May 14, 2026
By: ChildServe
How Medical Childcare Is Fueling Economic Stability in Central Iowa
The unique power of ChildServe’s services is that they help Greater Des Moines (DSM) families remain economically stable while ensuring children receive the specialized care they need to thrive. Whether a family needs outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral health support or the highly specialized Medical Childcare program, ChildServe is uniquely positioned to meet those needs. Until May 2026, ChildServe – Des Moines served 60 families; with the opening of its new location at 48th Street and Franklin Avenue, capacity has expanded to 600 families which is a reflection of both community demand and the program’s proven impact.
Meeting a Growing Regional Need
Demand for care of this type has surged. Waitlists continue to grow, and families across the region are seeking reliable, specialized support. The expansion at ChildServe is not just a capacity increase; it is a regional investment in economic resilience, workforce participation and equitable access to healthcare services. This coordinated approach ensures that children receive comprehensive care while parents maintain stability at work.
A unique service provided for parents of children with feeding tubes, epilepsy, respiratory complications or other complex medical needs is the Medical Childcare program, when traditional childcare simply isn’t an option. These children require nursing oversight, specialized equipment and staff trained to respond to medical emergencies, services that typical childcare centers are not equipped to provide.
![ChildServe – Des Moines lobby]()
Without a program like this, many parents face an impossible choice: leave the workforce to care for their child or attempt to patch together inconsistent, costly alternatives. The financial consequences are steep; lost wages, stalled career advancement, reduced retirement savings and increased stress on families already navigating complex medical realities.
The Medical Childcare program removes that impossible choice. By providing weekday, medically specialized care, it allows parents to remain employed, maintain financial stability and continue contributing to the region’s workforce. This is not just a family benefit; it’s an economic one. Employers retain skilled workers, turnover decreases, DSM's talent pipeline remains strong, and children’s access care they need to live a great life.
Every child has unique needs and is on their own unique journey: some kids have lifelong conditions and will always need a heightened level of care – ChildServe is proud to be here for them and meet their needs. Some kids need Medical Childcare early in their journey, but with the support of therapy provided onsite during the day, they may overcome some challenges that will allow them to reenter a typical classroom setting. For kids like Oliver, having daily access to speech therapists who could stop in and work with him made an enormous difference in his development and independence.
“ChildServe’s Medical Childcare team gave Oliver the chance to breathe, eat, and communicate on his own: something that seemed impossible when he was born with congenital vocal cord paralysis and required a tracheostomy at ten days old,” said Oliver’s mom, Kelsey. “It was a multi-year journey that was only possible through specialized medical care and on-site therapy during the day. ChildServe is the only place providing this service, and there are so many more kids who need access. I am thrilled that the experience we had with Oliver will be available for more families thanks to a bigger building designed around the unique services offered at ChildServe.”
One of the most powerful aspects of this program is that it is funded by Medicaid, lifting the enormous financial burden that specialized childcare would otherwise place on families. For many, this is the difference between staying in the workforce and leaving it entirely. It also ensures access to high-quality, medically appropriate childcare is based on need, not income.
![rehabilitation room at ChildServe – Des Moines]()
As DSM continues to grow, so does the need for reliable, specialized pediatric services that support both children and the workforce. ChildServe’s commitment to providing specialized therapies, and comprehensive family support ensures that no parent has to choose between their child’s health and their livelihood. The expansion of ChildServe – Des Moines represents more than a larger building — it is an investment in economic stability, equitable access to care and brighter futures for hundreds of children in Iowa. ChildServe will remain a cornerstone for families navigating complex medical journeys and a catalyst for a stronger, more resilient region.
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ChildServe
ChildServe serves 6,000 children each year through specialized clinical, home and community-based programs and services. ChildServepartners with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life.