Board of Directors
Kari McKenna - President
MONROE COUNTY
Kari graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Human Services. Her career in Human Services began in 2010 working as an Ongoing Case Manager with Children's Service Society of Wisconsin in Milwaukee County. In 2013, she relocated to Monroe County where she began Ongoing Case Management for CPS until December 2014, when she accepted the position of Youth Justice Intake worker and still holds the position currently. Kari works with youth through the Intake Process and Court Systems in Monroe Count, holding a working caseload of intakes and Deferred Prosecution Agreements. She is also certified to run the Not a Number program through Love146, which is a Human Trafficking Prevention program for teens. Kari chairs the Nominations Committee. Kari has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2017.
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Stacy Ledvina - President Elect
MANITOWOC COUNTY
Stacy attended UW Oshkosh where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1995. In 1996 she went on to UW-Milwaukee where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work, with an emphasis in school social work. In September 1998 Stacy began working in the Youth and Family Services Unit at the Manitowoc County Human Services Department. In 2006 Stacy became the supervisor of the Youth and Family Services Unit, supervising both intake and ongoing youth justice services and programming. Stacy is devoted to the implementation of evidence-based and best practices for youth and their families. Stacy is chair of the Grants Committee. Stacy has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2008.
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Kris Fleming - Secretary
LAFAYETTE COUNTY
Kris has worked in child welfare/juvenile justice since 1993, as an initial assessment worker, CHIPS case manager, intensive in-home therapist, and YJ case manager. She was appointed to Juvenile Court Intake in August 2015. This is a court-attached intake position. She lives on an 80 acre farm in Lafayette County with her husband, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. Her daughter is a CSP social worker in Milwaukee and her son is a senior at Viterbo University, majoring in nursing. Kris is chair of the Legislation Committee. Kris has been a WJCIA Board member since 2015.
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Kathleen Bell - Treasurer
IOWA COUNTY
Katie is the Juvenile Court Intake and Truancy worker for Iowa County since January 2021. Aside from her main job roles, she also carries a caseload of juvenile and CLTS cases. Prior to Iowa County, Katie worked in Lafayette County as a Youth Justice worker for a year and in Franklin County, Ohio as a Family Services Manager (CPS and YJ) for a few years. Katie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from University of Wisconsin – Platteville in 2016. Katie Co-Chairs the Newsletter committee. Katie has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2022.
kathleen.bell@iowacounty.org
Kenny Cyracus
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY
Kenny Cyracus II is currently a Youth Justice Supervisor for Outagamie County Youth and Family Services. Prior to this role, Kenny served as a Juvenile Intake Social Worker in Outagamie County. Kenny has experience serving adults and at-risk youth in different areas throughout Wisconsin. While working closely with the Portage County District Attorney, Kenny developed and implemented Portage County’s first adult diversion program. This consisted of assessing and monitoring first time/low risk adults involved in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement Program. Kenny has a strong desire to work with at-risk youth and has been working with this population in some capacity since 2015. Kenny is passionate about working with youth, specifically in the areas of diversion and restorative justice. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 2018 from UW- Stevens Point. In 2019, he received his Master’s in Social Work from UW-Green Bay. Kenny is Chair of the Conference Site and Fianace Committees. Kenny has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2019.
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Cathrina Dunnum
VERNON COUNTY
Cathrina has been employed with Vernon County Department of Human Services since February 2015 and is a certified Social Worker. She started her career as a LTE position in Monroe County in December 2014 as a CPS initial assessment worker before being hired full time in Vernon County. Vernon County is small, rural county with nine social workers in the Child Welfare unit. She has primarily handled all youth justice cases from intake through case closure since July 2017. If there is an over flow of CPS cases, she also helps out with those investigations as well as taking access calls and on-call after hours. Cathrina received her BSW from Winona State University in December 2014. She currently Co Chairs the Conference Planning Committee. Catherina has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2019.
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Tracy Erickson
DUNN COUNTY
Tracy is a 2007 graduate of UW-Stout and is a certified Social Worker. She did her college internship with Eau Claire Juvenile Probation and was hired on as a Community Coach. Tracy then worked at Positive Alternatives Inc for 3.5 years until October 2010 when she became a Social Service Aide at Dunn County Human Services. In March 2014, she was hired as a Social Worker doing CPS on-going and YJ on-going. She transitioned to full YJ On-going before becoming the Juvenile Intake worker in 2016. Tracy conducts delinquency and truancy intakes, follows cases through the Court process and manages the Truancy Court cases. When away from work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Most of her free time is spent raising her three beautiful boys, ages 5,4,and 1. Tracy has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2020.
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Joy Lynn George
PIERCE COUNTY
Joy Lynn has been employed with Pierce County DHS since October 2002. In December 2019 she became the Youth Services Supervisor/CYF Program Manager for Youth Justice and CLTS programs. Prior to that she was the Juvenile Court Intake Worker and Lead Worker for the Youth Services Team for 5 years and before that she was an on-going Juvenile Justice Social Worker for 19 years. Prior to Pierce County she worked at Dunn County for 2 years and Polk County for 5 years doing on-going Juvenile Court Supervision. Joy Lynn graduated from UWRiver Falls in 1996 with her BSW and from Vermilion Community College in 1993 with her Associate of Arts Degree in Law Enforcement. She is a licensed/certified Social Worker in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She has been the President, President Elect and is the chairperson for the Information & Technology Committee. She is also a member of the Conference, Grant/Curriculum and Recognition Committees. Joy Lynn has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2008.
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Kathy Gourdine
FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Graduated in May of 2000 with a Master's Degree in Social Work from UWM, Kathy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work at UW-Oshkosh in 1993. She has been employed by Fond du Lac County Social Services since March, 1993, in the juvenile-resource unit. Kathy has been a WJCIA Board Member since 1995.
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Jacob Hanifl
DANE COUNTY
Jacob is a Social Worker working with Dane County Department of Human Services as a Youth Justice Ongoing Social Worker. Jacob has been in this role for over 3 years now; serving, supporting, and empowering court involved youth and their families. Prior to, Jacob has had roles of School Social Worker with the Sun Prairie Area School District; supporting students in the 6th through 9th grades. Jacob has worked in the School District of Beloit, as a Behavior Interventionist and Equity Liaison. In addition, Jacob has worked with the Madison Metropolitan School District; where he fulfilled the role of School Social Worker, supporting students and families going through the expulsion process. Jacob earned his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; where he studied Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Political Science. He then went on to earn his M.S.W. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jacob lives in Madison with his wife Debie, a fellow Social Worker. They both have one child each; both of whom are living in Chicago, IL and aspiring in the visual and performing arts. Jacob comes to this work with lived and shared experiences that somewhat mirror the experiences of the youth and families involved in our juvenile justice system. Indeed, he has had a number of encounters with the juvenile and adult system. While for many, this can be a burden and a barrier to one’s self-sufficiency, Jacob understands the commitment it takes to overcome as well as what may be needed in order to overcome such obstacles, as it relates to supporting our youth and their families. Nevertheless, Jacob’s professional and lived experiences would bring a diverse voice and perspective to the WJCIA Board of Directors team. Jacob has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2024.
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Barbara Holt
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
Barbara is a Juvenile Court Intake Worker assigned to work with students at CHANGE Academy, a self-contained special education program in the Sheboygan Area School District, and Juvenile Court Ongoing Cases. She has been employed in Sheboygan County since 1998 as a social worker and has worked in the Juvenile Court Intake Unit since 2001. She was assigned to Tower Academy (formerly called STRIVE) for 13 years and then served in the role of Manager- Juvenile Court Intake for 6 years. Barbara has been employed in the field of child welfare since 1997 after obtaining a BSW from UW-Whitewater. Barbara has been practicing mindfulness through yoga and meditation for over 15 years and teaching since 2008 when she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Yogaloft in Sheboygan. Since then she has participated in trauma-informed yoga and children's yoga trainings. Barbara has experience teaching yoga and meditation to diverse groups including in the workplace, to athletes, to children, and to at-risk youth and has a passion for making mindfulness practices accessible to everyone. Barbara enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends. Barbara Co-Chairs the Newsletter Committee. Barbara has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2016.
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Ben Janssen
MARATHON COUNTY
Ben Janssen attend University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Sociology. His career in Social Work began in 2012 working as a CPS Ongoing Social Worker in Sheboygan County. In 2014 he relocated to Stevens Point and worked for Portage County Health and Human Services in various positions including CPS Initial Assessment, Kinship/Subsidized Guardianship Coordinator, and Youth Justice Intake/Ongoing. During his time in the Youth Justice unit, he also coordinated Portage County’s first Youth Justice diversion program working closely with public and private entities with the same goal of diverting low risk youth from the traditional Youth Justice System. In 2023 Ben took a position at Marathon County Department of Social Services as a Youth Justice Social Worker serving both intake and ongoing cases. Ben has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2023.
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Rachel Johnson
ST. CROIX COUNTY
Rachel has been employed with St. Croix County Health & Human Services since March 2009. Rachel has experience in many areas of Children Services including Initial Assessment, Ongoing Child Protection and is currently in Youth Justice. Rachel carries a caseload that is primarily Youth Justice; however, continues to have some Child Protection responsibilities due to increased agency needs. Rachel has served on multiple internal committees within St. Croix County including Information & Technology, JET initiative and Coordinated Family Services. Prior to working for St. Croix County, she worked for Cottonwood Group Home for teen girls in Amery, WI. Rachel graduated from UW-River Falls in 2007 with her BSW. Rachel has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2023.
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Kerry Krista
CHIPPEWA COUNTY
Kerry has been a Social Worker since 1995. She received her Social Work degree from UW-Eau Claire. She has worked in Corrections, Residential, and did Protective Services in Clark and Rock Counties. In 2016 Kerry became the 3rd ever Juvenile Court Intake worker for Chippewa County (following behind Mike Weber and Gary Lefler). She had done on-going Juvenile Justice for 13 years in Chippewa County prior to taking the Intake position. Kerry is the chair of the Legislative Committee. When away from work, Kerry enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking, and going to the cabin. Kerry has been a WJCIA Board member since 2015.
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Linzi Luck
LA CROSSE COUNTY
Linzi Luck is a Youth Justice Social Worker for La Crosse County. She graduated in 2013 from UW-Platteville with her B.S. in Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice. Following college she took a year off from school and worked full-time providing in-home Autism therapy in the Beaver Dam, WI area. In 2014, she went back to school for her Master’s in Social Work from UW-Madison and graduated in 2016. While in graduate school she interned for Briarpatch Youth Services during the 2014-2015 school year. While at Briarpatch, she provided intensive supervision to youth on county supervision in Dane County. During the 2015-2016 school year, she decided to try her hand at policy and program development and interned at the Dane County TimeBank helping with running and developing their new community based Youth Court Program. This program worked to divert those youth that received municipal citations and other minor delinquency charges (i.e. Disorderly Conduct) out of the juvenile system by providing them with restorative justice alternatives. These alternatives included, community service, research papers, or apology letters, to name a few. After graduation she wanted to continue working with youth and families involved in the youth justice system which led her to her current position at La Crosse County in 2016. Linzi Chairs the Membership Committee. Linzi has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2017.
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Jodi Petersen
PORTAGE COUNTY
Jodi graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and obtained her social work certification in 2005. She worked in residential treatment and juvenile detention prior to beginning her career with the Portage County Health and Human Services Department in 1997. Jodi worked as a juvenile court social worker providing intake and ongoing case management for juveniles involved in delinquency and JIPS for 13 years until becoming the Juvenile Justice Supervisor in June 2010. Jodi has served on many of the WJCIA committees; she chaired the Nomination Committee from 2009-2016, and has chaired both the Corporate By-Laws and Mission & Position Statement Committees since 2017. Jodi has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2006.
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Kim Schwarz
LANGLADE COUNTY
Kim Schwarz has been employed by the Langlade County Juvenile Justice Department since 1998. Initially hired as the Intensive Supervision Worker, her roles have expanded to include a variety of Juvenile Justice Intake responsibilities. Along with conducting all Intake Inquiries for the county, she runs the Intensive Supervision Program and carries a caseload consisting of both on-going formal supervision and Deferred Prosecution Agreements. Kim graduated from UW- Eau Claire in 1996 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Prior to working with the county, she was employed in a residential setting. Kim Co-Chairs the Conference Planning Committee. Kim has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2017.
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Anton Seban
MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Anton currently works as a Human Service Worker for Milwaukee County Children, Youth and Family Services. He is part of a specialty team of Youth Advocates working with high-risk youth in conjunction with the Milwaukee County Accountability Program (MCAP), those already involved with the DOC as well as those in aftercare. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University in Public Affairs with the concentration in Public Policy and Criminal Justice. He is a father to 5 boys (ages 8, 18, 23, 24 and 26) and is very active in my community as a volunteer with the school helping with both baseball and football from T-ball ages all the way through the varsity programs. He also works on the side in assisting with Pitbull rescue and socializing. Anton has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2023.
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Sarah Socha
PRICE COUNTY
Sarah has been employed with Price County since 1991. Her duties have included child protection investigations, foster care, and monitoring DPA’s. In 1995 she became the Chief Juvenile Intake Worker with duties including juvenile intake inquiries and following each case through DPA or Delinquency adjudication to closure. In 2000, she assisted in developing and coordinating the Price County Teen Court Program. In 2004 she accepted the position as the Children and Youth Supervisor and supervises the areas of juvenile court intake, initial assessment, child protection, foster care, and ongoing services. She served one term as president of WJCIA in 2007-2008. She has served on conference, legislative and training committees and is the chair of curriculum committee. Sarah has been a WJCIA Board Member since 1996.
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Ashley Timmerman
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Ashley graduated with a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice from UW-Whitewater in 2007 and earned her MSW from UW-Milwaukee in 2010. She has worked in Jefferson County since early 2011 in various roles. Prior to Jefferson County, she worked in Milwaukee County. For many years, she worked in Initial Assessment for CPS but did crisis work coverage for Jefferson County's emergency mental health and after-hours unit. For the past several years, she has also been a field supervisor for the Title IV-E students at UW-Madison. She is currently in a hybrid role where she provides services to both CPS and Youth Justice, focusing on prevention and school-based collaboration. She also does voluntary kinship for Jefferson County. Ashley has been a WJCIA Board Member since 2022.
ashleyt@jeffersoncountywi.gov
Melissa Williams
WASHBURN COUNTY
Melissa has been employed with Washburn County Health and Human Services since November 1999, as the Juvenile Court Intake worker. Melissa handles all the juvenile intake responsibilities and supervises all the juvenile cases. Prior to working in Washburn County, Melissa worked in Polk County for 7 years doing on-going juvenile supervision. Melissa joined the board in 2006, and currently serves on the conference and recognition committee. She chaired the training committee from 2009-2017.
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