Coronavirus Prevention

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Coronavirus Prevention

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio is committed to providing clean and healthy family-centered spaces for families to rest, recharge and connect with one another. The health and well-being of our guest families, staff, volunteers and community are our top priority.

The following changes are in effect to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS

  • Ronald McDonald House Programs in Akron and Cleveland are open and accepting room requests. More information can be found on the room request page for each location:
    Akron Room Request | Cleveland Room Request
    COVID-19 protocols include, but are not limited to:

    • Health screening upon entry
    • Social distancing
    • Facemask requirements
    • Limited use of common areas
  • Ronald McDonald Family Room programs are open with limited hours. Safety protocols and restrictions are in effect and will be strictly enforced. Family Room hours by location (subject to change without notice):
    • Cleveland Clinic Children’s: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
    • UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday
    • Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
    • MetroHealth Medical Center: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
    • The STAR Center at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Outpatient Center: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday – Friday (Hours subject to change without notice). COVID-19 safety protocols are in effect.
  • In-person group volunteer activities are returning to the Cleveland and Akron House, subject to group size and safety guidelines.
  • We are welcoming back individual volunteers for some programs, subject to guidelines.

HOUSE VISITORS

  • Non-essential visitors are limited and all visitors will be screened for risk factors before being permitted to enter the House and must wear face masks.

DONATIONS

  • In-kind donations are being accepted using vestibule or outside drop-off. We are in most need of toiletries, paper products, cleaning products and gift cards and other wish list items.

Your support via monetary and food donations will be even more important in the weeks ahead. Due to the limits on meal groups, monetary and grocery gift card donations are critically needed. If you are able, please consider a contribution. We, and our families, are grateful for your help.

RedTreehouse.org: Resources for Families at Home

Many schools are still using remote learning or hybrid models, and some are returning fully in person. How can you keep your children learning, engaged and healthy? How can you help if your child is experiencing anxiety about returning in person? RedTreehouse.org, our Ronald McDonald Family Resource Link, has many tools, guides and other resources to help. The site now covers OH, PA and WV.

You can search by key words and region, or use the advanced search to add filters of age, topic and more. We’ve have added listings for COVID-19 state and national websites and hotlines, tools for how to talk to children about the situation, and kid-friendly learning resources.

STAY-AT-HOME FUN FOR KIDS! A PRINTABLE RESOURCE, courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities

While all our lives are currently upended during this difficult time, we want to provide some fun for YOU and YOUR family, to provide a little family-centered care to you as well! If you have kids — or maybe grandchildren, nieces or nephews that you haven’t seen for weeks — these activities are a perfect way to brighten their day! Print it out and relax with your children coloring and completing these activities. Or share it with any special children in your life to let them know that they are close to you in your heart, even when you’re separated.

Ongoing Efforts and Guidance Updates

We are continuing to work with our hospital partners and to review updates and guidance set by governments and health officials. We encourage everyone to educate themselves and respond thoughtfully. Keep up-to-date on the national guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or find state resources on the Ohio Department of Health’s website. You can also ask questions by calling 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

View local updates, hospital visitation policies and ways to seek assistance on our hospital partners’ pages:

We will remain attentive to the changing conditions and will make further announcements as necessary.

We thank you for your understanding and support during this time.