Wausau's Public Health and Safety Committee Hears Update on Community Outreach Specialist

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) -Wausau's Public Health and Safety Committee heard an update on the progress Community Outreach Specialist Tracy Rieger is making in reaching out to the city's homeless population.

Deputy Police Chief Matt Barnes says the returns on her investment have been immediate, especially when it comes to getting people into safe housing. "I think the number that Tracy's worked with and she's gotten housed, from the un-housed position, I don't know if it's seven or eight as of today. So, that's something we're very proud of."

Barnes says she is also following up with those people to make sure they can stay in that housing. "And that requires case managment. And the amount of effort it takes to continue to have daily contact to get people to do the things necessary to stay house, to make the choices necessary to have a landlord satisfied that you can stay."

He says the position is also benefiting from Rieger's institutional knowledge, which can help her track down people that may have missed or blown off appointments because they've trusted her for so long in her previous positions. "She's in a position to go find them. And then kinda jack them up, 'why didn't you come to this? Okay, well where ever you're at at that moment, we're going to deliver these services to you.' And that seems to be much more effective."

Alder Lisa Rasmussen says the city is also budgeting for a cash fund for Rieger for things like rental deposits or licensing fees to help the homeless population. "Certain things that are a barrier for someone who has nothing, but often is just the spark that's necessary to start them on that better path."

Barnes says one thing Rieger says she's in need of is a petty cash fund to help people with things like apartment deposits or licensing fees. He says in some cases it can also be used to help her make a connection with someone through a fast-food meal.

"Tracy came and said, 'man, I need some money.' And I'm like, 'for what?' And she's like, 'for one, McDonalds cheeseburgers because sometimes if I want to sit down and talk with someone, if they haven't eaten, I need to be able to feed them.'"

Rieger was not available for Monday's meeting, but will be a fixture at future meetings to provide updates to the committee.

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