Using Developmentally Effective Approaches

The goal of the Ronald McDonald House is to provide a close location for parents to rest during their child’s hospitalization, thus enabling them to support them and be closely involved in their medical care. Parental involvement benefits children medically and with their education. The support from the Ronald McDonald House ensures families are aware of medical care, complications, procedures, and discharge information. It improves social-emotional outcomes post hospitalization and can improve healing times.

Parents experience emotional stress when trying to find life balance during a child’s hospitalization, time off work for these stays creates financial strain. Ronald McDonald House provides free lodging and meals to ease these stresses and make involvement easier. Benefits include psychosocial support for parents and children and more comprehensive care. Having parental support during a hospital stay can reduce stress for both the parent and the child, achieving better healing outcomes (Pineda et al., 2019). Children’s hospitals and support services offer education services to hospitalized children, keeping children engaged and parents involved. Family involvement in education creates a lifelong love of learning, increases attendance, academic achievement, and improves behaviors/social skill (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2022). The environment supports child-family connections to improve emotional wellbeing and life balance.

Volunteers are trained and expected to have positive interactions with guests within the house, including parents and other children. These interactions can entail finding activities, locating resources, and just making conversation. Following house rules and reminding parents of Ronald McDonald House expectations to ensure other guest satisfaction. Inviting families to house events and services, such as musical therapy or holiday activities.

Resources

Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2022). The Role of Parental Involvement in Students' Academic Achievement. http://www.aecf.org/blog/parental- involvement-is-key-to-student-success- research-shows

Pineda, R., Bender, J., Hall, B., Shabosky, L., Anneca, A., & Smith, J. (2019). Parent Participation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Predictors and Relationships to Neurobehavioral and Developmental Outcomes (PMC5856604). National Library of Medicine. http://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/pmc5856604/