• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Home of Guiding Hands

Donate Now
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Leadership
    • Credentials
    • News & Happenings
  • Services
    • Residential Services
      • Current Vacancies
    • Adult Foster Home
    • Independent Living Skills
    • Tailored Day
    • Financial Management Services (FMS)
    • Infant Development Assessments
    • Early Childhood Development
    • Life Planning
    • Respite
    • Transportation Services
  • Events
    • Roses & Reins 51st Annual Gala
  • Careers
  • Ways To Help
    • Cares Club
    • Hands of Hope
    • Employee Gift Card Campaign
    • Cause Shop
    • Wishlist
    • Disability Advocates
    • Volunteer with us!
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Residential Services

A Safe and Comfortable Setting

We believe that individuals thrive where they can direct their own lives in a comfortable setting.


24-Hour Care and
Supervision

Residential staff are awake and
available around the clock.

Read More

Personal Growth and
Skill Development

It is important to develop life
skills for a variety of environ...

Read More

Meaningful Activities at
Home & The Community

Having fun and enjoying life is
important to everyone...

Read More

Varying Levels of Care

Several levels of specialty
supports and services, based...

Read More

Care For All Ages

We offer cohesive peer groups
and care for a wide range of...

Read More

Coordination With Schools,
Day and Work Programs

Residents attend a variety of
schools, day programs and...

Read More

Take a tour of one of our residential homes, Castillo Verde!

 

https://www.guidinghands.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Residential-Home-Tour-Home-of-Guiding-Hands.mp4

Answering Your Key Questions

How do I know which home is the right fit?

We want to get to know you! Through conversations, meet-and-greets, tours of the homes and gathering information. Determining a good fit involves shared decision-making and discussion with the individual and their support circle, including the Regional Center and family members. It is important to consider care needs and preferences as well as good matches to peer groups, interests, and activities. 

Is the placement short-term or long-term?

Everyone has different needs and preferences. Placement length is determined by individual choices and required support needs.  Each person is assessed regularly to evaluate changing needs. Our goal is to create a positive environment where people grow.  For some that could be a lifetime, for others a natural chapter before their next phase of life.

How does the funding work?

A variety of funding sources support Residential opportunities. Funding can often be confusing and overwhelming — we’ll help you figure it out along with the Regional Center.  Everyone has different benefits available.  Services are generally covered through an individual’s benefits, such as Social Security, Medi-Cal, or Regional Center funding.  Payeeship support is also available.

Where are the homes located?

Located in East San Diego County residential neighborhoods. Natural home settings in established community neighborhoods of San Diego, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, Spring Valley and Lemon Grove.  Our homes are all owned by HGH.

What does the staffing look like?

Each home has specific staffing requirements defined by the license type. HGH staff are available throughout the day and evening, and are awake overnight.  Each team member is thoroughly vetted through background checks and fingerprint clearance. 

All employees are CPR /First Aid certified and attend ongoing in-service training on a variety of required topics. HGH staff are compassionate, patient, purpose-driven people who truly want to make a positive difference.

What kind of personal care support is provided?

Dignified and respectful support. Personal care includes assistance with daily activities such as showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, nutrition, mealtimes, and medication administration.

What kind of behavioral support is provided?

We have established experience working with people who have behavior challenges. HGH serves people with a wide variety of behavioral challenges including physical and verbal outbursts, self-injury, aggression, and property destruction. An initial screening process and regular reviews offers social-emotional support to help individuals learn healthier coping skills and promotes safety.

What other services does HGH offer? Can I receive more than 1 service from HGH?

HGH often serves people in multiple programs.  Whether receiving several services at the same time or when transitioning from one HGH program to another, we will provide the support you need.  Please see our service pages for information about all our programs.  For more specific information or additional questions, contact us at 619-938-2850 or info@guidinghands.org.

If you have questions or want more information about
Home of Guiding Hands Residential Services,
please contact Laurie Purcell at
laurie@guidinghands.org or (619) 938-2883

Learn About Our Respite Services

Learn More

Follow Us

dashicons-facebook-altdashicons-linkedindashicons-instagramdashicons-youtube

Call us: (619) 938-2850 Email us: info@guidinghands.org Our location: 1908 Friendship Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020
Tax ID: 95-6058273


Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility | Ethics Hotline | Design by Tinyfrog Technologies

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept All Reject All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Support with Basic Needs

We can help with: 

  • Meal preparation and feeding
  • Bathing and grooming
  • Restroom use and continence management
  • Dressing and undressing
  • Mobility – walking, lifting, and transfers
Offered in English and Spanish

Our team is bilingual and culturally responsive, offering the workshops in both English and Spanish in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

New Perspectives

Sometimes families feel stuck and don’t know what to do.  Through our interactive sessions, families gain new insights and ideas from listening to each other’s experiences.

Proactive

We help families identify the future needs of their family member with a disability and consider what needs to be in place when they can no longer provide care.  Families report feeling a sense of relief after learning about the options and creating a plan.

Person-Centered

We utilize a person-centered and family-centered framework, which empowers individuals and their families to set and reach their own goals and make choices about their lives.

Workshop Topics

We present on a variety of topics including:

  • Support systems
  • Living options
  • Legal issues (including conservatorship)
  • Financial considerations (such as Special Needs Trusts)
  • Recreation and leisure
Peace of Mind

Families gain reassurance and peace of mind from knowing they have a plan to ensure the best life possible for their family member with a disability. 

Parent Play Group

Parent Play Groups, which are facilitated by our teachers every month, are fun gatherings where families support their child’s development and each other.  Children love the games, crafts, and music, and parents enjoy the opportunity to connect with others with similar experiences.

Areas of Development

Interventions that are proven to benefit:

  • Cognitive and physical development
  • Speech and language
  • Social and emotional development
  • Self-help and coping skills
  • Behavior management
Play Based Sessions

Children enjoy fun new activities each week.  Through home visits centered around play, parents are coached through interventions designed to promote their child’s growth and learning. 

Service Types

Offering a variety of specialties to meet your needs:

  • Infant Education
  • Project Impact (a curriculum to increase children’s social communication)
  • Speech Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Infant Massage
Our Staff

Our team has pediatric experience and consists of credentialed teachers, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists, who are experts in supporting children’s development.

Family-Centered

We create a partnership by coaching parents and caregivers to learn strategies to foster their child’s development.  Our approach is relationship-based, culturally responsive, and tailored to each child.

Serving Families in Multiple Locations

Prioritizing your convenience by offering:

  • In-home assessments
  • Mobile assessments
  • Office visits
  • Flexible hours
Play-Based Assessments

Our pediatric evaluators guide children through a series of fun activities, designed to assess the child’s development through play.  Assessments can be completed with children who are pre-verbal. 

Our Staff

Our staff have pediatric experience and are experts in evaluating a child’s skills in the areas of cognitive development, speech, gross and fine motor skills, self-help skills, and social and emotional development.

Bilingual Assessments

Our team is culturally responsive and capable of working with families with a variety of backgrounds and languages.

Multi-disciplinary team

We send a team of experts to complete the assessment.  Our highly trained staff consists of credentialed teachers, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, and MFTs.

Building Healthy Relationships

We help our clients meet new people with similar interests, fostering a healthy support network and leading to a sense of inclusion and belonging.

Community Activities

Being part of a community is an essential part of feeling fulfilled.  We help our clients pursue hobbies, enjoy meaningful free time, and build relationships. 

Support Areas

One-on-one support for outings such as:

  • Exploring San Diego
  • Clubs and recreational activities
  • College classes
  • Adult education classes
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Community events
Our Staff

Each client is matched with a worker who helps the person reach their goals.  We hire qualified and caring staff who must pass a thorough fingerprinting and background-check process before being hired. 

Person-Centered

We empower people to set and reach their own goals and make choices about their lives. Our clients are equal partners in deciding what their services look like.

Social Activities & Healthy Relationships

Our social gatherings are one of the highlights of our ILS program!  We like to have fun together by holding activities such as parties, cooking classes, game nights, birthday celebrations, and more.  These activities are great opportunities to practice social skills and build relationships.

Community Activities

We help our clients pursue hobbies, enjoy meaningful free time, and build relationships.  This fosters a healthy support network and leads to a sense of inclusion and belonging.

Housing Assistance

We provide guidance with finding housing.  (Unfortunately, we do not have rental properties.)  We also help with tasks such as roommate-matching, setting up utilities, and accessing resources (Section 8, SDRC Rental Assistance, SDG&E discounts, etc.)

Skills Training

One-on-one support to build skills such as: 

  • Paying bills and budgeting
  • Grocery shopping
  • Cooking and meal preparation
  • Accessing medical and dental services
  • Laundry
  • Accessing benefits (Medi-Cal/MediCare, Social Security, Section 8)
  • Safety
  • Healthy relationships
Our Staff

Each client is matched with a worker who helps the person to reach their goals.  We hire qualified and caring staff who must pass a thorough fingerprinting and background-check process before being hired.

Person-Centered Services

We empower people to set and reach their own goals and make choices about their own lives. Our clients are equal partners in deciding what their services look like.

Our Foster Homes

Our homes are located throughout San Diego County and are as unique as our clients.  Our goal is to find the perfect home to meet each person’s needs.  All homes must pass a thorough certification process and are monitored regularly by HGH staff.  

Our Foster Families

We partner with people with the right combination of heart, compassion, and purpose and are proud of our diverse team of foster families.  We have an extensive screening and clearance process which includes fingerprints, background checks, health screening and drug testing. 

Areas of Support

Foster families provide support in a variety of areas including:

  • Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing, etc.)
  • Managing personal spending money
  • Coordinating and accompanying residents to medical appointments
  • Modeling positive behaviors to express emotions
  • Serving as an advocate during team meetings
  • Participating in fun activities at home and in the community
Teaching & Mentorship

Our foster families share their knowledge to help the adult(s) in their home build independence.  Growth takes place during everyday interactions and repeated opportunities to practice new skills.

Companionship

We match clients with loving families where they find a place of acceptance and belonging and experience life better — together.  

Person-Centered Services

We empower people to set and reach their own goals and make choices about their lives. Our clients are equal partners in deciding what their services look like.

Reduce Family Stress

Respite gives parents and caregivers time away to rest and recharge.  Families enjoy much-needed relief, knowing their loved one is in capable and caring hands.

Support at Home or in the Community

Respite takes place in the home or community, based on client and family preferences.  Respite Workers can walk with clients to neighborhood locations, or provide transportation in their personal vehicles or the family vehicle.

Meaningful Activities

Our staff spend time getting to the know the clients, and their likes and interests.  We strive to make respite a fun and supportive experience that clients and families alike look forward to!

Our Staff

We hire caring and qualified staff to care for those you love most. All employees must pass a thorough fingerprinting and background-check process before being hired, and staff receive initial and ongoing training.  We honor personal choice by encouraging families to choose their own workers through our family-specific hiring process.

Person Centered

We partner with clients and families to ensure that individual needs and preferences are met and empower people to set and reach their own goals.

Coordination With Schools, Day and Work Programs

Residents attend a variety of schools, day programs and work settings.  We work cooperatively with outside providers to ensure the consistency of required supports and personal choices. 

Care For All Ages

We offer cohesive peer groups and care for a wide range of ages and needs including: 

  • Children
  • Adolescents 
  • Adults
Varying Levels of Care

Several levels of specialty supports and services, based on identified needs.

  • A variety of care settings licensed through California Dept of Public Health and Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing.  
  • Individualized Service Plans
  • Ambulatory and non-ambulatory support
  • Behavior supports – addressing self-injurious, communication, physical interactions, psychiatric and emotional concerns
  • Medical supports and consultants – addressing nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, dietary, and pharmacy needs
Meaningful Activities at Home & The Community

Having fun and enjoying life is important to everyone.

Meaningful activities include:

  • Developing hobbies and interests
  • Being part of the neighborhood and local community 
  • Embracing and enjoying free time
  • Attending events and activities
  • Belonging
Personal Growth and Skill Development

It is important to develop life skills for a variety of environments and scenarios.  We focus on: 

  • Training as identified in Individual Service Plans 
  • Personal self-care goals 
  • Home-life independence goals
  • Self-advocacy and community inclusion goals
24-Hour Care and Supervision

Residential staff are awake and available around the clock. Our knowledgeable and caring employees are thoroughly vetted through an extensive background check process.