About Us."To the world you are one person, to one person you are the world"
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Our Vision
We aspire to be a leader in our community to accept and embrace individuals with intellectual disabilities while empowering them to become contributing and successful members of society.
Meet Our Team
Vince Cotchen
Office Manager / Employment Specialist/Discovery
Vince works as an Employment Specialist at CrossRoads. Upon graduating with a degree in English and a minor in music from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008, his intentions weren’t always to become involved in supported employment services. A spinal infarction a week after graduation lead Vince to return to the area for medical services and changed his perspective on what he wanted to do with his life. In lieu of seeking a career as a columnist who would just write funny stuff and hope someone pays for it” Vince began working different fields as his body healed. He covered football games for the Tribune Democrat, worked as assistant band director with Richland, and as director of religious education at his church. Finally, a few years shy of a decade since his injury, Vince got involved working as an Employment Specialist, performing assessments, job development, and job-coaching for people with disabilities. Vince joined Crossroads in late 2017 and plans to work there as long as they continue to provide him with an unlimited amount of pens at no cost. Vince is currently working on his certification in Discovery.
Ashley Allen
Clinical Coordinator
Ashley started with our sister company in the spring of 2017 as a Direct Support Professional working in the field with clients. She was promoted to Clinical Records Officer to organize, maintain and confirm documentation. She was then moved over to the position of Clinical Coordinator in the fall of 2019. Ashley works one on one with clients, staff and families on coordinating imperative supports, guiding staff to a more Person-Centered Thinking practice and collaborating with other entities advocating for support to our individuals. Ashley is currently pursuing her degree in Psychology and Clinical Psychology, with a minor in Educational Counseling at Indiana University. Ashley has her Associates of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Ashley is a part of Nu Rho Psi, a nationally acclaimed Honors Society. She is planning to further her education and certificates to better assist in Person Centered Thinking training for all our DSPs. She is available and ready to help with any and all needs of our staff, clients, and agency partners!
Sunshine Pheasant
Records Compliance Officer/Payroll/Certified Investigator
Records Compliance Officer/Payroll/Certified Investigator
Sunshine came to Crossroads to Independence in November of 2018. Prior to coming to Crossroads, Sunshine worked with individuals with hearing and communication disorders and was Nationally Board Certified and Licensed in Hearing Instrument Sciences. She has years of medical practice management and billing experience as well. After giving birth to her second child, she left that demanding career, looking to continue helping those with disabilities that would also allow more time to be home with her two children. Sunshine began working as a Direct Support Person but then was promoted to Records Compliance Officer, where her experience in medical practice administration could be put to good use in our growing organization.
As Crossroads to Independence has continued to grow, Sunshine has completed additional training to become a Certified Investigator through the Office of Developmental Programs in 2022. Her commitment and determination to the program has given her the opportunity to streamline office practices with the team and she is now responsible for our company payroll. Sunshine enjoys the challenges of her position, is always eager to grow and learn, as well as being part of our dynamic admin team.
As Crossroads to Independence has continued to grow, Sunshine has completed additional training to become a Certified Investigator through the Office of Developmental Programs in 2022. Her commitment and determination to the program has given her the opportunity to streamline office practices with the team and she is now responsible for our company payroll. Sunshine enjoys the challenges of her position, is always eager to grow and learn, as well as being part of our dynamic admin team.
Rose Klinar
Chief Compliance Officer
Rose works as the Chief Compliance Officer. Rose started at CrossRoads in March of 2021 after 10 years in the field of transcription services with her previous employer. She left that field because she wanted to pursue something where she could help people in her community and make a difference in their lives. She enjoys spending time with her parents and siblings that live out of state. Rose recently became a Certified Investigator that will utilize her expertise to assist with incident reporting and investigations. Rose hopes to make a difference here at CrossRoads.
Chief Compliance Officer
Rose works as the Chief Compliance Officer. Rose started at CrossRoads in March of 2021 after 10 years in the field of transcription services with her previous employer. She left that field because she wanted to pursue something where she could help people in her community and make a difference in their lives. She enjoys spending time with her parents and siblings that live out of state. Rose recently became a Certified Investigator that will utilize her expertise to assist with incident reporting and investigations. Rose hopes to make a difference here at CrossRoads.
Jessica Rickabaugh
Behavior Supports Coordinator
Behavior Supports Coordinator
Jess works as a Behavior Support Specialist Supervisor at Crossroads. Jess is not only an employee, but she is also a mom (to two wonderful red heads), has a loving fiancé and a family that is her support system. Jess has a bachelor’s degree in Science received from University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown as well as receiving her Master’s Degree in Education from St. Francis University. Jess has played several different roles prior to joining the Crossroads family. Jess was an Elementary School Teacher at Greater Johnstown School District and a Behavioral Specialist for several different agencies throughout the area. After tying shoes and blowing noses for years, Jess decided she was ready for a change. In 2017 Jess began working as a DSP for Crossroads and in November of 2022, Jess accepted the position as Behavior Support Supervisor where she is responsible for overseeing the Behavior Services provided by Crossroads. Jess displays positive and strong communication skills, and is responsible for training staff, caregivers, and parents on Behavior plans. Jess is excited to begin a new adventure and to expand and continue to develop the program of behavior services that is offered to those individuals that are in need to best support our individuals. Jess is responsible for completing functional behavior assessments (FBAs), creating and implementing person-centered behavior plans focusing on goals and interventions per behavior, as well as training members of the team on such documents.
Crystal Rickabaugh
Supported Employment Coordinator
Crystal has worked with Crossroads To Independence since 2018. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a nurse at a family practice for 18 years and extended her love for working with people by becoming a Direct Support Provider part-time. Crystal has been providing top notch support to CTI clients since then and joined the team full time this year. She brings excellent people skills and organizational prowess to the company. Crystal works behind the scenes to make sure our working clients have everything that need to be successful and their jobs, while also providing direct support in the form of job coaching, career assessments, and job finding. Crystal has obtained her Support Employment Certification and participated in comprehensive training to allow her to maximize her abilities within this role as she plays a key part in helping our clients succeed. If you have a client interested in finding a job, or just learning about potential careers, Crystal is the gal to talk to!
About Our Support Team
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world!" - Gandhi
Direct Support Staff (DSP)
DSP’s provide services in home and community settings to assist individuals in acquiring, maintaining, and improving self-help, domestic, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community-based settings. DSP’s are responsible for reading, understanding and implementing the Individual Support Plan (ISP). DSP’s provide appropriate supports to the client empowering the individual to: have more opportunities for desired community involvement; live a life that is valued by their personal outcome measures and not the personal values of the staff; think and problem solve, helping the person to figure out what he/she wants to do; learn new skills that increase independence and decreases dependency on staff; and have increased self esteem through positive interactions focusing on abilities and not disabilities. DSP’s will implement BSP when this is necessary per an individual’s specific needs.
Community Participant Staff (CPS): DSP’s provide opportunities and support for community inclusion and building interests in and developing skills and potential for competitive integrated employment. DSP’s are responsible for reading, understanding and implementing the Individual Support Plan (ISP). DSP’s provide appropriate supports to the client empowering the individual to: experience a broad range of integrated activities that build on the participants interest, preferences, gifts and strengths while reflecting his or her desired outcomes related to employment, community involvement and membership. DSP’s will implement BSP when this is necessary per an individual’s specific needs.
Community Participant Staff (CPS): DSP’s provide opportunities and support for community inclusion and building interests in and developing skills and potential for competitive integrated employment. DSP’s are responsible for reading, understanding and implementing the Individual Support Plan (ISP). DSP’s provide appropriate supports to the client empowering the individual to: experience a broad range of integrated activities that build on the participants interest, preferences, gifts and strengths while reflecting his or her desired outcomes related to employment, community involvement and membership. DSP’s will implement BSP when this is necessary per an individual’s specific needs.
Behavioral Support Staff (BSS)BSS’s in collaboration with other members of the team completes a functional assessment, develops and directs the implementation of a behavior support plan which is individualized to each individual and to the family needs. The BSS identifies behavioral goals and intervention techniques and recommends behavioral change methods. BSS services are rendered in the home and community setting. The BSS provides training to staff, parents, and caregivers. The BSS must have strong communication skills (both verbal and written), ability to work independently, excellent follow up and documentation skills, as well as the ability to work well within a treatment team. BSS implements the Behavior Support Plan, crisis plan as developed by the Master’s Level Supervisor.
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Employment Specialist (ES)ES provide services to individuals seeking competitive employment in the community. ES’s are responsible for reading, understanding and implementing the Individual Support Plan (ISP). ES’s employ person centered and positive approach techniques to encourage individuals to achieve employment goals. ES’s will use research- ased strategies to ensure individuals reach their employment goals. ES’s provide appropriate supports to the client empowering the individual to: have more opportunities for desired community involvement; live a life that is valued by their personal outcome measures and not the personal values of the staff; think and problem solve, helping the person to figure out what he/she wants to do; learn new skills that build opportunities for employment.
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