ChildServe will officially transition its licensure from a nursing facility to a specialty hospital designation, the organization announced this week.
The move follows more than a year of collaboration with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid leadership, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, and state legislators to develop and pass the necessary legislation.
“This change in licensure marks a momentous milestone in our organization’s history and signifies some important changes,” said Dr. Teri Wahlig, ChildServe CEO. “First and foremost, this licensure transition recognizes and more appropriately defines the expertise and level of care our talented team provides; it does not change any of the service offerings we provide. Second, transitioning our licensure to a specialty hospital designation will preserve our financial stability and enhance our ability to expand services for children and families in Iowa.”
The licensure change will apply to ChildServe’s inpatient units and some outpatient services in Johnston, Des Moines and Ames. Specifically, 74 licensed nursing facility beds will be converted to specialty hospital beds, while the Johnston Rehabilitation Agency, physician clinics and behavioral health services at the Johnston, Ames and Des Moines campuses will transition to hospital outpatient departments. These areas will operate under a new entity, ChildServe Specialty Hospital.
Other ChildServe entities — including ChildServe Homes, ChildServe Community Options, ChildServe Homecare, and ChildServe Medical Supply — will continue to operate as they currently do and will not be included in the specialty hospital designation. ChildServe’s Iowa City and Cedar Rapids locations will also retain their licensure as rehabilitation agencies.
“While this licensure transition brings change and excitement, much will remain the same,” Dr. Wahlig said. “ChildServe will continue to focus on our four key areas of pediatric rehabilitation, complex medical care, autism and behavioral health, and community-based services. We will remain ChildServe, and we will continue to grow without compromising culture or quality of care.”
ChildServe provides more than 30 services to over 5,800 children in Iowa annually. The nearly 100-year-old organization focuses on complex medical care, pediatric rehabilitation, autism and behavioral health, and community-based services.
