About us

Our History

In 1957, a group of concerned citizens of Whitfield County recognized the need for programs and services for children with developmental disabilities. Cheerhaven evolved from this concern, later expanding to serve adults with disabilities. Cheerhaven services focused on supporting and serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Northwest Georgia area. Because all efforts and success relied on partnering with businesses, families, neighbors and other community agencies, Cheerhaven became Cross Plains Community Partner, Inc. Now…Cross Plains, a private non-profit agency, supports and serves men and women with developmental disabilities and their families in Northwest Georgia. Programs consist of Community Access, Supported Employment, and Support Services.

Mission

To be a partner in creating a community where all people have the opportunity for choice, leadership and employment.

Vision

Every person at CPCP being able to say, “I am an important part of my community”

Values

Trust: Empowering others to do their part in meeting the organization’s goals

Respect: Listening and learning from one another

Partnership: Working together to accomplish our mission

Community/Day Services

Day Services are provided either in the community or at Cross Plains. How people spend their day is determined by using person-centered approaches to discover people’s interests, gifts, and needs for support.

We support people with skills for daily living and focus on individual desires and priorities. Cross Plains realizes that basic assurances for health, safety, and welfare are fundamental to enhancing personal quality of life, but should be addressed within the context of community life. Each person has the opportunity to build community connections and create a meaningful day through personal choice.

Activities related to Day Services include:

  • Transportation to community locations and events
  • Support connecting with friends in the community
  • Volunteering and civic engagement
  • Leisure and recreational activities
  • In-center and community-based art sessions

Supported Employment

Our Supported Employment services assist both the employer and an individual with a disability to fulfill their employment needs. We contract with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) to provide employment services and with the Department of Behavioral Health & Development Disabilities (DBHDD) for long-term follow along employment services.

For the individual with a disability-the service provides career development through a discovery process that identifies strengths, skills, interest and potential contributions to the workforce and the supports needed to be successful.

The person is assigned a job coach that will assist them with resume development, job search, interview preparation and on-the-job coaching.

For the Business with a vacancy that needs to be filled – the service provides a good match with an employee who has the skills, attributes and enthusiasm needed for the job.

Our benefits include:

  • Inclusive and diverse workforce
  • Any applicable tax benefits
  • Job coaching to ensure quality work (at no cost to the employer)
  • Dedicated employees
  • Addition to a positive work culture
  • Non-tangible benefits that the employer provides to the employee is an opportunity to feel valued, make connections, gain greater economic self-sufficiency and be a contributing member of the community.

Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a nine-month internship for young adults with disabilities that involves full immersion into the workplace.

Hosted on-site at a local business, the program provides on-the-job and classroom instruction to provide program interns with the job experience, training and soft skills necessary to succeed in the workforce and gain independence.

Cross Plains is a partner with two local Project SEARCH sites; one for high school students and one for young adults who have already graduated.

Get Involved

Our philosophy is centered around community partnerships. And we know that support from our community is essential to our success.

Employ

  • Employ a person with a disability who would fit your business needs
  • Be a member of our business advisory council
  • Provide a tour of your business for someone that is discovering their ideal employment

Donate

  • Corporate donations of annual fundraising events
  • In-kind donations (computers, art supplies, vehicles, etc.)

Volunteer

  • Be a 1-on-1 friend with someone with a disability through our FRIENDS program
  • Play on our community baseball team
  • Use your interest and skills to teach a cooking, art, or other class for those in our services
  • Bring a group of your friends or coworkers to help us plant flowers, perform groundskeeping or wash our vehicle fleet

Contact us

2738 Underwood Road, Dalton
GA 30721, USA
706-278-8143
crossplains@crossplainscp.org
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8am to 4pm