County Executive Samantha Kerkman today announced the appointment of Rebecca Dutter to serve as director of the Kenosha County Department of Human Services, effective upon the upcoming retirement of longtime Director John Jansen.
Dutter will take over as director on May 30 on an interim basis, pending her appointment’s confirmation by the County Board. Jansen recently notified the county of his desire to retire effective May 29.
“John has been a valued member of the Kenosha County team for 37 years, the last 18 as Human Services Director,” Kerkman said. “I appreciate his many contributions over my past four years as County Executive, including his input into the county’s ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis, our landmark behavioral health contract with Lake Behavioral Hospital, the upcoming transition to a new Human Services Building, and the daily oversight of operations of all Human Services divisions. I wish him well in his retirement.”
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Kerkman said she is pleased to appoint Dutter, who has served as the department’s assistant director since July 2023.
“As the Assistant Director for the past three years, Rebecca has developed an intimate knowledge of the wide-ranging functions of the department’s divisions, building on her previous experience in Aging, Disability and Behavioral Health Services, and Adult Protective Services. I am confident she will be a strong leader of the entire department.”
Dutter was appointed to her previous division director role in 2020. Before that, she had more than 20 years of experience in the Adult Protective Services field as an investigator and supervisor.
“It’s an honor to succeed John Jansen as Human Services Director, and to lead the county’s skilled team of Human Services professionals who serve the community in many ways, providing vital services across a variety of fields,” Dutter said. “I look forward to building further upon our success as a department.”
Jansen joined Kenosha County in 1989 as a social worker. He subsequently held the positions of social worker supervisor and director of the Division of Children and Family Services before being appointed director of the Department of Human Services in 2008.
“I have had the privilege of working for Kenosha County Human Services in many aspects since 1989,” Jansen said. “I appreciate the support I have received throughout the years and believe Rebecca and the other leaders who hold key positions in Human Services are more than capable of continuing to provide the county with high-quality, cost-effective services.”
