This is an equal opportunity agency for qualifying individuals. PCS does not discriminate because of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap.

Mission Statement
As a Community Action Partnership our goal is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by helping people help themselves and each other.

Panhandle Community Services is not currently co-located with other agencies. The Child Development Center, however, is located at Western Nebraska Community College. CAPSTONE is Co-located with the Early Head Start program in the Homestead House building. CAPSTONE serves the Panhandle and is a collaboration of medical, social service and law enforcement agencies who interview, provide physical examinations, and secure evidence related to child abuse cases, particularly sexual abuse.

Migrant and Seasonal Head Start serves 75 income eligible migrant/seasonal children ages infant to 4 years from June to August. Sites are in Alliance and Scottsbluff. Families are served by a Center Base full day option.

The Child Development Center is located at Western Nebraska Community College with full day child care for infants and children through age 5. The Center is licensed for 115.

Project Success provides full-day child care for teen parents enrolled in Gering and Scottsbluff schools or GED. The program includes child development/parenting classes, tutoring, social services coordination, career planning and transportation as needed.

The Community Health Center provides a full range of basic medical and dental services for all age groups, including illness and wellness care, immunizations, tuberculosis testing, and health education.

The PCS Dental Clinic provides services for children and adults, focusing on dental prevention and education for our clients and community. Clients are provided with dental exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, crowns, bridges, and other services.

Behavioral Health provides counseling services to clients.

The Diabetes Control Program offers education and support to diabetic individuals of any age. A diabetic support group meets the second Thursday morning of every month.

Migrant Health services are provided to migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the 11 counties of the Nebraska Panhandle plus the southwest counties of Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock, Lincoln, Perkins, and Red Willow. Services provided by a registered nurse are available year round. On-site evening medical clinics are offered mid-May through mid-July. Off-site care is pre-authorized by use of a voucher system.

Every Woman Matters provides eligible women with financial support for breast and pelvic examination and referral, if indicated, for mammogram.

The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) provides nutritious food and nutrition education at regularly scheduled sites in the seven county area. Those eligible for the program are pregnant and postpartum woman, infants, and children up to age five, who meet the income guidelines (less than 185% of poverty) and have health or nutrition related risks.

Hepatitis C Testing and Counseling Program provides testing for Hepatitis C, as well as counseling patients with Hepatitis C.

Medication Assistance Program provides assistance to those individuals unable to afford their medical and dental prescriptions.

Immunizations Services for children and adults.

Reproductive Health Care provides education, counseling, referral, physical examinations, STI testing and treatment, and birth control information and supplies. Staff is available for client services during regular office hours by walk-in or appointment, plus an evening physician's clinic by appointment. Pregnancy testing is also offered.

HIV Counseling & Testing offers confidential services for those individuals who are HIV positive. The full scope of services includes routine visits, antiviral therapy, and infectious disease consultation.

Minority Health Program provides minority populations health screenings, diabetic screening and nutritional counseling, wellness programs, translation and interpretation services, limited transportation services, and pharmacy assistance.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides a monthly box of food and nutrition information to persons over sixty, as well as women, infants, and children who do not qualify for the WIC program. The applicant must meet income guidelines and be a resident of Nebraska.

Foster Grandparent Program volunteers work with special needs children in schools, day cares, Head Start and other sites in Scotts Bluff, Cheyenne, Kimball, Lincoln and Morrill Counties. Approximately 90 Foster Grandparents aged 60 or over participate.

Senior Companion Program matches volunteers sixty years and older with frail elderly who are still in their own home. The client is given individual attention they might not otherwise receive. The ultimate goal of the program is to help the client maintain their independence, improve their quality of life, and remain in their own homes for as long as is appropriate.

The Homeless Assistance Program provides support, referrals and emergency assistance to homeless and near homeless families/individuals through a case management program. Emergency supportive services are provided based on available resources to help fund emergency shelter costs.

Ever Green House is a passive solar greenhouse located in Gering. It provides year-round gardening and socialization for all ages, including the elderly, youth and handicapped. Vegetable plants and seeds are available for a nominal fee to low-income and elderly families. Special community classes are held.

Infant/Toddler Car Seat Rental Program is available.

The PCS Crossroads Mentoring Program is a one-to-one out of school mentoring program that unites young people with a positive role model to help them reach their full potential. (308.635.3479)

PCS Missing Link is an intergenerational mentoring program that builds relationships between youth and senior citizens by having groups of children visit residential facilities in the community for one-to-one visits with the seniors (308.635.3479).

Panhandle Community Services collaborates with the Panhandle Partnership and other agencies and organizations to meet the needs of the communities they serve.