Project for Child and Adolescent Evaluations (PACE)

Program/Project Name

Project for Child and Adolescent Evaluations (PACE)

Affiliation Name

UAMS

Website URL

https://medicine.uams.edu/pediatrics/specialties/programs/pace/

Model Type

Multidisciplinary comprehensive evaluation addressing medical, developmental, mental health, behavioral, and educational needs of all children in foster care in the state of Arkansas.

City

Little Rock

State

AK

State specific location

Numerous state-wide locations affiliated with UAMS

How is program/project funded?

State Funding

Describe how it's funded

Almost all of our funds come from state Medicaid, although we do occasionally bill private insurance if a child does have that. If a child is undocumented and not eligible for Medicaid, DHS pays for the evaluation.

What services does it provide?

Comprehensive health assessment,Standardize screening (developmental/mental health),In-clinic mental health evaluation,Subspecialty referrals

Where does it provide services?

State-wide

Description of program/project

The Project for Adolescent and Child Evaluations (PACE) provides a multidisciplinary Comprehensive Health Assessment (CHA) in outreach clinics to all children (ages 4 weeks to 18 years) placed in foster care within 60 days of entering DCFS (Division of Children and Family Services) Custody. PACE was created through Arkansas state law to partner with DCFS to bring new resources and attention to the children in DCFS Custody.

How are patients tracked?

Commercial electronic medical record,Specialized database for your program

Does the program provide special focus?

Developmental delay/issues,Mental health,Developmental Issues,Children in family foster care,Youth in group home/residential care,Young Children,Adolescents

Program/Project strengths

Consistent and comprehensive evaluations for all children in foster care within 60 days of admission. This is much more thorough and is in addition to the required entry into foster care exam required within 48 hours. Clinicians and office staff work to gather and review all possible medical, mental health, developmental, and educational records of a child before the evaluation so that as much can be known about the child as is possible.

Program/Project challenges

Funding; meeting children where they are throughout the state requires clinicians to travel; coordinating appointments with DCFS and caregivers

Contact Name

Victoria Buchanan   

Email Address

[email protected]

Phone Number

501-526-8008