ChildServe

ChildServe partners with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life. To learn more, visit www.childserve.org.
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ChildServe is a not-for-profit organization that partners with families to help children with special health care needs live a great life. Originally founded in 1928 as a convalescent home for children, today ChildServe provides specialized pediatric healthcare services to nearly 5,800 children in Iowa. Through the support of private insurance, public funds, and the generosity of donors, ChildServe offers accessible, family-centered care unique to each child’s needs, hopes, and dreams. We provide services to children with special healthcare needs. In creating a common understanding of the term special healthcare needs, we note the term "health" is more than a medical definition or the absence of disability. To ChildServe, health is a state of physical, social, cognitive, environmental, and spiritual well-being. This broader concept of health helps us understand the parameters of .

11/26/2025

Nothing is SWEETER than celebrating the impact of our mission! 🍩

ChildServe’s first-ever Sprinkles of Thanks event honored the incredible impact of our donors, highlighting the difference they make in the lives of thousands of children and young adults with special healthcare needs across the state. Guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast, heartfelt stories, a behind-the-scenes tour of our campus, and the chance to connect with fellow supporters and meet some of the skilled team members who bring our mission to life each day.

Thank you to all who help make great life moments possible for the children we serve! 💜

View photos of the event: https://childserve.pixieset.com/sprinklesofthanks2025/
Learn how you can give to ChildServe: https://www.childserve.org/giving/

Images: Photos from ChildServe's Sprinkles of Thanks event that took place in October.

11/26/2025

Our Thankful Turkey is proudly showing off its feathers – each one filled with words of gratitude from ChildServe team members and the families we serve. 🦃 A big thank-you to our incredible Therapeutic Recreation team for bringing this festive friend to life! Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, laughter and connection!

Images: ChildServe's Thankful Turkey hanging up in the hallway.

11/25/2025

'Tis the season for giving! As Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday are all approaching... keep in mind that all ChildServe locations participate in Amazon Wishlists! ✨ 🎁

By visiting https://www.childserve.org/wish-list/, you can see the lists our service leaders have created and select the location you would like to support.

11/24/2025

Whether you're a pumpkin pie family or a pecan pie family... sitting down for a Thanksgiving meal can look different for everyone, especially for individuals with special healthcare needs! Here are a few quick reminders to keep in mind as your family and friends gather for meals this holiday season. 🥧

11/23/2025

Each year, we help families from across Iowa and throughout the country access exceptional care at ChildServe. In fact, ChildServe offers the only freestanding pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit for children and teens in the state.

👀 Get an inside look at our unit: https://www.childserve.org/pediatricrehabilitation/tour-our-facility/.

For more information or to make a referral, call 515-331-8106 to reach an Access Specialist.

11/22/2025

“As a mom, I have learned there is no trophy for not asking for help, and ChildServe helped me realize that. Being a parent of a child with complex medical needs, I sometimes carry a lot of guilt, worrying about the happiness and quality of life of my children. That is when I decided to talk with social work about starting ChildServe’s Homecare program. Homecare has given us the freedom to just be a family. It has been so valuable to have a nurse here with us. To know that I don’t have to figure this out on my own, and I have people on my team, brings me so much relief." - Krystal, Zion's mom. 💜

This , we’re celebrating the powerful partnership between our mission-driven nurses and the incredible families we serve. Stories like Krystal’s reflect what Homecare is all about: supporting families as they navigate their child’s health needs while still enjoying life together as a family.

By providing expert care in the comfort of a child’s home, ChildServe Homecare nurses help kids learn, grow and rehabilitate in a familiar and nurturing environment. Thank you for your dedication to helping kids and families live a !

Learn more about ChildServe’s Homecare program at https://www.childserve.org/community-based/homecare/.

Images: ChildServe's Homecare team and leaders celebrating with food, photo-ops and reflecting on an awesome year of helping kids live a great life!

11/21/2025

"Sampson's dedication, resilience, and heart make him truly deserving of this recognition!" 💜

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at ChildServe go above and beyond to provide outstanding care to kids and young adults in our group homes. Sampson is a DSP who was recognized as one of ChildServe's Outstanding Direct Support Professionals of the Year. He was nominated by his supervisors, who wrote:

"Sampson consistently demonstrates unwavering dedication, compassion and professionalism in his role at ChildServe. His commitment to the individuals we serve, as well as to his teammates, is truly exceptional. Sampson is always willing to go above and beyond; whether it's picking up extra shifts, stepping in to support a coworker, or taking initiative without hesitation. He approaches every challenge with a positive attitude and a willingness to do what is best for both the individuals and staff. His reliability and leadership qualities have made him a vital member of our team.

"His resilience and ability to build strong, trusting relationships with individuals show his strength of character and deep commitment to our mission. Sampson never hesitates when asked to help, often volunteering before being asked. His presence brings stability and positivity to the Home."

Learn more about how DSPs make a difference in ChildServe Homes: https://bit.ly/GroupHomeLife.

Image: Photo of Sampson smiling with his award and colleagues.

11/20/2025

At ChildServe, keeping kids safe is at the heart of what we do – and we’re proud to take an active role in advancing injury prevention!

This week, our team attended the 2025 Prevent Child Injury Conference in Des Moines, an annual gathering of healthcare professionals focused on the latest strategies, research and innovations in child safety.

Representing ChildServe were:
💜 Megan Noble, ChildServe Outpatient Clinic Nurse
💜 Katie Purcell, ChildServe Clinical Manager
💜 Rachel Kongshaug, ChildServe Regional Clinical Manager, Eastern Iowa
💜 Alesha Merz, ChildServe Clinical Team Lead
💜 Jerica Stitz, ChildServe Clinical Team Lead
💜 Madison Simon, ChildServe Speech-Language Pathologist

A special shoutout to Alesha, Jerica and Madison, who presented “Silent Impact: Concussions in the E-mobility Era.” Their session highlighted ChildServe’s Concussion Clinic, key signs and symptoms of concussions, trends in referrals related to electric scooter accidents and ways to increase safety awareness, such as helmet use, rider education, and more.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with community partners and providers to help keep kids safe and healthy! Learn more about ChildServe's Concussion Clinic: https://www.childserve.org/clinics/concussion-clinic/.

Images: ChildServe team members attending and presenting at the conference.

11/19/2025

Creative problem-solvers and quick innovators, ChildServe's Therapeutic Recreation Team is always thinking of ways to help the children and young adults we serve live a great life. Earlier this year, ChildServe received a $20,000 grant from The Toy Foundation that has helped the creativity of our Therapeutic Recreation Team shine even more!

Funds from the grant helped us purchase a 3D printer, which our team has already put to incredible use! So far, they’ve designed and printed:
💜 playing card holders
💜 a cup holder to fit on a wheelchair
💜 adaptive marker/crayon holders
💜 clamps to attach sensory bars to bed frames.. and so much more!

"We're incredibly grateful to The Toy Foundation for the grant that allowed us to acquire our 3D printer, enabling us to bring personalized solutions directly to the children and young adults we serve," said ChildServe Therapeutic Recreation and Adapted Specialist Kody Gafkjen. "This technology allows us to create items in-house, ensuring every child has the tools they need to thrive, play and learn."

Thank you to The Toy Foundation for helping kids with special healthcare needs live a ! Learn more about how organizations can partner with ChildServe and support our mission at https://www.childserve.org/giving/.

Images: Examples of 3D printed items created by ChildServe's Therapeutic Recreation Team.

11/19/2025

Curious about how to support your child as they begin or continue to explore foods? 🍎🥝🥦

Join us on Wednesday, December 3, at 9:45 a.m. at the Des Moines Children's Museum for a conversation on helpful feeding topics for children from birth to age 6. Learn about feeding milestones, food preferences, sensory regulation during meals, red flags, picky eating vs. problem feeding, and positioning. You’ll gain practical tips and have the chance to ask questions in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. No food will be provided.

This event will be led by ChildServe occupational therapists Taylor Davisson, OTD, OTR/L, Christine Weiland, MOT, OTR/L, and Whitney Yoder, OTD, OTR/L. We hope to see you there!

11/18/2025

Make sure to check the list twice this holiday season! ✅ ✅

As kids prepare their holiday wishlists, caregivers should be aware of the updated safety and age-appropriate guidelines for toys. As you complete your holiday shopping, remember these resources for helpful tips regarding safe toy choices.

🎁 Consumer Product Safety Commission: https://www.cpsc.gov/
🎁 Buying Tips for Babies & Young Children: https://bit.ly/3XmY3kx
🎁 Toys in the Digital Era: https://bit.ly/4pm3sUW
🎁 Top 10 Safe Toy Tips: https://bit.ly/4a5iauK
🎁 Toy Safety Tips for Parents: https://bit.ly/485cQVQ

Thank you to ChildServe's Care Quality Team for compiling these resources. Happy shopping!

Images: Photos of toys at ChildServe.

11/17/2025

Is your family planning on traveling this upcoming holiday season? Here's a helpful reminder! ✈

ChildServe distributes free lanyards for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, in partnership with the DSM International Airport. 🌻

Wearing a sunflower lanyard allows individuals with hidden disabilities to self-identify, signaling that they may need extra time, assistance or patience while traveling. Families can pick up their lanyard at our Welcome Centers in any of our locations.

Wishing everyone happy and safe travels! Learn more about this initiative at https://www.childserve.org/hidden-disabilities-sunflower-program/.

Image: Lanyards at ChildServe - Johnston.

Address

5406 Merle Hay Road
Johnston, IA
50131

Telephone

+15157278750

Website

http://www.childserve.org/

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Our Story

ChildServe knows kids and we know specialty healthcare. When families have questions about their child’s health and development, we’re here with answers and support. Our team of experts helps identify and meet the unique needs of children with developmental delays, disabilities, injuries, and other special healthcare needs to help them live a great life.

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