Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of Central Texas Inc

TO PROVIDE LODGING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CRITICALLY ILL OR INJURED CHILDREN.

THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS LOCATED ON THE DELL CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS. THE 30,000 SQUARE FOOT, CERTIFIED GREEN BUILDING IS THE FIRST LEED PLATINUM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN THE WORLD. THE 30 GUEST ROOM HOUSE IS A HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME THAT KEEPS FAMILIES TOGETHER SO THEY CAN STAY CLOSE TO THEIR HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN. FAMILIES STAYING AT THE HOUSE RECEIVE DAILY PREPARED MEALS, INTERNET ACCESS, LAUNDRY FACILITIES AND SUPPLIES, ACCESS TO A FITNESS ROOM AND PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE SERVED 312 FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED CHILDREN IN 2021. THIS INCLUDED 1002 TOTAL FAMILY MEMBERS SERVED FOR A TOTAL OF 8,251 ROOM NIGHTS PROVIDED TO FAMILIES. RMH WAS ONLY OPERATING WITH 25 OF THE 30 GUEST ROOMS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND REINSTATEMENT GUIDELINES PROVIDED BY RMHC GLOBAL. THIS RESTRICTION REMAINED IN PLACE FOR ALL OF 2021.

THE HEALING HEARTS PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL BURIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES IN THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF A CHILD. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITY WITH A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SUPPORT OF $700. DURING 2021,135 FAMILIES WERE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE PROGRAM. HEALING HEARTS ALSO PROVIDES A FACILITATED BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD AS WELL AS A MEMORIAL SERVICE TO CELEBRATE THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN. DUE TO COVID 19 PANDEMIC, THE BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM WAS MODIFIED TO BE OFFERED VIRTUALLY, AND THE ANNUAL, IN-PERSON MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS CANCELED.

SIX RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS LOCATED AT ST. DAVID'S WOMEN'S CENTER OF TEXAS, DELL CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER, ST. DAVID'S MEDICAL CENTER, SETON MEDICAL CENTER AUSTIN,ST. JOSEPH REGIONAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN BRYAN AND ST. JOSEPH HEALTH COLLEGE STATION HOSPITAL PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE FAMILIES CAN REST AND REGROUP WHILE STAYING CLOSE THEIR TO CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN IN THE NEONATAL OR PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNITS. DURING 2021, THE FAMILY ROOMS PROVIDED ACCOMODATIONS TO 461 LOCAL FAMILIES. PROGRAM SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL CENTRAL TEXAS-AREA FAMILIES WITH HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN. ALL RMFR PROGRAM SITES WERE OPERATING AT 50% CAPACITY FOR SLEEP ROOMS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND ONLY HALF OF THE RMFR OVERNIGHT ROOMS WERE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY PATIENT FAMILIES. NONE OF THE COMMUNAL SPACES WERE OPEN FOR DAY-USE VISITS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND PARTNER HOSPITAL POLICIES. THIS REMAINED IN PLACE ALL OF 2021.

THE HAPPY WHEELS HOSPITALITY CARTS STROLL THE HALLWAYS OF FIVE CENTRAL TEXAS HOSPITALS PROVIDING COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGES, SNACKS, SMALL TOYS, AND TOILETRIES TO FAMILIES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN. DURING 2021, 22,139 ITEMS WERE DISTRIBUTED IN CENTRAL TEXAS. FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE HWC PROGRAMS WERE OPERATING DURING 2021. OUR HWC PROGRAM AT ST. DAVID'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WAS SUSPENDED ALL OF 2021.