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Q.
Who are we ?
A.
Cross Plains provides supports to adults with
disabilities. We strive
to provide people with a meaningful day.
For all of us a meaningful day differs based on our
preferences, interest and things that are important to us.
For most of us this would include feeling like a valued
contributing member of the community.
Q.
Who
do we serve and what type of service do we provide?
A.
Cross
Plains serves 76 individuals. The
types of supports that we provide are based upon preferences, need,
and choice. For many
people it is supported employment.
Q. What
is supported employment?
A.
This is where the individual has a job in their community and is
supported by a Cross Plains job coach.
The job coach helps the individual find a job of choice and
then supports them to maintain their employment.
Q. Where
are jobs provided?
A.
Some of the places where people are employed are
Wal-Mart, Hamilton
Medical Center, Mohawk, Bi-low, Captain D’s and other various
places in the community.
Q. What
other types of employment supports do
we provide?
A.
There
is a park crew who cleans all the community parks.
This is a group of individuals who are also supported by a
job coach. We also have
a couple some other groups of people that we refer to as enclaves
that work at Baron
and Mohawk.
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Q. How do
the senior citizens spend their day?
A. Just
like any other seniors the individuals supported at Cross Plains
want to retire. When
people are retired they have meaningful activities that provide the
same social and personal rewards that paid employment offers. Many of the seniors supported by a CP staff, attend the
senior center where they enjoy friend’s activities, and the
company of other seniors in the community.
Q. How
many people do we provide support for outside of the
center?
A.
Total community support accounts for over 50% of the people we
support.
Q. What other activities and support do we
offer?
A.
For the other people who are based at the center, Cross Plains staff provides activities that give them an interesting
meaningful day. Our
goal is for people to spend much of their day outside of the center,
and in the community. We
want people in the community to know that individuals with
disabilities can be contributing members and that they have gifts
and abilities to offer. Q.
How
do the people supported at Cross Plains give back to their
community?
A. We are involved in many volunteer activities which
include Meals on Wheels, Hamilton Medical Center, Tennessee
Aquarium, reading to children in school and others. Please see attached story.
This has been a wonderful way for them to
connect and give back to their community. Q.
What
kind of work is provided for the individuals based at the center?
A.
Individuals also work on contract work
that we procure from the local community.
This work is brought to the center from local companies and
provides people an opportunity to earn a paycheck.
Both Tandis and J & J have provided this support. The joy of receiving and cashing a paycheck is meaningful to
all! Q.
Does
the center include any type of computer lab or creatively
programs?
A. We have a computer lab with several touch screen
computers. This has
opened up a whole New World
for many people, giving them an opportunity to explore many new
things. One individuals
is a wonderful artist and has created some fabulous work that has
been used for cards and framed pictures. He would love an opportunity to market his work. Q.
How
do we assist people to build relationship and connect to their
community to replace -what kind of guidance is in place
to help people form relationships.?
A.
The people we support also want to belong and
develop friendships. Many
people with disabilities only have paid staff people in their lives!
Cross Plains assist people to develop relationships, and
connect to clubs, organizations, and churches. This enriches their lives and the lives of those they meet.
The individuals at Cross Plains have an interclub with Kiwanis
know as Action club. They
recently participated in a fundraiser and raised over $200 for Sleeping
Children Around the World.
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Q. How/Where/When
did CPCP begin?
A.
Cross Plains began in 1957 in Whitfield
County
Q. What Organization did the Cross Plains Community Partner evolve from?
A.
Cheerhaven evolved from a group of concerned citizens of
Whitfield County who recognized the need for programs and services
for children with developmental delays and mental challenges, later
expanding to serve adults with developmental
disabilities.
Q. What is the CPCP's Motto?
A.
Cross
Plains believes that supports for people with disabilities can be
greatly enhanced when provided within communities of concerned and
supporting people.
Q. Who are the people of CPCP?
A.
They are people devoted to the Developmental
Disabilities and their families in North Georgia. Meet our
Members.
Q. Who Sponsors
CPCP?
A.
Cross Plains Community Partners is funded by the United Way
DHR-Division of HH/DD/AD, and citizens of Dalton/Whitfield County
Q. Is CPCP accredited by an
organization and if so who?
A.
CPCP is accredited by CQL The
Council on Quality and Leadership.
Q. What is the
objective of CPCP?
A.
To learn from the individual and those that know them best what
is important to, and for the person?
Cross Plains strives to provide a person centered service
that focuses on as
defined by the individual. We
want to help people become connected active members of their
community. Ultimately
Cross Plains wants to afford people the opportunity with the level
of support needed, to make choices and decisions that will give them
personal quality of life.
Q. Can I
be a volunteer?
A. Yes.
There exist various opportunities for you to volunteer with Cross Plains. Contact one of our
Members.
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Q. How can I get more
information?
A. If you would like to discuss volunteer opportunities
available in your organization, please give us a call at (706)
278-8143, Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Q. What else can I do to
help?
A. Consider
employing a person with a disability at your organization.
Job carving, or customized employment is a great way for you
to consider employing a person with a disability.
You customize a job by taking an existing part of a job that
takes an employee way from his/her primary job responsibilities, and
employee a person with a disability to perform that part of the job.
This is a great opportunity for the person with a disability
and it provides you and your employees time to focus on primary job
responsibilities.
Become a friend or a natural support to a
person with a disability. Many
people have only paid supports in their life.
Volunteer
on one of our committees- Human Rights, Breakfast Club, Health and
Safety, participate in our community focus groups.
Q. How would an individual apply for
services?
A.
Individuals
wishing to apply for services may contact CP
directly, however, in order to receive funding for services individuals
should call: 770-387-5440, or toll free at 1-877-217-
4462 and request an application for services.
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