Expo connects families with services

A first-time disability services expo organized by Crossroads Community Services Board brought 59 providers to Farmville on Nov. 5, connecting families with resources and opening the door for expanded services in rural Southside Virginia. Held at the Firemen’s Sports Arena, the Disability Services Resource Expo exceeded organizers’ expectations, attracting agencies from across Virginia and residents seeking information about programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event was designed to address a persistent challenge across Crossroads’ seven-county service area: Families often struggle to find specialized services, while organizations that provide those services may be unfamiliar with the needs of rural communities. Elyssa Long, intellectual and developmental disabilities coordinator for Crossroads, said the expo grew out of concerns about the lack of of available resources and the difficulty families face navigating service systems.

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