Blank Children's STAR Center

Support Teams for Achieving Resiliency

About Us

The mission of the Blank Children's STAR Center (formerly the Regional Child Protection Center) is to work as a team with experts in child health, development, and welfare to provide services and support to children which increase their resiliency and improve their health and well-being. To fulfill this mission, the STAR Center houses a Child Advocacy Center and three specialized clinics designed to meet the needs of children and their caregivers.

Letting Childhood Begin

At the STAR Center, we believe that every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood.  We promise to provide services which help them get back on path to having one. The STAR Center is a unique community center designed to be child and adolescent friendly and trauma sensitive. Our staff are experts in child development and have a thorough understanding of how traumatic stress and Adverse Childhood Experiences may impact the health and well-being of children. With these principles in mind, our clinics work to increase a child's resiliency and improve their health and well-being. 

In the spring of 2020, Blank Children's Hospital opened a brand new STAR and Developmental Center in West Des Moines. Take a look at this video to learn about the services provided in the new space.

What We Do

Child Advocacy Center

The Blank Children's STAR Center provides a variety of services including forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations. Specially trained interviewers talk to children when there is an allegation of abuse or neglect. The multidisciplinary team works in collaboration with law enforcement and the Department of Human Services. Forensic exams are conducted by a pediatrician and a nurse practitioner and can sometimes be used in evidence collection. Click HERE to find out more.

Drug Endangered Children Clinic

The Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Clinic serves children who have been exposed to drugs and/or alcohol. The clinic serves children of all ages to monitor their development and guide them in a healthy life. Click HERE to find out more. 

Growth and Nutrition Clinic

The Growth and Nutrition Clinic (formerly known as the Failure to Thrive Clinic) is a specialty clinic that helps families whose children are struggling with growth and weight gain. The clinic is run by a pediatrician, pediatric nurse, and a pediatric dietitian, and aims to make the growing health of your child a priority. Click HERE to find out more. 

STAR Primary CARE Clinic

The STAR Primary CARE Clinic is Iowa's first and only primary care and consultation clinic specifically for children who have been impacted by trauma. This multidisciplinary clinic incorporates medical care, care coordination, school readiness, caregiver support/ education, and trauma-focused mental health therapy to meet the needs of children and their caregivers. 

Foster Care Clinic

The Foster Care Clinic is a primary care clinic integrated with mental health services for children in foster care. We know these children may have special health care needs and this clinic has been designed specifically to assess and treat those needs. The clinic provides multiple services including medical care, behavioral health, school readiness, and care coordination for children, and education and support for caregivers. Click HERE to find out more. 

History

After 15 years operating as the Regional Child Protection Center, our name has changed to the STAR Center to better reflect all of the work being done to serve and support children.   Our services and commitment to children remain the same.  We are excited to start this new chapter at our center, offering necessary and proven services for children and families in our community.

How CACs Help Kids

Job Opportunities

The Blank Children's STAR Center is looking for a new Medical Director. Click here for more information. 

Wish List

Use our wish list to have items that children need shipped directly to the STAR Center. Oftentimes we see children whose sole possessions are the clothing they are wearing. We want to send them to their new home with some essentials such as toiletries, personal hygiene products and clothing. 

Donate

With your donation today, you can help change the life of a child that has been adversely affected by a traumatic experience.  

Accreditation