Address:
830 NE 47th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97213 Map/Directions
Overview
The Center for Medically Fragile Children at Providence Child Center is the only nursing facility in the Northwest providing skilled care exclusively for children in a residential setting. Fifty-eight beds are dedicated to children needing long-term chronic care and short-term respite, and end-of-life care.
When a child has profound disabilities and complex medical needs, providing the needed round-the-clock care can be exhausting and overwhelming. Even a family's unwavering love may not lessen the challenge of caring for a special child. For four decades, families have turned to the Center for Medically Fragile Children (formerly the Children's Nursing Center) at Providence Child Center. The Center is the only pediatric skilled nursing facility in the Pacific Northwest providing 24-hour care for medically fragile children and young people ranging in age from infancy to 21 years.
The Center for Medically Fragile Children serves as an extension of the child's family, complete with grandmothers and grandfathers to cuddle children. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide a loving, enriching environment for every youngster. Parents receive support to understand their child's complex medical needs.
Children at the Center receive treatment and education essential to their well-being. Our interdisciplinary care team assesses and treats complex medical conditions, including monitoring symptoms, administering medications and providing leading-edge therapies. Some of our children are able to attend classes at Portland Public Schools. Other children receive their special education at our on-site classroom. All children have the opportunity to participate in Child Center activities such as bowling, gardening, dancing, arts and crafts, music and field trips.
The cost of providing care for Providence Child Center residents is never a burden to families. This is because support from the community bridges the gap between Medicaid and private insurance coverage, on the one hand, and the actual cost of this specialized care. Children who need this level of care are admitted to Providence Child Center without regard to ability to pay.
The staff at the Center for Medically Fragile Children is ready to assist families - long or short term - and to care for their precious gift.
Interested in becoming a volunteer at the Center for Medically Fragile Children? Learn more.
Providence Child Center Foundation helps bridge the gap between the real costs of pediatric long-term care and the portion of the costs paid by Medicaid.
Learn how you can help by supporting the Providence Together capital campaign.
Volunteers
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Volunteers play an invaluable role at the Center for Medically Fragile Children – for the children who live here and the staff who work here.
