About Us
Dedicated Educators
Our staff is committed to protect the health, safety, rights, and overall well-being of the youth in care at Crossroads. Every staff member or volunteer who has regular contact with residents will complete the mandatory requirements as directed by the PA Department of Public Welfare. Additionally, all employees and volunteers are required to submit a PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History, and F.B.I. clearance before he/she will be able to work alone with youth. All employees are also medically cleared prior to having any contact with youth. All teachers are PA certified and are eligible to teach primary, secondary, and/or special education students. You can email on our staff by clicking the name of any underlined staff member.
First-Rate Curriculum
The Crossroads Alternative Education / Private Academic Program was designed for students whose needs were not successfully being met in the traditional classroom setting. A positive learning experience encourages the student to achieve success and to develop the skills and personal attributes needed to become a productive member of society. Through the use of a safe and structured learning environment, where discipline in the classroom is the norm and individual attention can be afforded to each student, our goal is to instill the necessary self-esteem and self-discipline in our students to keep them in school and prepare them to return to the regular school setting.
Crossroads Alternative Education / Private Academic Program is housed in two separate facilities. These facilities are located at 1243 Roemer Blvd. and 1246 Roemer Blvd., both in Farrell, Pennsylvania. The program employs a Director of Alternative Education, an Assistant Director of Alt. Ed., two Deans of Students, a staff of full-time teachers and part-time counselors, as well as additional personnel to help provide supervision of the classrooms.
Crossroads Alternative Education / Private Academic Program currently accepts both male and female students ranging in grade level from 6th to 12th grade. The boys and girls are educated in different buildings. Crossroads feels that by educating the boys and girls at different locations we are able to provide a safer and more focused educational environment for our students.
Students are accepted for enrollment in Crossroads Alternative Education / Private Academic Program by recommendation of their home school district. This includes students who have exhibited to any marked degree any or all of the following conditions; disregard for school authority, including persistent violation of school policy and rules, display of or use of controlled substances on school property or during school-affiliated activities, violent or threatening behavior on school property or during school-related activities, possession of a weapon on school property, commission of a criminal act on school property, misconduct that would merit a suspension or expulsion under school policy, and habitual truancy.
Every student in the Alternative Education / Private Academic Program at Crossroads will be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness to return to the home school. This opportunity requires a sincere commitment on the part of the student to regular attendance and high expectations in behavior as well as academic achievement. Each student’s eligibility to return to their home school will be considered on an individual basis after being enrolled in Crossroads Alternative Education / Private Academic Program for 45 school days. The student will remain at Crossroads Alternative Education / Private Academic Program until the student’s home district agrees that the child is ready to return.
Vision and Mission Statement
Vision:
It is the intent of Crossroads Group Homes and Services to present a comprehensive program that would be
therapeutic and rehabilitative, while maintaining consistency, structure, and accountability for each individual
child, resident and/or student. High standards are ever present for all staff and students. Appropriate
behaviors are reinforced and rewarded. The philosophy is supported using external controls and a system that
measures both positive and negative behaviors. Crossroads will focus on creating a family lifestyle for each
child. Here, they have the opportunity to interact and participate in daily situations that would encourage and
develop skills to enhance their abilities to either return to their family homes, local school districts, and
communities or live independently as productive young citizens.
Mission:
The purpose of Crossroads Group Homes and Services is to provide a community based, residential group
home setting for at-risk adolescents in need of an out of home placement and/or educational services.
Crossroads is committed to the care, custody and control of its residents using behavior modification
interventions and therapeutic counseling. Our mission is to teach adolescents the skills needed for either a
successful reintegration to their families and communities or prepare them for independent living .
counseling
Counseling Services are offered to each program resident. A master’s level developmental counselor conducts individual sessions to address the need of each resident (development strategies) in order for them to perform to their potential at Crossroads. The counselor also helps facilitate the youth in creating goals for themselves while at Crossroads and plan for future goals after they leave. Each resident will also be assigned a personal counselor who conducts weekly sessions to discuss treatment issues, goals, behaviors, and to evaluate the youth’s progress. An individualized service plan will be developed for each resident to assess progress.
A master’s level certified drug and alcohol counselor will conduct assessments and provide weekly drug and alcohol awareness group sessions as well as individual sessions for those who meet the criteria.
A doctorate level counselor provides psychological testing as well as sexual abuse and sexual identity counseling for those youth in need. These services are available through contracted services and the sessions can take place at Crossroads.
Direct care staff will conduct daily “Crossroads Conference” sessions which are held in a formal group setting to discuss and resolve problems/ concerns that the resident may have encountered while at Crossroads. This is also an opportunity for the youth to clarify rules, policies, and expectations while at Crossroads. Direct care staff will also supervise a weekend “Reflections” group to address personal needs and concerns. Staff will encourage residents to participate in this open, free expression forum.
Family counseling sessions with a master’s level therapist will be offered for those youth who have been identified in their court order as in need of this service. Weekly sessions may be offered to facilitate family growth, communication, and unity.
Parenting classes for both the residents, when applicable, and for the parents of the residents will be available as requested by the youth’s referring agency. A master’s level therapist will also provide this.
An initial clinical interview will be conducted for each resident by a master’s level in-house consultant. Referrals made by the consultant for outpatient services, that may provide support for the youth that exceeds the expertise of Crossroads’ staff, will be transported to counseling accordingly. Whether it is individual or group, in-house or outpatient services, counseling will aid in emotional stability.
Our Staff
Contact Information
Our staff is committed to protect the health, safety, rights, and overall well-being of the youth in care at Crossroads. Every staff member or volunteer who has regular contact with residents will complete the mandatory requirements as directed by the PA Department of Public Welfare. Additionally, all employees and volunteers are required to submit a PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History, and F.B.I. clearance before he/she will be able to work alone with youth. All employees are also medically cleared prior to having any contact with youth. All teachers are PA certified and are eligible to teach primary, secondary, and/or special education students. You can email on our staff by clicking the name of any underlined staff member.
Alex Giroski Executive Director of Operations agiroski@crossroadsprivateschool.org
April Kohnen Education Director akohnen@crossroadsprivateschool.org
Anthony Retone Residential Program Coordinator aretone@crossroadsprivateschool.org
Maranda Addison Residential Program Coordinator maddison@crossroadsprivateschool.org
Angelo Kostas Health and Safety Director akostas@crossroadsprivateschool.org
Erica Owens Special Education/Grant Writing eowens@crossroadsprivateschool.org
Contact Us
If you have questions about the opportunities available to you in our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Crossroads Private School and Group Homes
1243 Roemer Blvd. Farrell, PA 16121
PHONE 724-983-8350 FAX BOYS (724)983-1367 GIRLS (724)983-0263
Hours
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 3:30pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
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