Ronald McDonald House New York: Expanding Access to Healthcare, One Family at a Time

At Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY), supporting families with critically ill children has always been at the heart of the mission. Today, that mission extends far beyond the walls of the House itself through innovative healthcare initiatives that meet families where they are.

One of the most significant of these efforts is RMH-NY’s Population Health program, which helps NYC families navigate essential supports like housing, food, and transportation. Thanks to the close collaboration between Jamillah, who leads Population Health initiatives, and Kaitlin, Assistant Director of Family Support Programs, RMH-NY is building a future where families can rely on more than just a place to stay, they can rely on a comprehensive network of healthcare navigation, social support, and compassionate community care.

When combined with the generous gifts from our community of individual donors, this sustainable funding stream becomes a powerful source for good— expanding our impact and enabling us to support more families with each passing year. House leadership is creating an unstoppable force of good that will consistently grow its reach and continue supporting even more families every year far into the future.

This innovative mindset is woven into the House’s strategic growth plan reinforcing that Ronald McDonald House New York is truly #MoreThanAHouse.

Population Health at RMH-NY focuses on addressing the social determinants of health — things like food insecurity, housing instability, and access to healthcare — that dramatically impact a family’s ability to care for a child with a life-threatening illness.

Building on the success of an early partnership with a major New York City payer from 2023 to 2024, RMH-NY demonstrated that mission-driven, community-based care coordination can improve health outcomes while providing real value to healthcare partners. That pilot reached more than 1,700 members and delivered over 1,400 services, validating the model and laying the groundwork for RMH-NY’s participation in the New York State Medicaid 1115 Health Equity Reform Waiver. Through this initiative, RMH-NY is now expanding its Population Health work to help families overcome barriers to housing, food, transportation, and healthcare, extending its mission of compassion and connection across all five boroughs. 

In 2024, New York State introduced the Medicaid 1115 Waiver, a multi-year initiative designed to strengthen coordination between healthcare providers and community-based organizations. The goal is to ensure that families have access to both medical care and the essential support that contribute to long-term health and stability, such as housing, nutrition, transportation, and employment resources.

Through this initiative, RMH-NY is expanding its Population Health work to identify families’ needs early and connect them to ongoing support. The team’s priorities under the waiver include:

• Screening families for food, housing, and transportation insecurity
• Linking families to community resources such as food programs, childcare support, and housing assistance
• Providing case management to help families achieve stability and improve overall well-being

Working in partnership with three Social Care Networks—Public Health Solutions, SOMOS Community Care, and Staten Island PPS—RMH-NY provides community-based care coordination for families across all five boroughs, helping them address the challenges that most affect their health and stability.

The impact of this work can already be seen through families like Grace Johnson and her daughter, Gracie Rose. When Grace connected with RMH-NY’s Population Health team, she was navigating the challenges of new motherhood while facing housing and financial instability. Through the resources provided by the waiver, RMH-NY was able to link her to critical support such as housing assistance, childcare resources, and transportation help so she could focus on caring for her baby and rebuilding stability for her family.

Grace’s story reflects what the waiver is designed to achieve: giving families the tools and connections they need to thrive, not just survive. With the support of RMH-NY’s dedicated Community Health Workers, Grace was able to find stability, confidence, and hope—one step at a time.

. Click here to read their story.

Behind every family story like Grace’s is a strong internal partnership driving the work forward. At Ronald McDonald House New York, the success of Population Health depends on close coordination between Jamillah, who leads the organization’s external health equity programs, and Kaitlyn, Assistant Director of Family Support, who oversees direct services for families staying at the House.

Together, they bridge community-based care with in-house family support—ensuring that whether a family connects through a hospital referral, a social care network, or directly at the House, they receive comprehensive and coordinated help. This collaboration has been key to aligning programs, improving referral systems, and delivering care that truly meets families where they are.

Their teamwork strengthens every aspect of family support, ensuring a smoother experience for the families we serve—from outreach and enrollment to ongoing care coordination.

RMH-NY’s commitment to health access for all families doesn’t stop at 405 E 73rd Street. Through Family Rooms, Hospitality Carts, and community-based programs, the House supports thousands more families each year right inside New York City’s public hospitals.

 – Private space for caregivers only steps from their child’s hospital bed.

 – Respite from hospital stress — quiet rooms, showers, meals, computers, laundry.

 – Emotional support from trained RMH-NY staff.

 – Connection to additional RMH-NY programs and Population Health services.

Hospital family rooms make it possible for families with very sick children to rest, recharge, and be close at hand — especially in NYC’s safety-net hospitals, which serve large Medicaid and uninsured populations.

• NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Hospital
• Montefiore Medical Center -Bronx campus

As Medicaid reforms continue and as technology reshapes healthcare, RMH-NY remains focused on strengthening human connection. Maintaining trust, personal dignity, and community remains the gold standard.

The path ahead is clear — serve as many families as quickly as possible, build sustainable funding, and prepare for a future where home-based care is the new norm.

With Jamillah, Kaitlyn, and the RMH-NY team working tirelessly across programs, the House is setting a national example for innovation in pediatric support services.

And most importantly, families facing their most difficult days know they can count on RMH-NY for safety, community, and unwavering compassion.

Ronald McDonald House New York is — and always will be — #MoreThanAHouse.

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