Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the questions families ask most often. If you still have questions, we’re here to help. Call us at (406) 541-7646, email jballard@ronaldmcdonaldhousemissoula.org or stop by the Front Desk.
Here are answers to some of the questions families ask most often. If you still have questions, we’re here to help. Call us at (406) 541-7646, email jballard@ronaldmcdonaldhousemissoula.org or stop by the Front Desk.
Families may be eligible to stay when:
Families must:
All stays are subject to room availability.
Guests staying for a high-risk pregnancy must have another adult caregiver with them at all times during their stay.
Yes. All stays begin with a referral from a hospital social worker, case manager, nurse or another member of your healthcare team. Families cannot request a room directly.
Once we receive your referral, our Family Services team will contact you with next steps.
No. A referral lets us know your family needs a place to stay, but room placement depends on availability. Once we receive and review your referral, our Family Services team will keep you informed about room availability and next steps.
Families are invited to make a suggested contribution of $25 per night if they are able, but no family is ever turned away or asked to leave because of an inability to pay.
The actual cost to provide lodging, meals, everyday essentials and family support is approximately $130 per family, per night. The difference is made possible through the generosity of donors and community partners.
Yes. If you are covered by Medicaid, please provide your information as soon as possible. Medicaid may reimburse Ronald McDonald House Missoula for a portion of the cost of your stay.
Providing this information does not affect your eligibility to stay at the House and you will never be denied a stay because you are unable to make the suggested nightly contribution.
There is no set limit on the length of your stay. Families may stay at Ronald McDonald House Missoula as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements and are actively involved in their child’s medical care.
Once your child is discharged from medical care, we ask that your family check out of the House within 24 hours. If your child’s care plan changes during your stay, please talk with our Family Services team so we can discuss next steps together.
Each family is provided one guest room with a maximum of four people in the room at any one time. Anyone staying overnight or accessing a guest room must be registered with Ronald McDonald House Missoula and complete our required guest safety screening.
Bring clothing, medications, personal items and anything specific your family may need. Ronald McDonald House Missoula provides bedding, towels, laundry detergent, household supplies, food and many other everyday essentials.
Don’t worry. Many families arrive in Missoula unexpectedly or are transported here with little time to prepare. We have toiletries, household essentials, food, laundry supplies and other items available. Please let our team know what you need.
Absolutely. Once you’re checked in, you’re welcome to come and go as your family’s schedule requires. There is no curfew, and you do not need to check in and out with us each time you leave or return.
If you plan to leave the Missoula area for several hours, a full day or longer, please let our Family Services team know before you go. Knowing who is present at the House and who is away helps us keep everyone safe, plan meals and reach you if needed.
If you’ll be away for an extended period, we ask that you leave your room keys with the Front Desk for safekeeping until you return.
And of course, we always love seeing you. Whether you need something, have an update to share or just want to stop by for a high five or a hug, our team is here for you.
Yes. Ronald McDonald House Missoula is a shared home, and we ask every family to help care for it during their stay.
Families are expected to keep their guest room reasonably clean and tidy and to clean up after themselves when using the kitchens, dining areas, playrooms, laundry rooms or other shared spaces. Cleaning supplies and household essentials are available throughout the House.
Once each week, a member of our team will complete a brief room check. This gives us an opportunity to check in with your family, make sure you have what you need, identify any maintenance or repair needs and help ensure guest rooms remain clean, safe and comfortable throughout your stay.
If you need cleaning supplies, notice something that needs attention or could use a little help, please let us know.
Yes. Breakfast is available each morning through Sunny Start, along with snacks and pantry staples throughout the day. Meals from the Heart provides dinner for guest families nearly every evening thanks to generous volunteers, donors and community partners. Leftovers are packaged in individual, reheatable containers, making it easy to enjoy a meal later or pack a lunch for the hospital the next day.
Families are also welcome to prepare their own meals in our fully equipped kitchen. When volunteers are using the kitchen to prepare meals for guest families, we ask that you wait until they have finished before using the kitchen for personal cooking.
If you or someone in your family has food allergies, dietary restrictions or other dietary needs, please let our Family Services team know. We do our best to accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions, but because many of our meals are generously prepared and donated by volunteers and community partners, we cannot guarantee that every meal will meet every dietary need.
If you have specific or significant dietary restrictions, you may want to keep some of your family’s preferred foods on hand. If you arrive unexpectedly or don’t have what you need, please let us know. We’ll do everything we can to help.
Yes. Ronald McDonald House Missoula has four laundry rooms available for guest families. Laundry rooms may be used between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to help keep the House quiet during overnight hours.
Laundry detergent and other supplies are provided at no cost.
Our guest rooms do not have televisions, and that’s intentional.
Guest rooms are designed to provide a quiet place to rest and recharge. A television with streaming services is available in the family living room. Our common areas also provide opportunities to spend time and connect with other families when you choose.
Yes. Siblings are an important part of the family and are welcome to stay, subject to our room occupancy guidelines. Our Super Siblings program, Discovery Room Play Area and Grizzly Den Family Game Room provide opportunities for siblings to play, create, connect and simply be kids.
Yes. Children under age 18 must be supervised by a parent, guardian or other responsible adult at all times while at Ronald McDonald House Missoula.
Children may not be left alone in a guest room or anywhere else in the House.
From time to time, children may participate in Super Siblings activities or other programs with members of our team. We’ll let you know if those activities include staff supervision or require a parent or caregiver to remain present.
Yes. Family and friends are welcome to visit between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
We encourage visits in our shared common areas.
For the privacy and safety of all families, guest rooms are reserved for registered guests who have completed our required guest safety screening. Visitors who have not completed this screening should remain in the common areas of the House.
All visitors must check in at the Front Desk when they arrive and follow House policies during their visit.
Yes. Anyone staying overnight or accessing a guest room must be registered with the House and complete our required guest safety screening. Please talk with our Family Services team in advance if you’d like to add or change an overnight guest.
Each family has one guest room with a maximum of four people in the room at any one time.
Quiet hours are observed from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. each day to provide a peaceful environment where families can rest.
We understand that children don’t always follow a schedule. If your child is having trouble sleeping or needs space to play or make a little more noise during quiet hours, please use the dining room, kitchen or Discovery Room Play Area, where doors can be closed to help keep the guest room areas quiet.
We also ask that laundry not be done during quiet hours and that noise be kept to a minimum in hallways, guest rooms and other shared spaces.
Pets and other animals are not permitted inside Ronald McDonald House Missoula or in vehicles parked on House property. Families traveling with a pet will need to make arrangements for their care offsite.
Trained service animals are welcome in accordance with applicable law. Please let our Family Services team know before you arrive if you’ll be accompanied by a service animal so we can prepare for your stay.
No. Ronald McDonald House Missoula is a smoke and vape free property. Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the House, anywhere on House property or in vehicles parked on the property.
Guests who wish to smoke or vape can do so at the park behind the House or along Fort Missoula Road.
No. Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted anywhere on Ronald McDonald House Missoula property at any time.
Because many of the children and families staying at Ronald McDonald House Missoula are medically fragile, please let our team know right away if anyone in your family develops symptoms of illness. We’ll work with you to determine the safest next steps for your family and everyone staying at the House.
For a medical, fire or other life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
Ronald McDonald House Missoula is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need assistance from our team at any time, call (406) 541-7646 to reach the staff member on duty.
We encourage you to save this number in your phone when you arrive so you can easily reach us whenever you need us.
We understand that medical plans and discharge dates can change quickly. When you have an idea of when your family may be checking out, please keep our team updated, even if the date is tentative. This helps us prepare for the next family who may be waiting for a place to stay.
Before leaving, please:
We know plans don’t always go as expected, so don’t worry if your anticipated checkout date changes. Just keep us posted when you can.