Lutheran Social Services of
Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Foster Care Services Staff
Leadership Team
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Allison Novak
Foster Care Services Supervisor - Eau Claire
Allison has worked with the foster care services program since 2012. She's been in the roles of case manager, licensor, and the supervisor for the Eau Claire office and has worked in the child welfare field for over more than eight years. What she loves most about her job is working with the awesome staff, the wonderful foster parents, and the amazing children in the foster care program.
"I absolutely love seeing children become successful and meet their goals with the help of our foster parents and staff." Jacki O’Flahrity
Foster Care Services Program Manager
Since 2010, Jacki has served in many different roles on the foster care services team: foster care case manager, licensor, supervisor and the program manager. Jacki’s family, including a son and daughter, enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, movies, and music, and she enjoys painting, and photography.
“I find and support foster families so every child has a sense of family, belonging, love and support.”
Monica Hinkle
Foster Care Services Program Supervisor - Janesville, La Crosse and Appleton
Monica joined LSS in 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UW-Platteville and a master’s of social work from Aurora University. In her spare time, she likes hanging out with her nephew, traveling, spending time with loved ones and watching baseball.
“What I love about LSS is watching the kids we work with accomplish their goals.”Appleton
920-730-1343
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Meghan Presing
Originally from the Washington DC area, Meghan joined the FCS team in April 2017. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Christopher Newport University in 2015 and a master’s degree in social work with a certificate in trauma-informed care from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2016. Meghan has experience in school-based mental health and working with families impacted by substance use disorders. In her free time, Meghan enjoys spending time outside, reading and cooking.
“My favorite part about working with foster families is getting to see the progress foster children make as they work towards their goals. It never ceases to amaze me how supportive all of our foster parents are of the children in their care.”Eau Claire Office
877-967-5577
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Amanda Riehbrandt
Amanda joined the LSS Foster Care team in 2017. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with a minor in Family Studies and a Child Welfare Certificate from UW-Eau Claire in 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys doing crafts, such as crocheting and jewelry making, being out in nature, and experimenting with new recipes.
“It continues to amaze me the capacity of our foster families to open their home and hearts to foster youth and grow into a family that trusts, supports, encourages, and loves one another. It’s an honor to be working for LSS Foster Care.”
Amber Prokopiak
Amber earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from UW-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in social work from UW-Milwaukee. She joined LSS in April 2017 as a case manager. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, 4-wheeling and spending time with her family.
“It is very rewarding to be a part of a team who ensures that children/youth are safe, happy and healthy.”
Ashley Stark
Foster Care Services Licensor
Originally from Webster, Wisconsin, Ashley graduated from UW-Stout in 2007 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and obtained her social work certification. She worked as a care manager for eight years, assisting individuals with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities and the elderly in need of long-term support. She joined LSS in September 2016. During time off, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and step-daughter.
"I really enjoy working with my co-workers, foster families and children."
Emma Lutzke
Foster Care Services Case Manager
Emma graduated from Luther College in 2007 with a degree in social work. She began her career with LSS, working with adults in a group home setting and has been with the foster care program since 2010. She likes to tell people she intends to be a lifer with LSS! Emma is fortunate to combine her career with her hobbies and enjoys taking senior photos for youth in care.
"I love the youth, the families and the staff I have the privilege of working with! I love seeing young people start to believe in themselves and realize how incredibly capable they are."
Lisa Hudson
Foster Care Services Licensor
Lisa is a foster care licensor in the Eau Claire Office. In her 15 years of working at LSS, she has worked as an in-home therapist and a foster care services case manager, licensor and supervisor. Lisa also works as a mental health professional in the Equine Psychotherapy Program at the Trinity Equestrian Center. She completed her education in social work at UW-Eau Claire and UW-Madison. She is an adoptive parent of three teenagers who teach her so much about parenting and life. Her hobbies include soccer, enjoying nature and scrapbooking.
“I am blessed to have two jobs I love and feel like I can make a difference for children and families."
Mary Kuhnert
Administrative Clerk
Mary has been with LSS since 2012 – initially as a volunteer working with senior citizens.
Her main job is to keep the client and foster home charts up-to-date and any other office work needed. Mary has many years of experience in the administration and bookkeeping business and calls that her passion.
“I have a wonderful team to work with. They make my job very enjoyable.”
Renee Berthiaume
Foster Care Services Case Manager
Renee graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2007. She has been with the foster care program since 2014, after joining LSS in 2009. She enjoys teaching the Foundations class to new foster care parents and seeing the change and growth that foster parents and children go through
In Renee’s free time, she enjoys time with family fishing, cheering on the Badgers, Blugolds, Packers, and Brewers and cooking and baking.
“My philosophy in life and work is that an ounce of action beats a ton of words.” La Crosse Office
608-788-5090
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Emily Gerke
Foster Care Services Licensor
Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies from Viterbo University and obtained her Social Work Certification. She then joined LSS in June of 2017 as a Licensor in the La Crosse area. Emily is also currently working on her Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. In her free time she enjoys working at a local group home facility for adolescents and being a part of a Cancer organization called Sunshine on the Trail in Bangor, WI.Lara Zimmerman
Lara earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Viterbo University and obtained her Social Work Certification. Lara spent four years working for a Native American tribe. During that time, Lara held several positions including: CPS Case Manager, Child Welfare Prevention Social Worker, and Child abuse/neglect Investigator. Lara recently joined the LSS team in April of 2017 serving the La Crosse area as a Case Manager. Lara has a passion for working with child with special needs, as Lara is a special needs mom herself. In her free time, Lara enjoys spending time with her two sons, Kaden and Kamden and her husband, Rian
“Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story.”
Janesville Office
608-752-7660
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Jamie Ruchti
Foster Care Services Licensor
Jamie earned her bachelor’s Degree in Social work from the UW-Whitewater in 2015. Jamie worked as an ongoing case manager in CPS. Jamie joined LSS in April 2018 as a foster care services licensor. When not working at LSS, Jamie works on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin. Jamie enjoys fishing, hiking and spending time with her family and friends.
“I enjoy working with foster families and my amazing co-workers! It is absolutely amazing to see the foster families and foster children grow.”