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Mom and daughter on sofa

What we do:
Ronald McDonald House

A place to be. A place to heal together.

When your child needs medical care far from home, staying close matters. Ronald McDonald House South Dakota provides a safe, supportive place to stay just steps from the hospital so you can be there for every moment of your child’s care and recovery. 

More than a place to sleep

Our Houses are spaces of comfort and connection; places where families can recharge, share meals, and find others who understand what they’re going through. Everything is provided at no cost. No family is ever turned away because of their financial situation.

You don’t have to do this alone

Since 1983, we’ve welcomed more than 21,600 families through our doors. Because no family should have to face a child’s medical journey alone. If your child is receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility, a member of their care team can refer you to stay with us.

Questions

Every family comes to us with questions. Here some we hear the most and the answers we hope make things a little easier.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners, there is no charge to stay with us.

We never turn a family away based on ability to pay, and income is never a factor in eligibility to stay. If you’re able to give, donations are always welcome, but they’re never required.

Medical Assistance is accepted for eligible families.

You may be eligible to stay with us if:

  • You live more than 30 miles from the House where you’re requesting to stay.
  • Your child is 21 or younger.
  • Your child is receiving care at a local hospital or clinic.
  • You have a referral from your social worker, case manager, or child’s care team.

To stay, families need a referral but you don’t need to do this alone. Ask your nurse, social worker, or other member of your child’s care team to start the referral process.

We want your stay to go as smoothly as possible. Here’s what to know before you arrive:

A referral is not a reservation and does not guarantee a room.

  • Call us the morning of your expected arrival to check availability.
  • Rooms are offered first-call, first-served.
  • If a room is open, we’ll assign it when you call.
  • If the House is full, we’ll place you on the waiting list.
  • Availability changes daily based on family needs and occupancy.

Our Houses are more than a place to sleep. They’re a place to breathe and regroup.

You’ll have access to:

  • A private bedroom with attached bathroom.
  • Shared kitchen, dining, and laundry areas — all at no cost.
  • A supportive community of staff, volunteers, and other families.
  • You can see a full list of amenities here: About the Houses.

To help keep the House safe and welcoming for everyone, we follow these guidelines:

  • Background checks are required for all guests age 18 and older.
  • We cannot accommodate guests with a history of child abuse or neglect.
  • When you arrive, our team will provide an orientation with rules and safety information.

 
Families help keep the House feeling like home by:

  • Cleaning their own bedrooms and bathrooms during their stay.
  • Cleaning up after themselves in all shared spaces.
  • Parents/guardians supervising their children at all times.
  • Respecting others—violence, theft, or property damage is not tolerated and may result in ending a family’s stay.

These guidelines are not comprehensive, and we’ll review additional policies during your orientation.

See inside the Houses

We want you to feel comfortable before you even arrive. Take a video tour of each of our Houses and see the spaces where families rest, share meals, and find a little bit of normal during an extraordinary time.

Ronald McDonald House program

About our Houses

See what’s available at our Houses.
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Our family stories

Hear directly from families who have stayed at Ronald McDonald House South Dakota.

Search Ronald McDonald House Chapter Site