Our Programs
Helping families stay together
Family Room:
In partnership with our medical partner, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, a space resides within the hospital’s walls, open for any hospital guest desiring to remain at the bedside of a sick loved one.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room is a testament to RMHC’s commitment to being wherever families need them most. This is a space for families to recharge while their loved one is receiving the care they need.
What services are provided:
- Laundry
- Shower
- Snacks & meals
- Coffee & tea
- Lounge Area
Who is eligible:
- These services are available to anyone with an immediate family member in the Erlanger, Children’s or Siskin Hospitals with an updated visitor’s badge.
Hospitality A La Carte:
As an extension of the Family Room, the Hospitality a la Carte was launched in 2017 to allow RMHC of Greater Chattanooga to further the reach to more family members with a loved one in Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Operated by Erlanger volunteers, the Hospitality a la Carte visits patient’s rooms in Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care, Labor and Delivery rooms, and the High-risk Pregnancy Unit mornings every Monday-Friday. Offering coffee and tea, snacks, reading materials as well as small toys and crafts.
Contact Kathryn Gervasi, Family Room Wellness Navigator, for more information.
House:
The core of RMHC’s mission stands as a legacy of compassion and comfort for families facing the challenges of pediatric medical care. Our 28-bedroom facility offers comfortable, convenient, free lodging accommodations that guarantee a hot meal every single night and a community environment for families going through a difficult journey.
Serving families with critically ill or injured children, the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House is a home directly across the street from Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
How to stay:
A social worker or medical personnel from the hospital where the patient is receiving treatment must send an initial referral to request a room at the Ronald McDonald House.
Please note, a request does not guarantee a room is available. Once the referral has been made, the Ronald McDonald House will contact the Hospital. Once the referral has been processed and approved, a staff member will contact the family directly for next steps.
Who is eligible?
The families of patients between the ages of 0-21 and live at least 15 miles away from the hospital are eligible for the services provided by the Ronald McDonald House.
Eligibility is based on:
- Severity of the patient’s condition
- Critically-ill patients and cancer patients are given priority
- How far the family travels to receive medical treatment
What services are provided?
A private bedroom with a full bath, television and free Wi-Fi. One room per family is provided unless the parents are divorced.
- Laundry Facilities and supplies
- Private kitchen on each floor
- “Help Yourself” wall with free necessities for your stay
- Guaranteed evening meals served daily in the Great Kitchen
- Numerous food items to prepare breakfast, lunch or snacks
- Breast milk refrigerators & lockers as well as pumping rooms
- Great Room (our living room area)
- Playroom
- Playground
- Teen lounge
- Patio
What should we bring?
Families may bring clothes, medicine and food for a special diet.
Where should we park? Complimentary parking is offered adjacent to the Ronald McDonald House. Parking in the hospital garage is subject to the fees established by the hospital.
Contact Tonya West, Director of House Operations, for more information.
Mindful Room:
The RMHC of Greater Chattanooga Mindful Room was introduced in the summer of 2023 as a response to the understanding and importance of mental well-being. This innovative space offers families a serene retreat where they can engage in mindfulness activities during their stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their child is in the hospital.
Some classes we offer:
- Breakfast & Breathe
- Spa Therapies such as facials & massages
- Yoga Classes
- Meditation Classes
The RMHC Mindful Room is on the second floor of the Ronald McDonald House open 24/7 for families to take a moment and relax in a space outside of their bedroom or other common areas.
Contact Carla Sewell, Chief Programs Officer, for more information.
House to Home:
RMHC of Greater Chattanooga’s newest program initiative launched as a partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga March of 2024. The House to Home Program, available in Bradley County at the Cleveland Family YMCA, offers families who have left the Ronald McDonald House an opportunity to learn more about the services they have access to once they travel home after a traumatic experience.
Part of the RMHC Continuum of Care, our House to Home Program supports families throughout their child’s wellness journey. Whether you are a local Bradley County resident or recently discharged from the Ronald McDonald House, this program offers comprehensive medical-related navigation services.
Services Included:
- Medical and Social Needs Assessment
- Discharge and Diagnosis Response Planning
- Case Management and Goal Setting
- Peer Networking and Group Meetings
- Community-based Resource Linkage
- Information/Referral
Contact LaToya Walters, House to Home Wellness Navigator, for more information.
423.331.5074 | LaToya.Walters@rmhchattanooga.com
