Continuing Education Opportunity/Pathways

The Continuing Education Opportunity (CEO) Program provides students with options for obtaining the GED or working toward a high school diploma through the Pathways program in conjunction with Des Moines Public Schools. In GED classes, students build skills in math, reading, writing, social studies, and science in order to pass these five official GED tests and obtain a GED diploma. In the Pathways program, students recover credit and obtain a high school diploma through project-based learning. In both programs, students participate in a life skills course that assists them in their journey toward independent living.

Eligibility

Students involved with Juvenile Court may be referred to either of these two programs to continue their education in an alternate setting. To enter the GED program, students need to be at least 17 years old or they need to obtain a court order to complete the GED at 16.

PACE School/Academic Programs

Day Program

The PACE Day Program is a gender-specific alternative educational program with a skill-building component for middle school or high school youth experiencing social, behavioral or emotional problems.

Continuing Education Opportunity/Pathways

The Continuing Education Opportunity (CEO) Program provides students with options for obtaining the GED diploma or working toward a high school diploma through the Pathways program in conjunction with Des Moines Public Schools.

Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek Campus is the West Des Moines School District’s alternative high school, where students receive a more individualized setting and still earn a high school diploma.

 

Day Program

The PACE Day Program is a gender-specific alternative educational program with a skill-building component for middle school or high school youth experiencing social, behavioral or emotional problems. Services include:

Eligibility

Must be enrolled in a Des Moines Public School, have XIX, and actively participate in Remedial Services through the PACE Outreach Services Program.

 

Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek Campus is the West Des Moines School District’s alternative high school. Students are typically referred by their home school counselors when struggling in West Des Moines’ traditional setting. Students in this program receive a more individualized setting and still earn a high school diploma.

Eligibility

Available to students between 15–21, enrolled in West Des Moines and determined by the district to be better served by an alternative setting. Services are funded by a contract with the West Des Moines School District.

 

Court-Based Intervention

Early Services Program

The Early Services Program is an informal probation program for youth ages 12 or younger who are brought to Juvenile Court due to a misdemeanor offense (shoplifting, simple assault). Caseworkers provide counseling and direction to the youth and work with the parents to ensure they have adequate parenting skills and are connected to necessary community resources.

Diversion Tracking and Monitoring

Court-Based Intervention is an informal probation program for first- or second-time misdemeanor offenders (shoplifting, simple assault) ages 12–17 who have not been adjudicated delinquent. Services include:

A youth’s case will be closed without further disposition if he/she successfully completes the program requirements.

Eligibility

Youth must be involved with Polk County Juvenile Court and referrals made by Juvenile Court Intake Officers. The program is funded through a contract with Polk County Juvenile Court.

PACE Counseling/Treatment Programs

Behavioral Health Intervention Services/ Outreach

PACE Outreach Services assist children and youth experiencing social, behavior or emotional problems in the home, at school or in the community setting.

Substance Abuse Services

Substance Abuse Services is an outpatient drug treatment program that serves males and females under age 18 who are experiencing problems at school or in the community due to substance use.

Juvenile Court School-Based Liaison

The JCSL program operates out of Greater Des Moines middle school and high schools, providing on-site supervision to youth under the jurisdiction of the court system or who are determined to be at-risk for Juvenile Court involvement

Court-Based Intervention

Court-Based Intervention is an informal probation program for misdemeanor offenders (shoplifting, simple assault)  who have not been adjudicated delinquent. The Early Services Program covers youth under age 12 while Diversion Tracking and Monitoring covers youth ages 12–17.

Saturday Sanctions

The Saturday Sanctions program provides a consequence for youth who are not complying with their formal or informal probation requirements

 

Juvenile Court School-Based Liaison

The JCSL program operates out of Des Moines middle schools and high schools, providing on-site supervision to youth under the jurisdiction of the court system or who are determined to be at-risk for Juvenile Court involvement. Youth receive:

Eligibility

Referrals are received from Juvenile Court Officers or school administrators. Services are funded through a contract with Juvenile Court and Des Moines Public Schools.

 

Behavioral Health Intervention Services/          Outreach

PACE Outreach Services assist children and youth experiencing social, behavior or emotional problems. The goal of skill-building interventions is to develop skills with caseworker assistance and alleviate behaviors and symptoms associated with a mental health diagnosis. Treatment services include:

These skills are intended to address problems displayed in the home, school and community.

Eligibility

Youth must be age 21 or younger, have Title 19 (Medicaid) and approval from Iowa Medicaid Enterprise. PACE can coordinate IME approval. There is no DHS or Juvenile Court system involvement required for services.

 

Substance Abuse Services

Substance Abuse Services is an outpatient drug treatment program that serves males and females under age 18 who are experiencing problems at school or in the community due to substance use. Youth may also be struggling in family, peer, or school environments. The treatment approach is through a co-occurring mental health perspective in group, individual and family sessions and can include:

Substance abuse assessments are also available for adults who are referred by the Department of Human Services or the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

Eligibility

Referrals can be received by Juvenile Court, DHS, Polk County Judges, and the community. Services are funded through Title XIX or private insurance. Youth are not required to have system involvement to receive services. Substance Abuse Education classes are held monthly and are available to the public for a $50.00 fee.

 

Saturday Sanctions

The Saturday Sanctions program provides a consequence for youth who are not complying with their formal or informal probation requirements. Youth can be referred anytime during their probation. They must complete a day of community service on a Saturday and pay a $20.00 fee.

Eligibility

Youth must be involved with Polk County Juvenile Court or be active in a PACE program.

Contact Us

PACE Juvenile Center

620 Eighth Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: (515) 697-5700
Fax: (515) 697-5701

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does my child need to be involved with DHS or Juvenile Court in order to receive services?

Youth are not required to be involved with DHS or Juvenile Court.Referrals can be voluntary depending on the level of care desired. For example, referrals to Remedial Services can be made by parents with assistance from individuals such as school officials, a therapist or a family physician.

What are the staff’s qualifications?

The majority of direct care staff at PACE is required to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or a related field. Therapeutic staff is required to be Licensed Social Workers or Mental Health Counselors. The Substance Abuse Program requires direct care staff to be Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors (CADC). The GED and Pathways program staff must have a Bachelor’s Degree and a valid teaching certificate.

Are background checks done on staff?

It is Orchard Place policy that all employees have clear background checks through the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Abuse Registries (which include child, dependent adult abuse and sex offender registries).

About PACE

Centrally located in downtown Des Moines, PACE has developed into the community-based division of Orchard Place and has been serving families in the Des Moines area since 1983.

PACE provides a variety of programs to help meet youth, family and community needs. These programs include academic instruction and support, mental health and substance abuse treatment, skill-building services for those with behavioral and psychological disorders, accountability and case monitoring, and informational community forums. These programs allow PACE to serve families with many levels of need. Collaboration with schools, Juvenile Court, the Department of Human Services and other area agencies help create a supportive network for PACE’s clients.