Crossroads

Crossroads is a comprehensive day treatment program for women with substance abuse problems in New York City and serves as an alternative to detention/incarceration. The program is licensed by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). A National Institute of Justice-funded survey of women's programs conducted by Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice selected Crossroads as "one of a handful of the most promising and innovative programs" and a "national model."

Women are referred to Crossroads by a variety of sources including defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, parole officers, and New York City Department of Corrections staff at the Rose M. Singer Center. Regular reports are provided to the court, parole or other referral source, summarizing the woman's progress in treatment. Where the woman has successfully complied with project requirements, Crossroads advocates for an alternative sentence at time of conviction and sentence.

Crossroads operates Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Women are mandated to the program for a period of six months to one year. Individual clients' schedules are based on assessment of treatment needs and progress. The program proceeds in three stages: Stabilization and Treatment; Decision-making; Community Transition. Services provided include counseling, acupuncture, health care, employment readiness, and groups on domestic violence, incest, parenting, communication, and nutrition. Each woman is assigned to a case manager who is available to assist clients with issues such as housing and economic support. With case manager support, women who have lost custody of their children are helped to reestablish contact and custody.

Health Services
On site health services include a full medical exam, gynecological care (testing for HIV/AIDS, HEP B and C, TB and STDs is available). Trained peers assist women in developing life long preventative health care plans for themselves and their children. In addition, they help them identify appropriate health care providers in their home communities and accompany them on initial visits. Through this process clients become informed and confident health care consumers.

Employment and Transitional Services
Employment and Transitional Services begin following intake and orientation and are fully integrated into the program. Starting with an introduction to the world of work, clients progress through more intensive courses to help them prepare for their transition out of the program. Each participant prepares a personal mission statement based on her values as well as short and long term plans. Often their plans involved family reunification as well as their goals for education and employment. The program develops skill competencies in resume writing, interviewing for a job, and searching for employment. A financial literacy course teaches the women about budgeting, financial planning, issues related to credit and taxation. Peer support and team work build confidence, ensure accountability and provide motivation. Case managers, mentors and employment services complement the group work and provide one-on-one attention. Clients are referred to educational programs, vocational training, internships and community service opportunities. After years of unemployment, the changes Crossroads clients make during this phase are courageous and transformative.

One Crossroads graduate who gained employment, regained custody of one of her children and is attending college part time described her experiences as follows:

"Crossroads gave me the foundation that I need when I was discharged from the detoxification program and met life on life's terms head on. I was totally lost at that point in my life after living as an addict for twelve years. The staff as well as the other clients there became my anchor."

Peers
The Crossroads program draws heavily on the power of positive role models. Recent Crossroads graduates are employed to provide this essential support to clients. They serve as assistants in Employment and Transitional Services, support case managers and with training serve as health advocates. CCA's research consistently points to the importance of peer models and shows that peer support increases Crossroads retention rates. In an interview with one client describes the role of peers this way:

"All doors were closed… I lost all sense of being a human being… I wanted to change, but I was so scared of the change. So I need people to help me, to show me that they changed because if I didn't see any example that somebody else could come from a place like that and change, I don't think it would have happened…"