Long-Term Care Facility Expansion

On With Life’s Long-Term Skilled Care facility in Polk City is planning an expansion that will add 25 beds for individuals with complex medical needs. A portion of these beds would be outfitted for ventilator support, a much-needed service in Iowa.

While ChildServe addresses the needs for complex medical care and ventilator support for children and young adults, there is currently a shortage of beds for individuals over the age of 30 in Iowa. On With Life and ChildServe are working together to gather the funding and support needed to provide these services through On With Life.

The transition from pediatric to adult medical care for individuals with complex needs has long been a challenge, and the time to act is now. Investing in a program that effectively addresses these needs can prevent high, unexpected healthcare costs and reduce unnecessary emotional stress and harm. Most importantly, it can save lives.

On With Life has received a significant state funding commitment for this expansion project. In addition, On With Life is honored to have received a generous seed gift from The Meinders Foundation in support of the project’s “above and beyond” enhancements, including a much-needed therapy pool. Through the generosity of the late Hermann Meinders and a special connection with volunteer and board member Janelle Conley, this gift will help further enhance care and rehabilitation opportunities for individuals served at On With Life.

Community support and advocacy remain essential as we work to fully fund and complete this transformational project.

Project Timeline

We are currently in the planning and design phase of this expansion. Construction is targeted to begin in spring 2027, with the new addition anticipated to open in summer 2028. We will continue to share updates as milestones are reached.

Progress

Thanks to the support of Iowa leaders, we've reached two critical milestones to expand care for young adults with complex needs. 

  • Specialized Medicaid Rate Approved. The State of Iowa has approved a specialized Medicaid rate that better reflects the cost of providing long-term, highly specialized care for individuals who require ventilator support and other complex medical services. This creates a sustainable reimbursement model to support this population.
  • Infrastructure Funding – $4 Million Secured. The Legislature has committed $4 million through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) to support construction of the new specialized care facility, with an additional $4 million commitment planned for the next legislative session.

While these investments represent tremendous progress, additional support remains essential to complete this transformational project and ensure Iowa families have access to specialized care close to home for generations to come. 

To help expand access to care, please consider making a gift in support of the Polk City expansion.

Referrals

On With Life accepts referrals for our Long-Term Skilled Care program at any time, and we welcome early conversations with individuals, families and referral partners. Each referral is reviewed individually based on program fit, care needs and availability at the time admission is being considered. While an early referral does not reserve a future opening, connecting with our team early can help us better understand needs and discuss potential options and timing.

Aaron's Story

Aaron Harvey, who was born with a rare chromosome syndrome, received exceptional care at ChildServe since he was 12. When he initially aged out of the program at age 24, Aaron’s parents had to find a new home for him, but options were limited for someone of Aaron’s age and diagnosis. They ultimately settled on a nursing home near their own home, however, they quickly found that it was unable to accommodate Aaron’s advanced medical needs. At the time Aaron quickly became depressed and lost the smile he is known for.

The Harveys were so grateful when Aaron was able to move back to ChildServe after the age limit was extended, but this was only a temporary fix as Aaron would age out for a second time after he turned 30. Again, his parents struggled to find a place for their son, so much so that they were determined to find a way to keep him at ChildServe despite the age limit. Fortunately, On With Life announced it would be moving its long-term skilled care facility to Polk City just in time and happened to have a bed available for Aaron.

Aaron moved into On With Life’s new Polk City location this past summer along with his ChildServe roommate, Kyler. Keeping Aaron and Kyler together has helped the two transition into their new home and has meant so much to their families. Aaron’s parents say they are difficult to please after their previous experience, however, they are thrilled with the care Aaron now receives.

“Now that Aaron is at On With Life he continues to smile,” said Aaron’s father, Roger. “It makes our hearts happy to know that he is happy.”

Ava's Story

While Ava Myers may only be 16 years old, her family is already stressing over the day she turns 30. Ava has a neuro-degenerative disorder that requires her to need a ventilator, trach, feeding tube, and 24/7 care. Her family is currently able to care for her at home with the help of in-home nursing, but they know this will not always be the case. While ChildServe’s Johnston location provides an option, that option is only viable for Ava through age 30.

While it’s possible that a nursing home may accept Ava, having her live amongst a much older population is not ideal, nor is it likely that staffing levels will be able to accommodate the constant supervision that Ava requires. The Myers family was so excited when they first heard of On With Life – a long-term skilled care program located just 100 miles from their home in rural Iowa. However, that excitement quickly dissipated when they found out the facility was not properly outfitted for ventilator care.

“There are many of us who have kids with similar diagnoses, and we just don’t know what we are going to do,” said Jenni. “Ava’s needs are not going to change; they will only get worse. We NEED those ventilatory beds to be a possibility.”