Educational Navigator

The Educational Navigator Program began in January of 2020.  The program is a collaborative effort by the Sauk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and SSM Health to use education as a way out of recurring incarceration, poverty, and unemployment.  

The Educational Navigator program helps Sauk County residents with experience in the criminal justice system to obtain a GED or HSED.  The program specializes in individualized and flexible instruction and provides free tutoring, free testing, and incentives for students with perfect attendance and successful completion of GED test modules. To be eligible for the program participants must be Sauk County residents, be at least 18 years old, not currently have a high school diploma, and have had some past or present involvement with the criminal justice system. 

The Sauk County Educational Navigator program provides graduates the opportunity to have a better quality of life and to follow their dreams to a college degree, higher income, and new opportunities for better employment.  Individuals who earn their GED or HSED often have an improved family life and a reduction in domestic violence as a result of less stress from financial worries.  Graduates also have improved physical and mental health due to greater access to employment with health insurance benefits which allows for better quality of health and mental health care.  Individuals with a GED or HSED often obtain better jobs with better pay which allows them and their families access to better nutrition.  Graduates are usually more confident and hopeful about the future which reduces cases of anxiety and depression. 

To refer someone to the Educational Navigator program or for more information, contact Sasha Ripley at 608-393-0463 or by email at sasha.ripley@saukcountywi.gov.