Adaptive Cheer 2026 in Partnership with Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation

Our Adaptive Cheer Program is now FULL. Please register below if you would like to be added to our waitlist.

Calling all Cheerleaders!! In this 6 week program, Adaptive Cheer brings the excitement of cheerleading to life through basic motions, chants, rhythm, movement, and simple routines—all while shaking our magical pom-poms! ✨📣 Athletes will move with spirit and explore self-expression in a high-energy, welcoming space.

This program celebrates enthusiasm over perfection and encourages every athlete to shine in their own way. Whether it’s your first time grabbing pom-poms or you already love to show your moves, Adaptive Cheer is all about spirit, smiles, and showing your pride—together.

Spots fill up fast—reserve your spot today and be part of the fun!

WHENTuesdays, March 24 through April 28

TIME 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

LOCATION: Compass High School I 8250 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710

RECOMMENDED AGE: 5yr – 22yr

Our Adaptive Cheer Program is now FULL. Please register below if you would like to be added to our waitlist.

White Paper – MSIC Model in Arizona

New Report: The Arizona MSIC Model Improves Care and Lowers Costs for Children with Complex Medical Needs

Children with complex medical needs represent only 6% of children enrolled in Medicaid — yet account for up to 40% of pediatric Medicaid costs. The Arizona Multi-Specialty Interdisciplinary Clinic (MSIC) model is changing that.

A new white paper from Children’s Clinics presents groundbreaking data showing that children enrolled in MSICs experience:

  • 50% lower mortality and longer life expectancy

  • Fewer hospital readmissions

  • Comparable or lower total healthcare costs, even with higher clinical complexity

Developed in partnership with the University of Arizona, this analysis demonstrates how the MSIC model delivers comprehensive, coordinated, and family-centered care — helping children live longer, healthier lives while reducing strain on the healthcare system.

As Arizona prepares for key Medicaid redesigns, these findings show why preserving and expanding the MSIC model is vital for children and families across our state.

📄 Read the full report: The Arizona MSIC Model: A Value-Driven Approach to Care for Children with Medical Complexity

DOWNLOAD REPORT

Inclusive Halloween

Registration opens Wednesday September 30, at noon!

When: Friday, October 30, 2026 | 2-5 PM

Where: Children’s Clinics, Square & Compass Building | 2600 N. Wyatt Drive

Join us for a spook-tacular and inclusive Halloween celebration where every child can join in the fun! Come in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating, an adaptive haunted house, and playful Halloween activities filled with just the right amount of spooky magic. 🎃👻✨

Registration opens Wednesday September 30, at noon!

 

Teen & Young Adult Group

Children’s Clinics offers a fun and free Teen & Young Adult Group for ages 13 years and up. We invite you to join us once a month as we enjoy light snacks, connect with others, and participate in fun and inclusive activities.  

This program is made possible with a grant from the HS Lopez Family Foundation.

Teen & Young Adult Group Registration 2026

  • Please identify an individual other than yourself that we can contact in case of an emergency.
    I authorize my child to participate in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences Programs. I acknowledge the risks inherent in the participation by my child. In my absence, I further authorize the staff representing Children’s Clinics to act for me according to their best judgment in any emergency requiring medical attention for my child and I hereby waive and release those staffers, and volunteers of Children’s Clinics from all liability for any injuries or illnesses, that may be incurred while participating in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences, while in attendance, except for injury directly resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct.
    Parent/Guardian Attendance- I will ensure that an adult (18 years or older) responsible for my participant remains at the venue and is available to support the participant as needed for the entire session. / Asistenia del Padre/Guardián - Voy a asegurar que un adulto (18 años de edad o más) responsible de mi participante va a quedarse al estadio y va a estar disponible para apoyar al participante cuando sea necesario para toda la sesión.
    I consent to the photographing/video recording/ audio recording of the above-named patients by Children's Clinics staff at this event. I agree the resulting images or recordings may be used for Children's Clinics publicity or marketing purposes (brochure, pamphlet, lobby display, social media posts, printed material, etc.). I understand that I have the right to reverse this consent, in writing, at any time before the image or recording is used for the purposes indicated above.

 

KVOA 4: Back-To-School Feature

Helping Tucson students: Free supplies and haircuts for back-to-school

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Children’s Clinics and Mercy Care teamed up to assist students in need. The annual Back-to-School Fair took place with a focus on helping students and their families prepare for the upcoming school year.

Big-name brands like Supercuts, QuikTrip, and Walmart contributed to the event by offering guests free backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, and other classroom essentials.

“We take care of over 5,000 kids with medical complexity. Over 85 percent of them are financially disadvantaged and receiving support from Medicaid and other agencies and so this is an opportunity for us to really help them set up for success for the new school year ahead,” said Gemma Thomas, Chief Administrative Officer.

“We get to meet new people… We get to meet new people and we get tattoos,” said the Figueora family.

Thomas also mentioned that the organization is distributing 600 backpacks filled with supplies to those in need, not only during the event but throughout the next week as well.

The event was held at the Children’s Clinic from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 11, 2025.

SEE STORY HERE

 

Children’s Clinics and Mercy Care Team Up to Host Annual Back-to-School Fair

NEWS ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Children’s Clinics and Mercy Care Team Up to Host Annual Back-to-School Fair.

Tucson, AZ (July 7, 2025) – Children’s Clinics, a local nonprofit outpatient care center for children with special healthcare needs, is excited to announce its annual Back-to-School Fair, proudly sponsored by Mercy Care, with additional support from Supercuts, Walmart, QuikTrip, and Truly Nolen. The event will take place on Friday, July 11, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Children’s Clinics campus at 2600 N. Wyatt Drive.

This beloved event provides children and families with essential school supplies, free haircuts, and a sense of readiness for the new school year. Supercuts stylists will be on-site offering fresh haircuts to patients and their siblings, helping kids feel confident and prepared as they head back to class.

“For families raising a child with complex medical conditions, back-to-school time can bring significant financial strain,” explained Jared Perkins, CEO of Children’s Clinics. “This event goes beyond providing supplies and haircuts, it’s about giving our families the chance to begin the school year with dignity, confidence, and the support of a caring community.”

Mercy Care has been a longstanding partner in supporting this event. “Families of children with complex medical needs navigate challenges that extend far beyond healthcare,” said Debbie Hillman, Mercy Care’s Chief Administrative Officer. “That’s why we’re proud to support Children’s Clinics’ back-to-school event—ensuring these students have the essentials for a strong start to the year. At Mercy Care, we believe in fostering healthier, brighter futures for our community, helping every member thrive and reach their fullest potential.”

With the generosity of sponsors like Mercy Care, Walmart, QuikTrip, and Truly Nolen, Children’s Clinics will distribute 600 free backpacks filled with supplies, ensuring that children with medical complexities and their siblings can return to school ready for success.

The event will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Children’s Clinics, Square & Compass Building, 2600 N. Wyatt Drive, and is for Children’s Clinics patients and their families only. Mercy Care representatives will be present, not only handing out backpacks, but also promoting their wellness check program for children. In addition, Supercuts hairstylists will be on-site to deliver haircuts to Children’s Clinics patients and their young family members.

Children with complex illnesses face different challenges than other children, and most of Children’s Clinics’ families have children with multiple simultaneous pediatric illnesses, meaning that they face even greater challenges. In addition, 95% of Children’s Clinics’ families are low-income and face job and housing insecurity due to the amount of time devoted to caring for their children. Children’s Clinics has been hosting this Back-to-School event for over 12 years, assuring that their patients and their families have the essentials needed for a new school year.

About Children’s Clinics: Children’s Clinics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, outpatient care center that has served children with special healthcare needs and their families in southern Arizona for over 30 years. Children’s Clinics offers 25 different medical and dental specialties on a single campus, as well as wraparound social services and special programs for children with complex illnesses such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell, and many others. The mission of Children’s Clinics is to provide a family-centered, comprehensive medical home to meet the special needs of children and families. www.childrensclinics.org

About Mercy Care: Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed-care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at http://www.MercyCareAZ.org.