PACE Services
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PACE Services is a Spokane Community College program that assists individuals with disabilities improve their career, life or academic skills.
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Spokane, WA
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4:30pm |
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Our Story
PACE Services is a program within Spokane Community College which is part of the Community Colleges of Spokane. PACE Services is CARF accredited for Employment Services. PACE Services has two components: The first component is for employment services such as community based assessments, job development, on the job training and retention services. The second component is classes geared toward job skills, life skills and communication skills. Chronicle: The program started in the early 1980’s with two instructors wanting to teach basic skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. Shortly after that, the focus was shifted to employment services and the Job Readiness, Training and Placement Program was developed. With the acceptance of a contract from Spokane county, additional staff were brought in from outlying satellite training centers where CCS staff were co-located. The program was located on the SCC agricultural annex. Students received training at the SCC Lair, Orlando’s and the Greenhouse where the model was to “train and place” in employment in the community. As time went on, the model changed to a “place-train” model where program employment specialists secured the job, then program teacher’s aides worked the job for two weeks at no cost to the employer prior to the student’s start date. It was around this time that the program was renamed “Program for People with Disabilities” (PPD) A vital impact on the program was in 1989 with the development and focus on employment skills through the offering of a wide variety of non-credit classes including Life Skills, Communication Skills, Job Skills, Computer Work Building, Reading, Leadership and many other offerings. In 1990 we were provided with the opportunity to move to the newly remodeled Hillyard Center. Each staff member received their own cubicle with a desk, phone and computer! Times were good, jobs were plentiful for people with disabilities. It was time to remove the word “disability” from the program name, and thus became People Accessing Careers and Education (PACE). In 1995 the SEER (Supported Education and Employment Enhancing Rehabilitation) program was developed for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. The program provides educational and employment s supports to students who want to go to college or work. In recent years PACE and SEER have expanded to the rural sites. In 2005 the Ready program was developed. This one-quarter hands-on industry-specific program offers students the ability to receive knowledge and training in automotive or childcare. In 2009, the opportunity for more space became available as PACE outgrew the Hillyard Center and the program re-located to the Lodge where we are presently located! In the fall of 2015, the dream of having a Transition and Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities came true when the US Department of Education awarding PACE Services a five year grant. At the same time, PACE Services with a contract from Division of Vocational Rehabilitation expanded to working with high school students with IEPS or 504 plans to gain valuable real life work skills during the summer. Many students received their first paycheck!
