Child in a wheelchair smiling with a nurse kneeling beside them

Center for Medically Fragile Children

2026.6 miles away
503-215-2837

Center for Medically Fragile Children

Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children provides 24-hour nursing care for children with complex medical needs ranging in age from infancy to 21 years. Our programs address each child’s physical, social, spiritual and psychological needs

If you have a medically fragile child, please call us. We would like to talk with you, learn about your child, and schedule a tour for you to see the center and for us to meet you and your child.

Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide a loving, enriching environment for every youngster. The center serves as an extension of the child's family, complete with school-age friends who play, laugh and cuddle with children.  As appropriate for each child, the staff and volunteers offer an array of normal daily activities such as school, play, special holiday celebrations, gatherings and outings. It is our goal and privilege to provide therapeutic recreational activities that celebrate ability while ensuring every child in our care has access to typical childhood experiences.

The subacute unit specializes in the care of medically complex children who are ventilator supported, receiving intravenous nutrition, or need significant nursing care.

Subacute may also include children who have suffered trauma and are not yet ready to go to an acute rehab setting or home.

Children in the community on ventilators who need a respite stay could be served in the subacute unit.

Short-stay medical management is available for children who need nutrition assessment and support, seizure management, medication management, postsurgical care, interdisciplinary assessments, pain management, and end-of-life care. Payment for short-stay services depends upon the child's private insurance or Medicaid coverage.

For four decades, families have turned to the Center for Medically Fragile Children at Providence Child Center. We are the only pediatric skilled nursing facility in the Pacific Northwest, providing 24-hour care to medically fragile children and young people ranging in age from infancy to 21 years.

Caring for a child with complex medical needs is a 24-hour commitment. Our program serves youths from birth to age 20 with limited mobility. We encourage families to call  us and come in for a tour of our facility. Our goal is to support families of children with complex medical needs by providing a short-term alternative for the care of their child.

Whether you need a break from daily care, help during a major transition, or specialized medical management, our respite services provide relief and support.

Payment for medical management services, transitional care and end-of-life care depends upon the child’s private insurance or Medicaid coverage. Respite care is excluded by most insurance companies and is typically paid privately or by Medicaid.

Respite care is available for families who need help for a variety of reasons. Sometimes life’s events require a family’s full attention: the birth of another child, a household move or simply a break when caregivers can rejuvenate. During these times, our staff and volunteers can provide compassionate, around-the-clock care for your child or teenager.

When children need special medical attention, our team-based care involves pediatric-skilled nurses, therapists and outside specialty physicians to manage symptoms, treat post-surgical pain, monitor medications, conduct physical therapy and provide specialized feeding.

New caregivers, or those whose roles have changed due to a child’s illness, accident, surgery or diagnosis, may stay in a special apartment on site while receiving care training from our expert staff.

During this very difficult time, the center offers compassionate care to terminally ill children, as well as emotional and spiritual support for the entire family, including arranging hospice consultation if needed.
Child swimming in pool with therapist
Make a donation

Our Wish List

Your donations benefit our medically-fragile children by providing art supplies for use in recreation therapy.

Toys that make noise, vibrate or light up to produce a sensory experience for our children are especially appreciated.

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