Contact Information

39 South Third Street
Oakland, Maryland 21550
Telephone: (301)334-8449
FAX: (301)334-9633
E-mail:

Services Offered

Day Habilitation Program, Sheltered Workshop/Vocational Day Program, Supported Employment, Family Support Services, Individual Support Services, Respite Care, Community Supported Living Arrangements, Residential Services, Transportation

Individuals Have the Following Types of Disabilities:
Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders, Deafness/Severe Hearing Impairments, Blindness/Severe Visual Impairment, Orthopedic Impairment, Behavioral Problems, Muscular Dystrophy, Mental Disorder, Speech/Language Impairment, and other undetermined Disabilities.

Number of Individuals Currently Being Served: 100+

Ages Served: 17 and Older

Home Region of DDA: Western

Counties Served: Allegany, and Garrett Counties

Year Established: 1979

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Mission Statement

APA (Appalachian Crossroads) operates for the purpose of providing personnel, services, activities, programs, and facilities for the evaluation, training, employment, socialization, support, and transportation of persons who have developmental disabilities, handicaps, economic disadvantages, or are aged, to enable them to become more productive and functional members of society or to promote their quality of life or maintain themselves in the community.

Unique and Distinctive Qualities

Appalachian Crossroads provides a full range of program models, services, supports and options. Appalachian Crossroads is serving individuals who are; profoundly handicapped to very mildly handicapped, young adults to seniors, in good health to having complex medical needs. Day program models range from day habilitation to placement and support in competitive employment. Community Living Support Services include agency owned homes with awake-night coverage, supporting individuals in their own apartments, respite care, social/recreational activities, and more.

Services and supports are arranged in accordance with individual preferences and needs within the limits of funding constraints and regulations. Program models can be blended. Appalachian Crossroads is always open to discussing and exploring any and all options to provide people with services that fit their special situations.

Garrett County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State. Appalachian Crossroads created three business that enable them to provide opportunities for people to work. In 2005 these businesses paid participants $128,282 in wages and bonuses.

Discuss How Your Agency Has Utilized The "Ask Me!" Survey Results.

The "Ask Me!" results confirms APA's efforts to provide respectful and individualized services and supports that enhance people's lives.

Appalachian Crossroads is in the top 20% for 6 out of the 8 quality of life domains of the survey. APA is very pleased that the results seem to clearly indicate that the people APA serves are well among those who have the highest overall satisfaction with their lives, when compared to individuals served by other agencies in Maryland.

When asked if their job looks good to others, 91% of the Appalachian Crossroads respondents said yes compared to the state average of 67%.

The "Ask Me!" Survey Results is available for the general public

Discuss your quality assurance practices, including any agency accreditations

Quality is determined for each individual by each individual's satisfaction and well being. We invest time in talking with the people we serve to find out if they are satisfied and seek to make changes for them if they are not.

An experienced and trained staff is a vital factor in providing and maintaining quality services. APA has been very successful in retaining good people as the following table shows.

Quality assurance starts with values based leadership that must come from people rather than processes. With that said, APA has many overlapping processes and procedures for training, delegating, monitoring, inspecting, reviewing, reporting, evaluating and so forth.

How Does Your Agency Support People In Becoming Active Members Of Their Community?

APA absolutely believes in people having opportunities to develop friendships and become active members of the community. APA seeks to help people participate in activities that interest them and to be with people they want to be with. Within each program APA look for ways for individuals to have active participation in the community in ways that they want. Specific individual goals and plans are developed in accordance with an individual's wishes.

Some examples include:
Day and Work Programs

APA's day programs are unique in that they are right in town which enables people to make use of the shops, stores and restaurants during lunch time and breaks.

Most people routinely go out into the community to work.

APA provides "job coaching" to help people work at various businesses.

APA initiated a "Connections Project" to help people make friends and participate in activities with people, organizations, and businesses that share a common interest.

APA makes computers available and teaches people how to use them for emailing pen pals

Community Living Support Services

APA helps people find and live in their own apartments.

APA helps people to:

• get out to local activites with friends,
• participate in churches, clubs, fitness centers, karate classes,
• have guests over for dinner,
• go to the movies, a dance, a restaurant,
• get their driver's license,
• get to and from various appointments,
• have savings and checking accounts,
• file their tax returns,
• host a slumber party,
• celebrate holidays with families or friends,
• vote,
• go grocery, clothes, and Christmas shopping
• go on out of county shopping trips,
• go on vactions,
• move if they want to,
• use computers for emailing pen pals,
• go fishing, hunting, or camping,
• go to local sporting events, plays, concerts, fireworks.

Steps Individuals Must Take to Apply for Services

Please telephone Scott Hollingsworth, Director of Day Program or Cheryl Lockhart, Director of Community Living Support Services at (301) 334-8449 Mon-Fri between 9 am and 3:30 pm.

Special Considerations/Comments: None.

Funding Sources: DDA, DORS, MHA

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