PROGRAMS & SERVICES
The programs are primarily funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and are free of charge to families.
PACE offers a range of services that support and promote the well being of children in a holistic and systemic way. By encouraging the development of social, emotional skills, cognitive and physical skills, the child’s resilience, coping mechanisms and sense of self are enhanced.
All programs are available throughout Vancouver.
The Outreach Support Service is also available to centres in Richmond.
Referral forms are in the Adobe Acrobat file format (.pdf). To view these files, you must have Acrobat Reader on your system. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, click on the icon below to acquire it for free.
Outreach Support Services (to daycares and preschools in Vancouver and Richmond, and to school-age programs in Vancouver)
PROGRAM GOALS:
- To provide support and consultation to daycare, preschool and
school-aged programs where children aged 18 months to 12 years, (primarily
18 months to 5 years), are demonstrating emotional and/or behavioural challenges.
- To support children whose placement may be at risk, due to behaviours
exhibited, and help them continue to participate actively in natural settings within their community.
- To work together with centre staff to increase our understanding of the
program and/or a particular child/ren in order to develop strategies which foster the strength and capacity of the program as well as enhancing the child/ren’s overall growth and emotional health.
- To work in partnership with the Vancouver Aboriginal Child Development
Program, as well as the Vancouver and Richmond Supported Child Development Programs.
- To work together with parent/s and guardian/s and centre staff where
child specific support is requested, making the intervention service more systemic and change for the child more sustainable.
◊ Outreach Support Services - Referral For Service Form [PDF]
◊ Outreach Support Services - Outline [PDF]
◊ Outreach Support Services - Orientation To Agency [PDF]
[back to top]
Supporting Healthy Transitions
- The purpose and mandate of the Supporting Healthy Transitions program is to reduce the emotional impact on children, birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster parents when there is a plan for a child to move from one family to another.
- The goals are to prevent the traumatic breaks in attachment when children lose all contact with a primary attachment figure; reduce the cumulative losses for children during the transition by creating a relationship between the foster, birth or adoptive parents before the move happens; and to help the families develop a comprehensive and collaborative plan for the child’s move to reduce the stress/trauma to the child and the supporting adults.
- This project was originally funded by a grant from the Victoria Foundation and guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of Mangers and Clinical Directors from both government as well as community agencies. Temporary funding continues through by the Ministry of Children & Family Development.
- Vicky Probert, Supporting Healthy Transitions Program, Family Counsellor
Email: vprobert@telus.net,
Phone: 778-885-9035
◊ Supporting Healthy Transitions - Outline [PDF]
◊ Supporting Healthy Transitions - Section 1 of 2 part Referral form [PDF]
[back to top]
Family Program (including a therapeutic preschool)
PROGRAM GOALS:
- To provide an early intervention and prevention program for children
(aged 3 to 5) with significant emotional and/or behavioural challenges.
- To offer the child and family a range of supports, including a
play-based preschool program that focuses on the emotional, social, cognitive and physical growth of the child.
- To build on the family’s strengths and the child/parent relationship and
attachment, as well as supporting the overall growth of the child. Parent involvement is essential and an integral part of this family program.
- To work in partnership with the child’s family, caregivers and other
professionals, developing goals and a plan based on strengths and needs.
- To support children whose placement may be at risk, due to behaviours
exhibited, and help them continue to participate actively in natural settings within their community while participating in the preschool component of the Family Program (e.g. also attending daycare, preschool or transitioning to school).
◊ Family Program - Referral For Service Form [PDF]
◊ Family Program - Outline [PDF]
◊ Family Program- Orientation To Agency [PDF]
[back to top]
Therapy for Children – Play, Art & Expressive Arts
- Provides weekly therapy for children aged 3 to 10 years who have experienced trauma and exhibit significant emotional and behavioural challenges.
- Therapy for children includes play, art and expressive arts therapy.
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), as a sub-contract with Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) and Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services (VACFSS).
- An open Family Services file is required.
◊ Read More
[back to top]
Training to early childhood educators, parents, foster parents and other professionals working with children and families
- PACE Program offers a range of training opportunities to the community. Where funding is available, there is no cost to the community.
- Monthly observations of the Therapeutic Preschool are offered to small groups and includes sharing of the theory behind the strategies used with children with emotional and/or behavioural challenges.
- All training opportunities offer a certificate of professional development.
Contact PACE for upcoming opportunities
[back to top]
“PACE gave our son the caring, acceptance and support to safely work through all the losses in his life while gently nurturing the spark in
his soul.”
Adoptive Parents
Some of the therapeutic books
used by PACE staff with children
and families.
“Books are a great resource for helping children identify and release their feelings. Reading stories that relate to a child’s life can offer them insight, an experience of being understood
and not alone.”
Paul Gordon, staff member since 1992
“My Heart”
“My nephew attended PACE. What a wonderful place. PACE is full of patience and love, with well stirred in structure.”
Uncle
“My Family”
“The input and assistance that the consultants offer to the program is very beneficial. The communication is always respectful and objective, taking into consideration the needs of the children and the strengths of the staff and program.”
Leona Antoine
Coordinator, Singing Frog Aboriginal Head Start Preschool
PACE staff provide children with ideas and tools to help identify and express their feelings and thoughts.
Expressive arts are provided as a therapeutic outlet for children
We are a not-for-profit organization providing a systemic, collaborative, innovative and caring support that empowers children and families who have experienced significant emotional challenges. Through a range of services, we are partners in building capacity and strengthening community.
