KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Two related mental health agencies are available in Wyandotte County to address behavioral and emotional health needs of children, adolescents and adults.
PACES, serving youth and families, and Wyandot Center, serving adults, date their founding to 1953 when the Wyandotte County Child Guidance Center was established in Kansas City, Kan.
By 1957, the agency added services for adults, and became the community mental health center serving Wyandotte County, known then as the Wyandot Mental Health Center. In late 2008, children’s services adopted the name “PACES.” In 2010, through a corporate restructuring, PACES and Wyandot Center were brought under the umbrella of Wyandot, Inc., a parent company providing back-office and support services. Each agency has its own staff and Board of Directors.
“What’s important is that residents of Wyandotte County know that we have a strong history of service and the current infrastructure to serve the mental, behavioral and emotional needs of persons of all ages,” explains Pete Zevenbergen, Wyandot, Inc. president and CEO.
PACES
PACES serves 3 to 22 year olds and families. Services include case management, therapy (individual, group and family), psychiatric and medication services, free parenting classes, psychosocial groups for skills development and the Exchange & Visitation Center for families separated by divorce or conflict.
Recently, PACES began offering First Steps, a mental health program for preschoolers to help them develop age-appropriate behaviors and emotions and be prepared for entry into kindergarten.
PACES offers services at multiple locations in Wyandotte County – schools, family homes, churches and recreation centers. PACES office locations include:
- 1301 North 47th St., Kansas City, Kan.
- 1620 S. 37th St., Kansas City, Kan.
- 7840 Washington Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
Wyandot Center
Wyandot Center provides comprehensive outpatient services for adults experiencing anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. These services include a range of therapy (individual and group).
Persons with persistent and serious mental illness have access to community support services: case management, psychiatric and medication services, peer support, attendant care, hospitalization screens, supported employment and supportive housing.
Wyandot Center offers several options for persons experiencing a mental health crisis.
- 24-hour Crisis Line; 913-788-4200.
- Walk-in Crisis Clinic at the 1301 North 47th Street, Kansas City, Kan., location; currently open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Schedule changing to Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., starting June 2.)
- The new Rainbow Services crisis stabilization resource at 2205 West 36th Ave., Kansas City, Kan., open 24/7 and offering a sobering unit, crisis observation unit and crisis stabilization unit.
- In addition to the North 47th Street and Rainbow Services locations, Wyandot Center offers intake and therapy at 7840 Washington Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
