History Timeline
2023
End-of-Life Reimbursements Legislation is Approved
- In 2023 lawmakers passed a law allowing homes like Crescent Cove to access funding for end-of-life care for families on Medical Assistance.
- This important step ensures more families can access compassionate care without the added burden of financial worry.
2021
Medicaid Reimbursement Supports Care
- In 2021 Crescent Cove began accessing Medicaid reimbursement dollars to help pay for respite stays. Previous to this Crescent Cove opened and operated 100% on philanthropy.
- The original working office of Crescent Cove on Beltline Blvd in St. Louis Park is closed and the Admin Staff moves to the newly renovated office space on Twin Lake, formerly the home’s garage!
2020
Serving through the Pandemic
Crescent Cove chose to remain open through the pandemic, though greatly reducing the number of children staying in the Home at any given time. The need for respite care was even greater for families during this time when other services were unavailable.
2018
Open for Kids & Families
The dream of Crescent Cove came true when the doors opened in May 2018 to the first children’s respite and hospice home in the Midwest, and the third in the U.S.
- The first family stayed at the Respite & Hospice Home for Kids in May 2018.
- Beginning November 1, 2018 we were open round-the-clock serving children and families with a full roster of nursing staff.
2017
A Dream Realized
- Crescent Cove closed on the purchase of the existing building located on Twin Lake in Brooklyn Center and began renovations in July 2017.
- A week of open houses was held in November to invite the public to see the updated facility that would be called the Crescent Cove Respite & Hospice Home for Kids.
- The staff of Crescent Cove grows from two part-time employees to two full-time employees and four part-time employees.
2016
Spreading the Mission
- A demand analysis determined that thousands of children live with complex medical conditions in Minnesota, and approximately 700 die each year. The need was great and our vision for our Home confirmed.
- Governor Mark Dayton signed into legislation a law that allowed hospice care to be provided for children and young adults. Prior to this, no licensure existed for pediatric hospice care.
- Crescent Cove served 75 families in Minnesota caring for a child or children with a shortened life-expectancy by providing services in families’ homes.
- In late 2016, we learned of the North Memorial Residential Hospice Home as a potential location. In October 2016, Crescent Cove signed a purchase agreement with North Memorial for the land on Twin Lake in Brooklyn Center.
2015
Capital Campaign in Swing
- Crescent Cove provided support to 30 families caring for a child or children with a shortened life-expectancy.
- An advocacy plan was formulated to pass legislation that would allow Crescent Cove to be a licensed pediatric hospice home.
- Crescent Cove attended many conferences throughout the year to continue spreading the mission and to increase fundraising in order to fulfill the dream.
2009 - 2015
Gathering Community
- Katie connected with families who needed respite or end-of-life care for their children and helped them tell their stories to whomever would listen.
- Katie organized a board to lead the change from vision to reality for this hospice home. Experts in pediatric palliative care, real estate, healthcare settings, fundraising strategy and more gave of their time and expertise to support this vision.
2009
From a Vision to a Goal
- Founder Katie Lindenfelser worked at a children’s hospice home in Australia as a part of her training to become a music therapist. There she experienced the joy and wonder that children’s respite and hospice homes bring the lives of the families they serve. She and her husband committed to building the first children’s respite and hospice Home in the Midwest.
- Our first name was Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, and was later changed to Crescent Cove.
