ChildServe

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 .

We’re proud to honor the amazing ChildServe team members reaching tenure milestones – from 5 and 10 years to 20 and even...
02/04/2026

We’re proud to honor the amazing ChildServe team members reaching tenure milestones – from 5 and 10 years to 20 and even 25 years of compassionate service! Your dedication strengthens our mission and makes a lasting impact on the children and families we serve across Iowa. 💜

Thank you to the entire ChildServe team for the passion, dedication and excellence you bring every day. Congratulations on reaching these important milestones! 🎉

A special thank-you to Kristin and Adam Haar for sharing their daughter Bronwyn’s courageous ChildServe story, and to our event hosts and ChildServe Board of Trustees members, Amanda Young and Joanie Houston. Learn more about ChildServe's culture at https://bit.ly/ChildServeCareerOpportunities.



Images: Photo of team members celebrating their tenure milestones at ChildServe.

02/03/2026

In 2026, it's really important you attend Des Moines' most unique, award-winning gala: ChildServe's Bubble Ball®!

🎟️ https://www.childserve.org/bubbleball/sponsors/
📅 April 18, 2026
📍Iowa Events Center
💜 Help kids with special healthcare needs live a great life!

Spend a night among the stars as our talented volunteer designers bring magic to life through stunning BUBBLE WRAP® creations. Get your tickets while they last!

Video: A glimpse at Bubble Ball over the past couple of years.

Roll out the red carpet! Individual tickets are now available for Bubble Ball® 2026! 🎟Act fast, this one-of-a-kind event...
02/02/2026

Roll out the red carpet! Individual tickets are now available for Bubble Ball® 2026! 🎟

Act fast, this one-of-a-kind event sells out every year! Grab your ticket today: https://www.childserve.org/bubbleball/sponsors/.

Join us Saturday, April 18, at the Iowa Events Center for a night of glitz and glamour as Bubble Ball returns with a brand-new theme – Starstruck. ✨ 📽

Spend a night among the stars as our talented volunteer designers bring award-winning musicals, movies, music videos and more to life through stunning BUBBLE WRAP® creations. Enjoy a star-studded fashion show with live music, dazzling performances and fun surprises. ⭐

Step inside the stories that celebrate the strength, progress and triumphs found each day in the world of pediatric reha...
02/01/2026

Step inside the stories that celebrate the strength, progress and triumphs found each day in the world of pediatric rehabilitation. The children and families we serve at ChildServe inspire us every day through their perseverance, courage and growth.

Read a few of their powerful journeys here: https://www.childserve.org/pediatricrehabilitation/patient-stories/. 💜

If you would like more information or to make a referral, please call 515-331-8106 to reach an Access Specialist.

Images: Children and young adults receive care at ChildServe‘s Pediatric Rehabilitation program.

"ChildServe's Autism Day Program literally changed Blakely's life over the last two years. When she started, she didn't ...
01/31/2026

"ChildServe's Autism Day Program literally changed Blakely's life over the last two years. When she started, she didn't speak a single word, her oral fixation was at an all-time high, and she rarely responded to her name.

"Today, Blakely can count to 30; she knows all of her animals, the alphabet, days of the week, months of the year, shapes, colors, how to spell her name, how to ask for help, and so much more! We are so thankful for ChildServe, from the autism support we have recived to her outpatient therapies," said Cheyenne, Blakely's mom.

ChildServe's Autism Day Program is the only one of its kind in the state of Iowa. We offer specialized weekday care for children with ASD (ages two through six years old). The program is offered at ChildServe in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Johnston and Des Moines. Learn more ➡ https://www.childserve.org/autism-program-for-kids-in-iowa/.

Referrals can be made by the child’s parent/guardian, physicians, case managers, therapists, or other members of the child’s care team. To make a referral, call us at 515-727-8750.

Images: Blakely at ChildServe, playing outside and practicing for trick-or-treat.

Purple walls, bright spaces and room to grow... our new Des Moines facility is really starting to feel like ChildServe! ...
01/30/2026

Purple walls, bright spaces and room to grow... our new Des Moines facility is really starting to feel like ChildServe! 💜

The new ChildServe – Des Moines location will more than double the square footage of the current center on Woodland Avenue, from 9,000 to over 20,000 square feet, significantly increasing the capacity of children served.

ChildServe – Des Moines is accepting referrals for all outpatient therapy services! Call us today to learn more: 515-727-8750.

Images: Updated construction photos of the progress at ChildServe – Des Moines.

This week, ChildServe team members attended the 2026 Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day on the Hill hosted by the Autism...
01/29/2026

This week, ChildServe team members attended the 2026 Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day on the Hill hosted by the Autism Society of Iowa!

This annual event brings together families, advocates, and community partners to elevate awareness, share personal stories and engage with state legislators about key issues impacting the autism community. As a Resource Partner, ChildServe was proud to connect with fellow advocates and share the ways we support children and families across Iowa.

ChildServe’s Autism Program meets families where they’re at and grows with them as their needs change. Our comprehensive program includes over 16 core services that work together to ensure each individual receives expert care customized to their needs and goals. Learn more about ChildServe's Autism Programs at https://www.childserve.org/autism-services/.

Images: ChildServe team members at the 2026 Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day on the Hill at the Iowa State Capitol.

We heard 2016 is trending… so we’re throwing it back to Bubble Ball® 2016: Music Through the Ages! 💜 🎶This unforgettable...
01/28/2026

We heard 2016 is trending… so we’re throwing it back to Bubble Ball® 2016: Music Through the Ages! 💜 🎶

This unforgettable theme celebrated iconic hits from every decade, bringing together the best of pop anthems, powerhouse vocals and musical nostalgia. Our volunteer designers wowed us with jaw‑dropping BUBBLE WRAP® creations. Their designs transformed the runway and left a lasting impression we’re still celebrating today. Enjoy these standout looks from the 2016 show!

Bubble Ball 2026 will be here before we know it! Explore sponsorship opportunities at https://www.childserve.org/bubbleball/sponsors.

Images: Photos from Bubble Ball 2016.

Did you know ChildServe has 16 different group homes? AND we're currently accepting more individuals to our program! 🏠Ea...
01/27/2026

Did you know ChildServe has 16 different group homes? AND we're currently accepting more individuals to our program! 🏠

Each home blends expert pediatric care with a welcoming environment where individuals experience everyday moments and work toward greater independence. ChildServe Homes are unique, with specially trained staff equipped to support children with a wide range of medical complexities, including seizure diagnoses and feeding tubes.

📱 Make a referral: 515-331-8111
💡 Learn more: https://www.childserve.org/community-based/homes/

Images: Photos of children and staff participating in activities at ChildServe Homes.

"Pop! Pop! Pop!" 🫧 It's National BUBBLE WRAP® Day, and at ChildServe, we take this day seriously! To celebrate, we pass...
01/26/2026

"Pop! Pop! Pop!" 🫧 It's National BUBBLE WRAP® Day, and at ChildServe, we take this day seriously! To celebrate, we passed out BUBBLE WRAP® to the individuals in our Day Habilitation program. The young adults had a blast listening to the satisfying "pop" everyone knows and loves – some even rolled over the BUBBLE WRAP® with their wheelchairs!

Speaking of BUBBLE WRAP®… the countdown to is officially on! Want to be part of the magic this year?

🌟 Explore sponsorship opportunities: https://www.childserve.org/bubbleball/sponsors

🌟 Get notified when individual tickets go on sale: https://bit.ly/EarlyAccessBB26Tickets



Images: ChildServe's Day Habilitation group popping BUBBLE WRAP®.

ChildServe’s Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) Clinic helps children find their way to confident, safe eating. Through close ...
01/25/2026

ChildServe’s Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) Clinic helps children find their way to confident, safe eating. Through close partnership with families and providers, the HEN Clinic supports infants and children as they transition from tube feedings to oral feedings in an outpatient setting.

We offer continued care for infants and children needing enteral feedings while recovering from an acute illness or injury, infants who are developing oral motor skills and endurance, and families needing additional support managing their child’s enteral tube.

Learn more about ChildServe's HEN Clinic at https://www.childserve.org/home-enteral-nutrition-clinic/. Referrals can be made by the child’s parent/guardian, physicians, case managers, therapists, or other members of the child’s care team. To make a referral or request more information, call 515-251-5555.

Images: Nash during therapy at ChildServe, working on eating food orally for the first time.

Tomorrow is the final day to register for ChildServe's 2026 Pediatric Palliative Care Course! Learn more and register at...
01/25/2026

Tomorrow is the final day to register for ChildServe's 2026 Pediatric Palliative Care Course! Learn more and register at: https://bit.ly/4sXGpSH. 💜

Address

5406 Merle Hay Road
Johnston, IA
50131

Telephone

+15157278750

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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.