Your family home instead of a group home — and the money to pay for it.

Empowering Virginia families to create, finance, and operate individual group homes for their loved ones with disabilities.

Free. No obligation. Talk with a parent who has done it

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Family-run, from lived experience

Founded by the single mom of an adult daughter with Angelman Syndrome.

Licensed Sponsored Residential Provider

Empowering Virginia families to create, finance, and operate individual group homes for their loved ones

Side-by-side, document-by-document

Guidance through every form, inspection, and training requirement.

Who we are

Founded by a mom who needed this option to exist

Lisa Escoto brings together her experience as a government employee, government contractor, and special needs mom to help Virginia families discover a path many do not know exists: using government funding to create an individual group home inside their own family home.

Through Virginia’s Sponsored Residential program and Community Living Waiver funding, Lisa’s adult daughter, Elena, who lives with Angelman Syndrome, can remain at home—cared for by the people who love, understand, and know her best—while receiving the caregiver support and resources needed to keep her safe, supported, and prevent family burnout.

Lisa created Family-Run Individual Group Homes of Virginia to empower other families to understand and choose this option with confidence and compassionate support.

What we do

Four ways we help you get there

The regulations are extensive, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. We guide you step by step and document by document so you can complete each requirement correctly, compliantly, and as quickly as possible.

Is this right for your family?

An honest look at what Virginia’s Sponsored Residential program offers, and what it asks of you as the Sponsor.

Housing approval, made concrete

Our Individual Group Home Roadmap and Housing Checklist show exactly what your home needs to qualify. Rentals count too.

Caregiver approval & training

Background checks, TB testing, CPR and First Aid, the 32-hour medication (MAT) course, agency onboarding — in order, with support.

Free webinars & resources

Live and on-demand sessions on waiver funding, housing, and community options in Northern Virginia.

Why it matters

The waiver already exists. Most families never hear what it can do.

Under Virginia’s Sponsored Residential program, a Developmental Disability Community Living Waiver can fund an individual group home inside your own house — with you as the Sponsor. Supplemental Security Income benefits continue.

Funds can be used to

Recruit and retain qualified staff at a competitive wage, with benefits
Pay yourself or a family member to provide care
Cover housing costs — mortgage, rent, utilities, upkeep
Pay for a day program, or build your own outings and activities
Pay for therapies, medical care, medications, and supplements
Pay for food
Cover anything else your loved one needs to be happy, healthy, and safe

The program also allows one or two individuals with disabilities in the home — so siblings can stay together, or a housemate can join with their own waiver funds.

The difference

We have been in your shoes

Lived experience, not a brochure

Our founder created, funds, and operates an individual group home in her own family home for her adult daughter. Now, she helps other families follow that same path with clear steps, practical tools, and guidance from someone who has lived it.

Technical support and steady footing

Clear procedures and practical support for the regulatory and administrative requirements of Virginia’s Sponsored Residential program—along with the steady, compassionate guidance families need throughout the process.

You retain control as the parent

The oversight is real: daily progress notes, monthly visits, inspections. In return you keep your loved one home, and you decide how the funds are spent.

“Lisa brings something truly rare and powerful to her work: genuine lived experience… This blending of professional expertise and personal insight creates an environment of trust, understanding, and advocacy.”

— Janice P., mom and sponsor to an adult son with autism

Learn. Understand. Take action.

Start with a webinar

Upcoming · live Q&A

Your Family Home Instead of a Group Home – and the Money to Pay for It

Housing options
Sponsored Residential FAQs
Creating meaningful activities for your loved one
Creating community
Other relevant topics

On demand

Our Growing Library of On-Demand Webinars

Your Family Home Instead of a Group Home – and Money to Pay for It
Creating real community for you and your family
Check for more scheduled webinars

Resource library

My kid is turning 18. Now what?

Waivers, guardianship and conservatorship, special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, day programs, benefits counseling, and estate planning — the links we hand families most often.

Advocacy

Nothing About Us Without Us

The disability community is the largest minority community in the world — and the only one anyone can join at any time. We are all one diagnosis, one accident, or one incident away.

1 in 5

Virginians have a disability

2 in 5

Americans have a disability

Families we have walked with

In their words

“From the very first meeting, the staff listens, communicates, collaborates, and delivers the best outcome for your loved one… I wholeheartedly trust and recommend this wonderful group of people.”

— Jen T., mom and backup sponsor to an adult son with autism

“Lisa has made the application process and the training so easy for us to follow. And Lisa understands our needs and expectations. I would highly recommend her service.”

— A.W., parent and sponsor of an adult child with autism

“Navigating the system of support for an adult child with significant challenges can be an overwhelming and complex journey, but working with Lisa has made all the difference for our family.”

— Janice P., mom and sponsor to an adult son with autism

Let's talk

Book a Free Personalized Strategy Session

Book your free, no obligation strategy session to help you determine if this option might be right for you and your family.

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