ChildServe

A journey fueled by love. As an infant, all odds were against Dalton as he faced life-threatening hardships. He was adopted by his parents and has since thrived with their love and support. The family partnered with ChildServe and found a support system full of hope, joy, love, and endless opportunities for Dalton. A special thank you to our friends at Flynn Wright for helping capture Dalton's impactful story, which debuted at #BubbleBall yesterday. Mark your calendars for next year's event taking place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Iowa Events Center. #GreatLife #TransformingLives #BubbleBallDSM #BubbleWrap Learn more about ChildServe Homes at https://lnkd.in/gZEPq6ft. Video: Video of Dalton and his family.

ChildServe friends and families, check out this new sensory trail at Jester Park Nature Center! Along the trail are several interactive stations to engage your senses. The trail is made of concrete, brick and crushed limestone, and is 310 feet long. The trail was developed with insight from multiple sensory experts in the area, including several ChildServe team members. We're grateful to the team at Polk County Conservation for their time and effort to create a space welcoming to individuals of all abilities! Learn more about the trail at https://lnkd.in/g8vrJQty. Images: Features along the sensory trail at Jester Park.

Therapists and providers are invited to join Dr. Kelly Pelzel for a Project ImPACT Training in Coralville! Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) is a therapeutic program that coaches parents on ways to help their children learn critical communication and play skills. Children with autism often have difficulties communicating and playing with their family and friends. These are important skills for children to develop to succeed in many aspects of life. Learn more about this training and secure your spot starting today! https://lnkd.in/gyX2ebnd

Did you know ChildServe has a specific team dedicated to the learning and development of our employees? ChildServe's Learning and Development team has been busy helping employees enhance their skills and advance their knowledge to bring the best care to the individuals we serve. Check out these stats from our last fiscal year! ✅ 235 classes facilitated by Learning & Development ✅ 1,256 class participants ✅ 908 hours of class time completed ✅ 277 Trauma-Informed Care courses completed by staff Learn more about ChildServe's learning and development opportunities at https://lnkd.in/gcduP3hf. #TopWorkplace #ChildServe #GreatLife Image: ChildServe's Learning and Development team.

Time flies when you are having fun, crushing therapy goals and making #greatlife memories with your best pals! This #SummerAtChildServe, kids, teens and young adults across all of our services have had a blast. Here is a glimpse at what summer looked like this year at ChildServe! ☀️ Images: Photos of kids and team members enjoying summer activities.

Congratulations to our 2024 ChildServe Champions award recipient: Polk County Board of Supervisors! The ChildServe Champions award recognizes our most devoted supporters for advancing the mission through generosity, service and inspiring others to action. 👏 💜 “Each year, I am humbled by the generosity of those who have championed ChildServe and our mission for decades,” said Dr. Teri Wahlig, ChildServe CEO. “It’s these partnerships that allow ChildServe to have an impact on the lives of children with special healthcare needs – to ensure they live, grow and thrive in our communities. We are eternally grateful for our committed donor base who shares our passion for transforming lives through specialty pediatric healthcare.” Polk County Board of Supervisors has been an instrumental partner and philanthropic supporter of ChildServe. In total, Polk County Board of Supervisors has allocated over $622,000 in grant support since 2012 and committed $1 million via the American Rescue Plan Act funds to the organization’s Growing Together campaign to help relocate and expand its Des Moines facility. Polk County Board of Supervisors and ChildServe have a longstanding partnership of collaboration on advocacy initiatives specific to delivering mental health services to medically complex children. “Mental and physical healthcare services are a priority for Polk County. ChildServe is an essential partner in delivering this specialized care," said Angela Connolly, Polk County Board Chair. “We are grateful for the recognition, but we are even more grateful for the work ChildServe provides to our communities’ most vulnerable day in and day out.” We're grateful for community organizations like Polk County Board of Supervisors who are champions for children with special healthcare needs and their families! To learn more about ways you can impact ChildServe, visit https://lnkd.in/gvzVuq7s. #GreatLife #ChildServe Image: Bob Brownell, Dr. Teri Wahlig and Angela Connolly.

Respiratory therapy students – we've got a unique opportunity for you! If you have completed your first year of classes, and are ready for hands-on experience to take your learning to the next level, ChildServe's new Respiratory Therapy Technician role may be perfect for you! In this role, you can build your skill set while working with a dynamic team of experts, and make a difference for individuals with various special healthcare needs and diagnoses. Learn more or apply for this role at https://lnkd.in/gqGEgSdX. #GreatLife #ChildServe #RT #RespiratoryTherapy #TransformingLives #TopWorkplace Images: Photos of RTs at ChildServe.

Ben and Kristen learned early on that their pregnancy would be challenging. At their 20-week ultrasound, they discovered their baby, Caleb, was displaying heart and kidney defects and growth restriction. Immediately, their prenatal care was transferred to Mercy Perinatal Center for high-risk care in Des Moines. “From there everything moved incredibly quickly,” said Kristen. “Our test results showed Caleb had novel genetic deletions – unique missing pieces of DNA that scientists hadn't seen before. As parents, we didn’t fully understand what this would mean for us and Caleb.” In the coming months, Kristen and Ben experienced weekly checkups and ultrasounds, emergency bleeds, hospitalizations and an emergency C-section at 33 weeks. Caleb was born weighing just 2 pounds and 5 ounces, with several congenital defects involving his heart, kidneys, airways, eyes and urology tract, along with gastrointestinal symptoms, hearing deficits and developmental delays. “We spent 98 days in the NICU, coming home with a feeding tube, oxygen condenser, apnea monitor and pulse oximeter continuously running,” said Ben. “It felt like our child came complete with his own NICU setup.” As they prepared to leave the NICU, Kristen and Ben realized how difficult it would be for them both to keep their jobs and insurance while caring for Caleb. Due to Caleb’s need for 24-7 specialized care, they began to discuss whether one of them would have to stop working. “Taking Caleb to a standard daycare was off the table,” said Ben. “What would happen if he stopped breathing or needed a tube feed? Fortunately, a friend mentioned the Medical Childcare program at ChildServe, which was a game changer! We applied for the program, toured the facility, and prayed for a spot for Caleb. Not only were the staff and facility incredible, but Caleb would have nursing supervision and get all his therapies onsite throughout the day. When we found out there was an opening, we jumped at the opportunity and are so glad we did!” ChildServe’s Medical Childcare program gave Caleb access to 24-7 specialized care. With the help of his ChildServe care team, Caleb learned to lift his head, swallow food, walk and put together sounds and words. “ChildServe became a key component in Caleb's health and well-being,” said Kristen. “They made our situation with feeding tubes and heart monitors seem totally normal, and suddenly, it wasn't quite so scary. They did this with such care and compassion that all of us, especially Caleb, looked forward to going and seeing everyone there. Looking back, we have no doubt that ChildServe's programming and staff are the single most important factor that allowed us to keep our jobs, keep Caleb insured, and successfully navigate the often-confusing world of special needs care.” ChildServe Medical Childcare: https://lnkd.in/gz5-6qnt.

There are openings available in ChildServe's Medical Childcare program at our Des Moines location – specifically in our classrooms for children from birth - 5 years old. Call in today to refer your child: 515-280-5332, or visit our website to learn more about the service. https://lnkd.in/gz5-6qnt Medical Childcare is customizable, convenient, and the only one of its kind in the state of Iowa. Along with nursing care, our program includes on-site therapy services like physical, occupational, and speech therapy. In addition to helping children work toward their individual goals, this approach allows families to spend time together after the workday, rather than rushing to multiple appointments. To access this service, children must have significant medical needs and be eligible for Medicaid.

New equipment at ChildServe is helping kids like two-year-old Kinnick stand tall with confidence! Thanks to a donation by WAWOS (We're All Working On Something) Wishes program, ChildServe purchased a new, multi-positional Rifton Stander. This piece of equipment is specially made for pediatric patients with cerebral palsy or other neuromuscular disorders. Kinnick has a range of special healthcare needs including clubfoot, Usher Syndrome and a chromosome deletion. To help him work on posture, strength, and bearing weight through his legs, ChildServe Physical Therapist Amie Shires uses the new Rifton Stander during Kinnick's therapy sessions. "Specialized medical equipment like the Rifton Stander is a valuable asset that can complement therapy and help children meet their therapy goals," said Amie. "The Rifton Stander allows children like Kinnick to be in an upright standing position and interact with their environment in ways that they may not otherwise be able to do on their own." Learn more about the ways you can support ChildServe's mission at https://lnkd.in/gK87PVC. #TransformingLives #ChildServe #GreatLife Images: Kinnick during physical therapy in the Rifton Stander.