The UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Foundation has received grants from two Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa grants to enhance care and facilities for children and families. Blank Children’s Hospital has received a generous $150,000 grant in support of the expansion and relocation of the STAR Center and Developmental Center, and Iowa Lutheran Hospital has received a $50,000 grant in support of the Child & Adolescent Outpatient Behavioral Health Unit. 

At Blank Children’s, the grant will support the vision to build a dedicated facility to help children thrive regardless of their circumstances. The new building, which is expected to be completed by early spring 2020,  will be the first free-standing facility built off-campus from Blank Children’s Hospital in its 75-year history and will be located at 4055 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The $10 million facility is designed to accommodate the STAR Center and the Developmental Center – both of which care for vulnerable children in the community and across the state. 

“Variety’s long history of support at Blank Children’s is evident in all our services,” said Dr. Steve Stephenson, president and chief operating officer at Blank Children’s Hospital. “We are especially proud to have their support to grow and enhance two important community programs. The grant not only helps expand our facilities, it will help us serve more children and families sooner.” 

The STAR Center offers a Child Advocacy Center, Foster Care Clinic, Drug Endangered Children Clinic, and Growth & Nutrition Clinic, and uses trauma informed care practices to help address children’s individual needs. It provides medical and mental health care for children who have been victims of abuse, exposed to drugs, are in foster care or need additional support to grow and meet their full potential. For infants and children with developmental, learning, or behavioral problems, the Developmental Center team has the training and expertise to evaluate, diagnose and connect families to additional care to help children thrive. 

At Iowa Lutheran Hospital, the $50,000 grant will be used to transform the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Outpatient Unit to provide a healing, fun, safe and cohesive environment for the children and adolescents receiving care. The grant provides funding for new furniture, artwork and flooring.