FAQs

View our RMHC House Policies

• Has a child 21 years or younger being treated at a Milwaukee area hospital.
• Lives outside of these four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee.
  * Beginning January 25, 2016, Racine county families will qualify for staying at the RMHC if their child is receiving inpatient treatment at an area hospital.
• Families must be respectful and tolerant of other families who are equally concerned about the well-being of their children.

If you meet the above qualifications, take the next steps:

• Get a referral- Contact your child’s assigned hospital case manager/social worker to submit your referral.
• Check availability: Once on the RMHC waiting list, an RMHC Family Services staff member will contact the family between 8:00am-9:00am for room availability.  The Ronald McDonald House is not able to “reserve” a room for you. Your name is added to a “waiting list”.  Rooms are assigned in order, based on the date and time your name is placed on the waiting list.
• We are unable to take reservations because we never know how long a child may need to be treated at the hospital.
• Families may check-in between the hours of 9:00 am-8:30 pm.  Please allow at least 30 minutes for the check in process, which includes a brief orientation/tour and minimal paperwork.  Check-ins must be completed by 9:00pm (RMHC does not have 24 hour overnight check-ins).

Each Ronald McDonald House family is asked to make an estimated time for check-in. All adult guests are required to have a photo ID with them at check-in. When the family arrives at the House, they will be required to complete the check-in process with a member of the House staff/ volunteers. During this check-in process, the family will receive a brief introduction, a review of House policies and procedures, and will be given a tour of the House. A Ronald McDonald House volunteer/staff member will also show the family to their private bedroom/bathroom and provide them with room keys.  After the check-in process, families are able to return to the hospital, relax in their room, enjoy a meal with their family and other guests in the dining room or spend time in any of the common areas within our House.

• One room per patient family with a maximum of five per room (3 adults maximum). No exceptions.
• At least one parent/guardian/primary caregiver must be present at check-in.  All RMHC guests over 18 years of age staying overnight at RMHC must present a valid photo identification.
• Families may check-in between the hours of 9 am-8:30 pm.  Please allow at least 30 minutes for the check in process, which includes a brief orientation/tour and minimal paperwork. Check-ins must be completed by 9 pm (RMHC does not have 24 hour overnight check-ins).
• We require everyone staying to be infection-free.  If a patient is in isolation please note on referral for follow-up.
• We have a suggested donation of $20 per night, however no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay.
• The building and grounds of Ronald McDonald House are drug and smoke-free.
• RMHC is a secure facility. Once families check in, they are free to come and go as they please. RMHC policy asks that you use your room every 24 hours. If you are not able to use the room daily, RMHC asks that you check-out.
• Families clean their rooms before check-out.
• Families must be respectful and tolerant of other families who are equally concerned about the well-being of their children.

Please bring the following with you for check-in:

• Every person over 18 years of age staying overnight at RMHC must present a valid photo identification upon check-in.
• RMHC has an access control system to help keep our families safe.  We require a deposit of $10 each for the Access Key Cards that you will be using to open your door.  Key cards are assigned upon check-in. Key deposits can be made with cash, check or credit card and the payment will be returned when you check out as long as the key is not lost or damaged.

The House includes: rooms with two single beds or a queen bed, a private bathroom, a television and a phone.  Cribs, cots, sleeping bags are available upon request. Linens and towels are provided. There are fully equipped community kitchens and dining areas. Families have access to pantries that provide an assortment of food choices, as well as our meal program that provides a meal almost every day. Families are responsible for maintaining their rooms’ cleanliness and doing their own laundry. There are washers and dryers provided at no cost.  Parking spaces are provided for any guest with a car.

Please contact the manager on duty at 414.935.6510 or you are able to view a virtual tour on our website.

One room per patient family. No exceptions.

In compliance with fire code regulations for the city of Wauwatosa, no more than five people may stay in a room (three adults maximum).

Yes, the patient must be 21 years of age or younger, excluding pregnant mothers receiving fetal care.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill or injured children. Since our doors opened in 1984, more than 38,000 families have called the Ronald McDonald House in Milwaukee home.

We are committed to providing a sense of community and emotional support that allows our families to focus solely on their children’s health. Our House offers a variety of areas for children and parents to relax and have fun including:

• • • Creative Arts Therapies
    • Pet Therapy
    • Family Garden Education
    • Magic Room
    • Kids Can Cook
    • Playroom