Medical Childcare

Helping Kids and Families Thrive

ChildServe‘s Medical Childcare program offers specialized weekday care for children and young adults with significant medical needs and developmental delays. The program includes on-site therapy services like physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Medical Childcare focuses on each child’s overall health. For this reason, we provide therapeutic activities to develop coordination, self-confidence, social competencies, and more.

Depending on a individual’s need, he or she may attend our Autism Day Program program in Ames, Iowa City or Johnston, or our Medical Childcare program (described below) in our Ames or Des Moines locations.

Why choose ChildServe?

Specially Trained

ChildServe’s specially trained caregivers have education and experience in supporting kids and young adults with complex medical needs.

Customized Support

Our Medical Childcare program is customizable, convenient, and the only one of its kind in the state of Iowa. We build therapy appointments directly into the day. This allows families to spend time together after the workday, rather than rushing to multiple appointments.

CARF-Accredited

ChildServe’s Medical Childcare program is CARF-accredited in the following categories: Medically Fragile and Child and Youth Services. This means that the program meets rigorous guidelines for service and quality, and conforms to nationally and internationally recognized standards.

Who We Serve

ChildServe’s Medical Childcare program offers specialized medical care to children and young adults (infant through 21 years old). Children must be eligible for Medicaid due to significant medical needs or developmental delays.

Our Approach

We Know Kids

Our entire organization is designed around kids! ChildServe knows that children and teens have needs that are different from adults with similar conditions. Child-specific training will be provided to all staff assigned to work with your child. Our innovative approach and atmosphere are designed to make kids feel comfortable, safe, and inspired.

Expert Medical Care

Children and young adults receive skilled nursing care customized to their needs. Our nursing staff can provide medical care for feeding tubes, oral feeding difficulties, seizure management, respiratory care, and urinary catheterization services.

Goal-focused Therapy

Along with focusing on goals in physical, speech, or occupational therapy, children and young adults work toward building self-confidence, learning new life skills, and improving coordination. Other areas of focus include increasing social competencies and cognitive skills.

Caring for Families

We want families to be able spend time together. To help ease our families’ full schedules, Medical Childcare offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and therapeutic activities onsite during the day. Our daily documentation system ensures communication between caretakers and parents.

Our Medical Childcare Team

Our team includes a variety of healthcare, childcare, and therapy professionals, including the following positions:

Registered Nurse

Physician

Case Manager

Occupational Therapist

Physical Therapist

Speech Therapist

Recreational Therapist

Medical Social Worker

Behavioral Support Specialist

Skill Development Assistant

Camden’s Story

After a traumatic brain injury, Camden was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. His family was determined to help him approach every day with joy.

Paige’s Story

Paige's Story Service Day Health Having the right support can turn life’s challenges into opportunities to grow. With the help of her parents and multiple services at ChildServe, four-year-old Paige has done just that.Like many her age, Paige loves to read books, jump...

Bronwyn’s Story

In order to grow socially, two-year-old Bronwyn was in need of a childcare center specific to children with special health care needs. As part of the Day Health program at the ChildServe Woodland Center, Bronwyn now has an individualized care plan and receives occupational, speech, and physical therapy all in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

Referrals can be made by the child’s parent/guardian, physicians, case managers, therapists, or other members of the child’s care team. Referrals should be directed according to discipline and preferred location as follows:

Medical Childcare – Des Moines/Johnston: 515-280-5332 (Program Manager)
Medical Childcare – Ames: 515-817-2231 (Social Worker)
Autism Day Program – Iowa City: 319-351-5437
Autism Day Program – Johnston: 515-251-5551 (Program Manager)

Where do services take place?

ChildServe’s Autism Day Program is offered in Ames, Iowa City and Johnston. Medical Childcare is available in our Ames and Des Moines locations.

When do services take place?

ChildServe’s Medical Childcare offers services on Monday-Friday, with hours varying by location:

ChildServe – Ames
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ChildServe – Des Moines
Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

How are services funded?

Medical Childcare services are funded through Iowa Medicaid to children with a diagnosed medical need and active Medicaid Status.

What makes Medical Childcare different from daycare?

ChildServe’s Medical Childcare program offers therapy, nursing, early intervention, education, and more for children with special healthcare needs.

We welcome children with significant medical needs.
Children must be Medicaid eligible to qualify for Medical Childcare services.
Nursing and therapeutic restorative plans are incorporated in day-to-day service.
On-site therapy services (speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy) are available.
Specially trained staff provide care, treatment, and early education for young children.

How does ChildServe work toward non-discrimination?

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis on race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.7 and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNF Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 40319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; web site: https://icrc.iowa.gov

View our Annual Outcomes

ChildServe regularly gathers child and family satisfaction feedback, quality reports, and census data to monitor our services and continuously improve the care and services we provide.

Download Outcomes

Contact Us!

ChildServe – Johnston

5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131

515-727-8750

ChildServe – Ames

1915 Philadelphia Street, Ames, IA 50010

515-232-7220

ChildServe – Des Moines

644 24th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312

515-280-5332

If you would like to make a referral, or if you have questions for our team, please call the location of your choice or email communications@childserve.org.

ChildServe Center - Johnston

ChildServe Center - Ames

ChildServe – Des Moines

Iowa City

About

ChildServe improves the health and well-being of more than 5,600 children each year through specialized clinical, home, and community-based programs and services. We serve children with developmental delays, disabilities, injuries, and other special healthcare needs.