ChildServe recently announced the organization is expanding its reach in Eastern Iowa by doubling the size of its Iowa City location and opening its first satellite location in the state, in Hiawatha.  

“ChildServe is taking a proactive approach to investing in the children of Iowa,” said Teri Wahlig, M.D., ChildServe CEO. “We’ve seen growth in waitlists for our services following the pandemic and have big plans to meet the increasing demand for children with special healthcare needs. The Eastern Iowa expansion projects are part of ChildServe’s larger regional growth strategy, which includes enhancing our three main campuses in Ames, Des Moines and Iowa City. These locations will become regional centers from which we can extend our reach to surrounding communities with satellite facilities.”  

ChildServe’s Iowa City site, located at 2350 Oakdale Boulevard, Coralville, will undergo an expansion project to double the size of the building over the next 18 months. The organization anticipates groundbreaking on the nearly 13,000-square-foot expansion to occur in the spring of 2023. This expansion project will increase access to outpatient therapy services, including speech and occupational therapy, as well as autism and applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services, for over 220 children each year. In addition, team members who have been providing behavioral health services at a temporary location in Coral Ridge, will be brought back under one roof on Oakdale Boulevard.

ChildServe’s first satellite location in the state of Iowa, ChildServe – Cedar Rapids, is projected to open in the spring of 2023 at 1661 Boyson Square Drive, Suite 100, in Hiawatha, Iowa. The 7,540-square-foot space will offer autism and ABA services, and outpatient therapy, including speech and occupational therapy, within a year of opening, reaching an estimated 200-plus children and families during this time.

“With more and more children being diagnosed with autism, more services such as mental health therapy and ABA being in-demand, and waitlists of nearly 250 children in need of outpatient therapy, this expansion will allow ChildServe to grow our signature programs and meet a pressing community need,” said Marie Hassel, Regional Director of ChildServe.

ChildServe in Iowa City has been partnering with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life since 2016, when ChildServe initially purchased the Children’s Center for Therapy. ChildServe moved to its current location in Coralville in 2017 and added additional, temporary, clinical space at its Coral Ridge location to expand psychology and mental health services in 2021. Today, the nonprofit serves over 1,000 children and families from Johnson County and 25 surrounding counties through a unique set of more than a dozen services.

“ChildServe provides a continuum of services for children with special healthcare needs in four specialty areas: autism services, pediatric rehabilitation, complex medical care and community-based services,” Hassel said. “We partner with local hospitals, pediatric specialists and healthcare providers to improve outcomes and make life a little easier for families caring for children with special healthcare needs.”

Families interested in learning more about receiving services at the ChildServe – Cedar Rapids location, may contact the ChildServe Welcome Center team at 319-777-7450. For additional information regarding employment opportunities, visit childserve.org/careers/.