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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 .

Helping children build confidence, independence and new skills, one step at a time. 💜 At ChildServe – Des Moines, the Oc...
10/11/2026

Helping children build confidence, independence and new skills, one step at a time. 💜

At ChildServe – Des Moines, the Occupational Therapy team works with children to support the skills they need for everyday activities, from playing and learning to getting dressed, eating and participating at home and school.

Through a child-led, play-based approach, our therapists create engaging experiences that help children work toward their individual goals while partnering closely with families along the way. Ready to get connected with our ChildServe – Des Moines Occupational Therapy team? Make a referral by contacting us at 515-331-4518.

📍 ChildServe – Des Moines
1750 48th Street
Des Moines, IA 50310

Learn more about ChildServe – Des Moines: https://www.childserve.org/childserve-des-moines/



Images: Nash and his therapist Rylee at ChildServe – Des Moines

Your mind matters! 💜 This , we're recognizing the importance of mental health for everyone. At ChildServe, we're commi...
10/10/2026

Your mind matters! 💜

This , we're recognizing the importance of mental health for everyone.

At ChildServe, we're committed to helping children and families navigate mental health challenges with compassion and support. Our behavioral health team provides comprehensive assessments and mental health diagnoses, individual and family therapy. Family education and diverse group therapy opportunities are also available that are focused on children and families and are trauma-sensitive.

To learn more about ChildServe’s Mental Health Therapy program, visit https://www.childserve.org/behavioral-health/mental-health-therapy/.

Trick-or-treating fun is right around the corner, and at ChildServe, we know Halloween looks a little different for ever...
10/09/2026

Trick-or-treating fun is right around the corner, and at ChildServe, we know Halloween looks a little different for every family, and that's perfectly okay! 🎃

For children with autism, Halloween can sometimes feel overwhelming without the right support and preparation. Whether your family plans to trunk-or-treat, visit the neighborhood, or attend a trick-or-treat event at a local library, church, or mall, we've got tips to help make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. https://www.childserve.org/autism-trick-or-treat-tips/

Images: Check out some of these throwbacks from trick-or-treating events across ChildServe!

Shoutout to our amazing dietary and kitchen team for serving up more than just delicious meals! 🍳🍝🥧 During this Nationa...
10/08/2026

Shoutout to our amazing dietary and kitchen team for serving up more than just delicious meals! 🍳🍝🥧

During this National Healthcare Food Service Week, we are celebrating our dietary and kitchen team for their hard work, creativity and positivity they bring each day. From hilarious puns and jokes on the chalkboard in the Spirit Café to unique menus and delicious desserts, ChildServe wouldn't be the same without this crew!

Thank you for all you do to keep ChildServe fueled and smiling!

Images: Photos of our dietary and kitchen team at ChildServe–Johnston.

Meet Jada! 💜 Speech therapy at ChildServe looks different for every child. For Jada, who attends speech therapy at Child...
10/07/2026

Meet Jada! 💜

Speech therapy at ChildServe looks different for every child. For Jada, who attends speech therapy at ChildServe – Ames, her appointments are full of learning, imagination and fun.

Jada and her ChildServe Speech Therapist, Taylor, work on important goals such as tasting new foods and using her communication device. One of Jada’s favorite parts of her sessions with Taylor is saying hello to the horses at Stagecoach Stables behind our playground. 👋

To learn more about ChildServe's Speech Therapy program visit: https://www.childserve.org/outpatient-rehabilitation/speech-language-pathology/



Images: Jada and her therapist Taylor at ChildServe – Ames.

10/06/2026

From the garden to the table! 🥕 🍅

This summer during the Iowa State Fair's Sensory-Friendly Morning presented by ChildServe, our therapists brought the unique experience of feeding therapy to kids and families with a special station at The Garden.

At ChildServe, children participating in our Feeding and Swallowing Clinic work toward goals that can make a big difference in everyday life, whether that's touching a new food for the first time, tasting something that once felt scary, or building the skills needed to get proper nutrition and enjoy mealtimes with family.

At the fair, kids had the opportunity to explore fresh fruits and vegetables picked right on site through hands-on play, discovery and sensory experiences, all inspired by the same evidence-based approaches our therapists use every day. Learn more about ChildServe's Feeding and Swallowing Clinic at https://www.childserve.org/clinics/feeding-swallowing-clinic/.

Video: ChildServe therapists at the Iowa State Fair helping children explore farm fresh vegetables and fruits.

We’re grateful to receive a grant from GreatAmerica to support sensory resources at ChildServe – Iowa City! 💜 This gener...
10/06/2026

We’re grateful to receive a grant from GreatAmerica to support sensory resources at ChildServe – Iowa City! 💜

This generous gift has helped us add specialized equipment and resources to our therapy and treatment spaces, including items that promote sensory regulation, comfort, movement and engagement for the children we serve.

ChildServe therapists have transformed these sensory resources into a dedicated space for sensory regulation and calming. The room features weighted blankets and stuffed animals, a bean bag chair, color-adjustable lighting, fidget toys and a unique vibro-acoustic chair that has quickly become a favorite among many of the children we serve.

Our team has loved having this space available to support children as the transition before and after therapy sessions, provide a calming break when needed, and help kids build skills in a new and supportive environment. The sensory room offers a welcoming place where children can regulate, recharge and feel comfortable as they work toward their goals.

Thank you, GreatAmerica Financial, for partnering with us to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life! ✨



Images: Sensory-friendly calming room set up at ChildServe – Iowa City.

10/05/2026

Hy-Vee helped INFLATE the fun for children, young adults and families across ChildServe! 🎈💜

A big thank you to Hy-Vee for recently donating and distributing hundreds of balloons to ChildServe – Johnston. The balloons featured some of our favorite characters from Thomas the Train to Sleeping Beauty, and they quickly filled our hallways with smiles, joy and laughter.

Team members from several ChildServe services helped delivery balloons including outpatient therapy, inpatient rehabilitation, complex medical care, group homes, childcare and more!

Learn more about how you can make a difference at ChildServe by visiting https://bit.ly/4AKe3iR

Video: Hy-Vee and ChildServe team members distributing balloons at ChildServe.

ChildServe President & CEO Dr. Teri Wahlig recently spoke at the Des Moines Business Record's 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes eve...
10/05/2026

ChildServe President & CEO Dr. Teri Wahlig recently spoke at the Des Moines Business Record's 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes event. 💜

Her community idea: ‘The Des Moines gratitude exchange’ — lead with gratitude and heart

"Leadership is ultimately about people. Consider a community-wide initiative where organizations collectively commit to recognizing contributions — not just internally, but across sectors. Imagine a shared platform that highlights unsung heroes in healthcare, education, nonprofits and business. Regular, visible appreciation builds stronger communities, strengthens morale and reminds people that their work matters beyond their organization."

Learn more about Dr. Wahlig's ideas at https://www.businessrecord.com/90-ideas-in-90-minutes-dr-teri-wahlig/.

Address

5406 Merle Hay Road
Johnston, IA
50131

Telephone

+15157278750

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