These policies are designed to ensure the comfort and safety of our guests. We ask that all guests and visitors conduct themselves in a respectful manner. As a private, non-profit organization, the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) reserves the right to evict guests at our discretion to ensure the safety & well-being of our guests, our volunteers, our staff, and our facility.
Eligibility
The RMH serves as a “home away from home” for families with a patient (21 years and under) receiving inpatient or outpatient medical treatment at an area hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. First time guests to the RMH must be referred by medical personnel. All guests must be 18 years of age or older unless accompanied by a legal guardian, essential caregiver, or able to provide documentation of marriage or of a court-issued declaration of emancipation. All prospective RMH guests (18 years & older) must submit to a criminal background check before staying at the RMH. Individuals with a felony conviction, a conviction of a violent crime, a conviction of any crime involving a child, or any conviction of a crime that is of a sexual nature will not be granted accommodation at the RMH. Furthermore, any prospective RMH guest who is currently in a drug or alcohol treatment program will not be granted accommodation at the RMH. Finally, any prospective RMH guest who is the subject of a pending child abuse or domestic violence case will not be granted accommodation at the RMH.
Office Hours
The RMH is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. House Managers are available from 8:00 AM until 12:00 AM (midnight). A private security firm provides an on-site officer from 12:00 AM (midnight) until 8:00 AM.
Check-In
Guests arriving for check-in must arrive with their photo ID (if 18 or older) and all required paperwork. The check-in process for new guests typically takes about 45 minutes and includes paperwork, a review of RMH policies, and a brief tour of the RMH. We understand that unexpected events occur, but guests are strongly encouraged to check-in between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Guests arriving for check-in between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 8:00 AM will receive a temporary check-in and will need to speak to the House Manager at their first opportunity to finish the check-in process.
Guest Identification
A guest is anyone staying overnight. All guests (18 years & older) must present a photo ID and a referral slip from hospital personnel (for first time guests only) at the time of check-in. Guests will be issued a red ID necklace and are expected to wear and clearly display their red ID necklace at all times while on RMH property.
Room Use
There are to be no more than four people (babies count as a person) per room. Families are expected to use their room every night. Guests must receive authorization from a House Manager if they need to spend a night outside of the RMH (at the hospital, etc.). Any time one guest leaves and any time another guest arrives, they must sign in with the House Manager. “Swapping” guests is not allowed without first speaking to a House Manager. New (first time) guests coming to stay with you must be referred by your medical provider.
Daily Sign-In
There is a sign-in at the front desk. Guests are expected to sign in each day before 8:00 PM. Guests who fail to sign in for two (2) consecutive nights will be checked out of their room and will not be allowed to return to the RMH as a guest.
Admittance
Guests are never to open any door or window for anyone, even if you know the individual seeking access. The RMH is a secure facility, and all visitors must be admitted by authorized staff and volunteers only. Guests may grant entry to their personal visitors only at the front entrance.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are from 11:00 PM until 8:00 AM. We ask that you be respectful of your fellow guests and please keep TVs, radios, and voices low during quiet hours.
Hospital Visitation
Guests are expected to visit their patient child every day. This includes all occupants of a guest room unless hospital regulations forbid visitation. This visit should be for an appropriate amount of time as determined by hospital personnel.
Children
Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a child. Parents, legal guardians or guests checked into RMHC and listed on the patient’s referral are responsible for their children. No one under the age of 18 is to be left at the RMH without a parent, legal guardian or adult guest checked into the Ronald McDonald House from the same room. Children under the age of 14 must be in their caregivers’ sight at all times. Although we respect the right of parents or caregivers to discipline their children as they see fit, corporal punishment (including but not limited to spanking) is not allowed on RMH property and will be regarded as abuse. Violation of policy may result in eviction.
Visitors
A visitor is someone who will not be staying overnight. Visitors must sign in with the House Manager as soon as soon as they arrive, present a photo ID, and wear a yellow ID necklace at all times. Visitors should return their yellow ID necklace and sign out at departure. Visiting hours at the RMH are 8:00 AM until 11:00 PM. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older unless accompanied by a legal guardian or able to provide documentation of marriage or of a court-issued declaration of emancipation. We ask that visitors not be left unattended regardless of age.
Parking
Guests are issued a parking pass at the time of check-in. This pass should be clearly displayed (on the dashboard or rearview mirror) when on RMH property. All vehicles on RMH property are expected to be in good running condition and compliant with license, registration, and insurance laws. Repairs to vehicles (other than minor issues such as charging a battery or inflating a tire) may not be performed on RMH property. For safety concerns, guests are not allowed to loiter in their vehicles or in the parking lot.
Emergency Procedures
An evacuation map is posted on the door of your guest room. In the event of an emergency, please follow the evacuation map for your guest room and any instructions issued by RMH staff.
Dress Code
We ask that guests wear appropriate attire for a public setting while at the RMH. For health reasons, shoes or slippers must be worn at all times outside of your guest room.
Tobacco
No tobacco products may be used anywhere inside the RMH. This includes but is not limited to cigarettes, cigars, dip, and snuff. There is a designated smoking area on the porch facing the parking lot where these products may be used. Tobacco products may not be used in the parking lot or on the sidewalks.