Crossroads History

CrossRoads was founded in 1973 by Guy Shilts, Bob Long and Professor Dick Wagner in a store front on Main Street in Janesville. Guy and Bob, two idealistic, long-haired, baby-boomers with compassion and skills, had graduated with Masters Degrees from UW-Whitewater and wanted to make a difference. CrossRoads was one of the first State certified outpatient clinics for mental health services in Wisconsin.

CrossRoads grew, adding psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and alcohol/drug counselors. As State Certification and Health Insurance Mandates became law during the mid-70's, CrossRoads presence in the health care community grew and prospered.

The stigma of seeking counseling for personal, emotional, mental health and substance abuse problems has diminished a great deal in 25 years. Treatment and therapeutic methods have been refined, and related technologies - especially in the area of medication - have brought beneficial results to thousands in our community. And, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are now commonly found in the workplace to help troubled employees.

CrossRoads' trail-blazing in the use of technology began in 1990 with the development of a sophisticated computer system that manages the complex and dynamic data needs and demands of the organization, both clinical and administrative.

And through it all, CrossRoads is still about making a difference, about helping people.

Accomplishments

- On Board to start treatment group home for delinquents - 1st in the state to do so (Beginnings).

- Founded a drop-in youth center called the Circuit Rider Nursing home consulting in Beloit

- Taught Man Power Development Training Act

- Co-founded "Child Abuse and Neglect Network", the first task force to address needs of children at risk

- First to integrate AODA & Mental Health treatment and services, now a common occurence

- Partnership with Alcohab to use group home model for substance abuse; also, Parkside partnership

- First Group Home for girls (""Harmony")

- First Group Home for kids coming out of corrections ("Pathways")

- First to enter into insurance contracts in this new age of health plans and HMOs

- Started co-dependency treatment groups and facilitated co-dependency self-help community groups

- First to develop EAPs in this area - first contract signed in 1976.

- Day Programs for child & adolescent mental health