Workshop: The PACE Program

Completion certificates are emailed at the end of conference to email provided.

REGISTRATION: 10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

WORKSHOP: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Virtual – Zoom

The PACE Program

The PACE Program provides a range of early intervention as well as treatment services to young children and their families where there may be ongoing concerns about the child’s emotional well-being and/or challenging behaviours.  This continuum of services ranges from support within neighbourhood childcare settings, to more intensive services for children and families who have experienced significant distressing events in their life. PACE believes in providing a “wrap-around” service to families, working in partnership with parents, caregivers and other professionals.

Focusing on school age care and the importance of connection and attachment as the foundation for emotional well-being and resiliency and creating a trusting and nurturing a safe environment for school aged children, this workshop will expand on how PACE and School Age Programs can work together to increase understanding of children’s behaviour as communication in order to develop strategies which foster the strength and capacity of the program as well as enhancing the children’s overall growth and emotional health.

School Age Programs will expand on their role as Educators by:

• Providing a sense of safety and a safe haven – for children’s feelings, materials, ideas and emotions/expression
• Becoming a mediator for children – problem solving and interpreting between children / helping children find words
• Helping children self-regulate – breath, take a pause, reflect
• Becoming a facilitator of play / play partner
• Becoming a prop manager (offer toys to extend play; clear up toys that might be in the way)
• Becoming an interpreter / narrator of play

Building on the Educator’s self-reflection, this workshop will help School Age Educators recognize and honour each child’s environment, including history and culture.  By working collaboratively with parents, caregivers and/or professionals, programs strive to develop increased capacity and resilience now and in their future.

We believe strongly that in working together and by sharing information and resources, where each person’s wisdom is acknowledged and respected, the support provided is richer, more integrated and more meaningful. We strive to be flexible and responsive to client and community needs; and to provide confidential, accountable and client directed service delivery. We believe in supporting families to connect to those important in their lives and to broaden their natural resources. We believe that a strong family unit ultimately minimizes the need for professional supports. PACE services are based on a systems model in supporting families.

Workshop Presenter: PACE – Paul Gordon

Paul Gordon is a PACE outreach worker who works with children from 18 months to 12 years old who are demonstrating emotional and/or behavioral challenges while participating in child care programs.