ChildServe

More space + more kids = more impact! ?? The new ChildServe - Des Moines facility will consist of renovating a recently acquired building at 1750 48th Street, expediting the project timeline to serve more children, sooner. This ChildServe location will more than double the square footage of the current Des Moines center, from 9,000 square feet to over 20,000 square feet, increasing the capacity of children served tenfold – from 60 to 600. ChildServe’s Johnston location will remain the organization’s headquarter campus. "We're incredibly excited about the next steps in our regional growth strategy to transform even more lives through specialty pediatric healthcare services," said Dr. Teri Wahlig, ChildServe CEO. "The facility will improve access and decrease barriers to care for children with special healthcare needs through several of our specialized programs, including pediatric rehabilitation, autism services, medical childcare and neurobehavioral healthcare." Learn more about Growing Together: The Des Moines Campaign at https://lnkd.in/gUaVuGue. #ChildServe #GreatLife #GrowingTogether #TransformingLives

We're officially one month away from Des Moines' most unique event of the year! Grab your #BubbleBall2025 tickets today at https://lnkd.in/gXuAFkiR. ?? We hope you'll join us on Saturday, April 12, at the Iowa Events Center for an unforgettable evening as Bubble Ball returns with an exciting new theme: Wild Wonders – Adventure into the Animal Kingdom! ?? ?? #BubbleBallDSM #WildWonders #BUBBLEWRAP

Fueling growth and spreading joy! ?? ?? At ChildServe, our amazing dietitians help kids thrive! From working closely with families and care teams to ensuring every child’s nutritional and medical needs are met, they make a difference across many ChildServe services. Tomorrow, on #NationalDietitianDay, we celebrate our dedicated team for keeping tummies full and smiles bright! Thank you for the care, expertise and heart you bring to the kids and families we serve. #ChildServe #GreatLife #RegisteredDietitianNutritionistDay #RegisteredDietitianDay Image: Photo of our dietitian team at ChildServe and their intern.

For ChildServe Physical Therapist Drew McDonough, the greatest reward is seeing a child achieve a goal they’ve been working on in therapy – turning determination into celebration, one milestone at a time! After graduating from St. Ambrose University in 2023, Drew knew pediatrics was his calling. His experience serving as a paraprofessional and completing two pediatric rotations, which he loved, solidified his passion for helping kids with special healthcare needs live a #greatlife. Now, as a Physical Therapist at ChildServe, Drew collaborates with a dynamic team of experts to create personalized treatment plans that support each child's unique journey toward success. “ChildServe’s therapy team is truly amazing. We all get along so well and are always there for each other when someone needs help or advice,” said Drew. “As clinicians, we have the ability to collaborate easily with one another and better develop plans of care that best fit the child's needs and their goals.” As a ChildServe Physical Therapist, Drew gets a front-row seat to incredible great life moments every day. Whether watching kids grow their confidence or discover new avenues of independence, he sees kids apply their therapy skills to everyday life. For Drew, these milestones and transformations make his work truly fulfilling. “A family we serve recently shared that since their child started therapy at ChildServe, they have seen a huge improvement. Their child's confidence has increased; their willingness to play with others at school has grown; and their connections with peers and teachers have strengthened. That is just one example of great life happening at ChildServe, but moments like those happen each day and are what makes this career so rewarding. “ChildServe’s values shape the way I approach my career, guiding me to prioritize empathy, patience and respect in every interaction. I strive to empower children by fostering independence, improving functional abilities, and ensuring they have the tools and support to thrive daily. By collaborating with families, healthcare professionals, and the child, I create a holistic approach that addresses both immediate and long-term goals. I am so grateful that ChildServe provides a place where all of this can come together.” #ChildServe #TopWorkplace #PhysicalTherapy #PedsPT To learn more about physical therapy at ChildServe, visit https://lnkd.in/dThyYFyY. Image: Drew at ChildServe – Iowa City.

After an incredible volunteer experience with ChildServe’s Day Habilitation program, the Drake University Women's Basketball team showed their appreciation in a big way! ?? ?? They invited ChildServe staff to be honorary coaches at their recent game against Southern Illinois! Our team had the amazing opportunity to sit right behind the bench and take part in pre-game and halftime pep talks. The individuals in ChildServe's Day Habilitation program were thrilled to send a customized poster with our staff to present to the team at the game. "ChildServe truly left a lasting impression on the team," said Whitney Moia, Drake Women's Basketball Assistant Coach. A huge thank you to the Drake Women’s Basketball team — a group of inspiring athletes with big hearts for both their team and the community. We’re grateful for your generosity and the meaningful connections you’ve made with the individuals we serve and our staff! Go Bulldogs! #ChildServe #GreatLife #DrakeUniversity Images: ChildServe staff at the game presented the team with a poster from individuals in our Day Habilitation program.

Alexandra Brooks has experienced ChildServe’s mission from every angle — first as a teen receiving services, and now as a dedicated team member making a difference for others. “For me, ChildServe’s mission has an extra special meaning behind it. Especially as someone who has been on both sides of the story as a previous patient and now an employee. My journey with ChildServe started in 2018 during my freshman year of high school. After experiencing a concussion, my parents and I realized that something wasn’t quite right. While searching for rehabilitation services, we came across ChildServe’s Concussion Clinic. My initial evaluation discovered that I had impairments to my memory recall, speech, writing abilities and other fine motor skills that made it challenging for me to complete tasks in school and extracurricular activities. I attended speech and occupational therapy for 10 weeks. My therapists incorporated my interests, needs and strengths into my treatment plan. From the moment I arrived at ChildServe to my final therapy session, I was met with endless amounts of kindness, encouragement, support and so many other positive attributes. My time at ChildServe was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Working with therapists that specialize in concussion rehabilitation was a key element in my ability to return to school and sports. Even before my journey with ChildServe started, I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career where I could help others. After my experience with ChildServe’s therapy team, I knew I wanted to help kids with special healthcare needs. I quickly found ways, as a student, that I could gain experience in specialty pediatric care and make a difference. I first started with ChildServe – Johnston in June of 2022, as a Respite and Day Habilitation Assistant, and spent my summer breaks with Camp ChildServe. While attending the University of Iowa, I continued working part-time at ChildServe – Iowa City, supporting respite individuals. In February 2023, I started a part-time position in the Autism Program. Fast forward to January 2025, following my college graduation, I have now stepped into the full-time role of Autism Day Program Classroom Lead. Throughout my time as a patient and an employee at ChildServe, I have seen the positive impact that therapists have on children and families. Within the next year, I plan to attend graduate school to earn my doctorate in occupational therapy! ChildServe partnered with my family and me to create a personalized care plan that focused on my main goal of getting back to school and returning to the extracurricular sports that made my life great. Now as an employee, I give back to children in my community and partner with their families to help them live great lives both inside and outside of the classroom.” Learn more about how you can grow in a career while helping individuals with special healthcare needs thrive. https://lnkd.in/gcduP3hf

Amazing women, creating an amazing impact in our community! This #InternationalWomensDay, we're celebrating employees across ChildServe who have recently been recognized for their outstanding commitment to bettering our community and their drive to continuously improve pediatric specialty healthcare. ?? CEO, Dr. Teri Wahlig - Iowa Business Hall of Fame & Iowa Hospital Association Excellence in Leadership Award ?? Rehab Manager, Abbie Green - Autism Society of Iowa's Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Autism Education ?? Director of Nursing, Stephanie Nemmers-Bello - Iowa Nurses Association Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing Award ?? Inpatient Complex Medical Care LPN, Mel Probasco - DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award ?? Direct Support Professional, Dell Nelson - ChildServe Outstanding Direct Support Professional of the Year Images: Employees at ChildServe are recognized with awards and appreciation for their service.

In celebration of #EmployeeAppreciationDay, we want to express our gratitude for the incredible and dedicated team at ChildServe. Through collaboration with fellow experts and a shared commitment to our mission, their hard work and passion shine through every day. ?? "I’m grateful that some of the best care providers and professionals in our communities choose to work at ChildServe. I’m continually impressed by team members who show up every day with our mission in mind and operate by our values. I’m incredibly proud to be among team members who support a great life for children and young adults and their families!" - Michelle Thies, ChildServe Director of Human Resources Thank you to our amazing staff for all you do to help kids and families live a #greatlife! Learn more about ChildServe's culture at https://lnkd.in/gHBsdPu. #FeelGoodFriday #CelebrateYourGreat #TopWorkplace Images: Photos of staff at ChildServe.

Help us bring ChildServe's mission to life through compelling video content!??? ChildServe is looking for a Video Production Intern to join our dynamic Marketing and Communications team. This hands-on opportunity is perfect for students pursuing a degree in film, editing, graphic design or a related field. As an intern at ChildServe, you'll help create engaging video content for staff, families, donors and recruitment efforts – making a real impact while building your portfolio! ? Summer 2025, Monday – Friday, during general business hours, up to 40 hours per week ?? This internship is in-person, working from our location in Johnston, Iowa. Apply today! https://lnkd.in/eDFjFrgc #GreatLife #ChildServe #TopWorkplace

For decades, ChildServe and Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa have partnered to help kids of all abilities grow and thrive! ? We’re proud to have ChildServe team members support Variety’s annual telethon year after year. This year, Variety’s 51st Telethon raised over $4.3 million to support Iowa’s children! Thank you, Variety, for your incredible work and ongoing impact! #GreatLife #VarietyTelethon #TransformingLives #varietyiowa Photos: ChildServe team members who have helped raise funds for Variety’s telethon through the years.