Blog
Strong Starts: Laying the Groundwork for a Successful Crossroads Program
Nov
The first weeks of any Crossroads program lay the foundation for everything that follows.
When that foundation is solid, facilitators feel confident, and partners stay informed. Then, Crossroads becomes more than a class. It becomes a trusted part of your system.
Whether you’re launching Crossroads for the first time or expanding into a new site, this post will walk you through the essential pieces that make up a strong start and how to put them in place from day one.
What Makes a Crossroads Program Strong?
The most effective programs, regardless of setting, share five core elements:
- Clarity on Referrals
Every strong program begins with clear referral pathways. Who is appropriate for Crossroads? What behaviors, offenses, or risk levels are you targeting? And what information do facilitators need before a participant walks in the door?
That’s why we recommend using our Crossroads Referral Form – a simple, structured way to collect and communicate the right details early. It sets the tone and streamlines coordination between agencies and facilitators.
- Confident, Supported Facilitators
Facilitators who succeed aren’t just trained, they are set up for success. That means they have:
- A clear plan for scheduling and class setup
- Access to referral information and class materials
- A consistent approach to tracking data and reporting outcomes
If you’re onboarding a new site or facilitator (or it has been a while since you facilitated), the Getting Started with Crossroads: Quick Start Guide for Implementation is the perfect tool to structure that launch whether you’re working in a school, court, community agency, or custody setting. Download it using the form at the end of this post!
- Tools for Progress and Accountability
Crossroads is built on measurable behavior change. That’s where our Pre/Post Test System comes in.
Participants take a structured assessment at the start and end of the program. The results generate three reports, one of which is an Individual Summary Report. This report is a simple, but powerful, snapshot of how thinking has shifted over time.
When combined with the other two reports:
- the Progress Report (for mid-program updates), AND
- the Discharge Summary (for final outcomes and feedback),
…you have a complete reporting package you can share with probation, courts, or any referring professional. These tools don’t just show compliance, they show growth.
- Connection Between Curriculum and Casework
This is where Cog Talk bridges the gap. Cog Talk is a free resource for probation officers, caseworkers, school counselors, or anyone referring youth or adults to Crossroads. It offers:
- A clear overview of what’s being covered in each program
- Weekly talking points that follow the participant’s journey
- A way to reinforce learning outside of class
With Adult and Youth editions available, this tool helps referring professionals stay engaged with participants by providing questions they can ask about what’s being learned, without needing to sit in on sessions.
- Access to Ongoing Support
You’re not in this alone. Every certified Crossroads site has a dedicated Account Manager – someone who understands your setting and can help you implement the curriculum with clarity and confidence. If you’re unsure how to roll out a program across multiple sites, want help with staff transitions, or need someone to review your implementation plan, your Account Manager is your first call.
Read more about what your Account Manager can do for you.
Don’t Just Start. Start Strong
The difference between a struggling program and a sustainable one often comes down to how it was built.
Download the Getting Started with Crossroads: Quick Start Guide for Implementation to get:
- Referral templates
- Pre/Post Test instructions
- Reporting forms
- Launch checklists
- And more
It’s everything you need to set your program up for success—right from the start.