Eligibility & How to Stay
Eligibility
- Be a parent, legal guardian or primary caregiver of a child being treated at a partner hospital who is 21 years of age or younger.
- Families must occupy a room for a minimum of one night and can stay with us for as many nights as their child is receiving continuous care. Families must use the room at least once every 24 hours.
- Provide outpatient appointment schedules for self-referrals for Children’s WI, Froedtert or Aurora Women’s Health in the form of a MyChart screenshot emailed to referrals@rmhc-easternwi.org or attached to the intake forms prior to your arrival. See our Outpatient Appointment Expectations for more information.
To help foster a supportive and respectful environment, RMHC Eastern Wisconsin conducts background screenings for all guests. Certain offenses—such as violent crimes, child abuse, domestic abuse or being listed on the Sex Offender Registry—will affect eligibility to stay. We understand that every situation is unique, and guests deemed ineligible may request a review through a structured appeal process. Additional screenings may take place based on behaviors or concerns outlined in our Background Policy. Final eligibility decisions are made at the discretion of RMHC.
How to Stay
New guest families:
- RMHC® Eastern Wisconsin will need a referral. The Family Services team will contact the family five days prior to the anticipated arrival. Same day referrals must be submitted by 7:00 p.m.
- For Children’s Wisconsin:
- Contact the Children’s Wisconsin Patient Relations Department (414.266.3465) or the child’s social worker to have the referral submitted. A signed release of information will also be required upon check in.
- For Rogers Behavioral Health:
- Contact the Rogers Behavioral Health intake specialist, social worker, program manager or care coordinator to have the referral submitted. A signed release of information will also be required.
- All families receiving care at any Rogers Behavioral Health location are also welcome to visit our Ronald McDonald Family Room. Families do not need to be staying overnight at the House to visit the Family Room. The Family Room is located on the Rogers Behavioral Health campus in Oconomowoc and is open seven days/week from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- For all other local hospital partners:
- Contact a member of the care team at the hospital where the child is being treated. The medical personnel can request the referral link from referrals@rmhc-easternwi.org. A signed release of information will also be required upon check in.
- Once the referral is submitted to RMHC Eastern Wisconsin, the family will be added to the waiting list. A Family Services staff member will call the family five days prior to requested arrival to confirm all information provided. Any questions can be directed to the Family Services Team at 414.935.6510.
Returning guest families:
- If a family has stayed at RMHC Eastern Wisconsin within the last year, the primary caregiver may self-refer for the same patient and same hospital by submitting an online form. The family will then be placed on the waiting list and contacted by Family Services five days prior to arrival. A new referral will be required if a different child is receiving care, if the hospital partner has changed, or if it has been a year since the referral was submitted.
