A Look Inside HOPE’s 24-Hour Residential Care Homes
SLS Workers and Support Staff hanging out with HOPE residents as they prepare for the day’s activities.
By Lauren Quijano-Gin
HOPE partners with several Southern California Regional Centers to provide the single family homes which operate as 24-hour Residential Care for clients of the regional centers. These homes were originally designed to support people transitioning from State Developmental Centers or, in recent years, to house adults with more complex medical or behavioral needs, who in years past would have been at risk of institutionalization in a developmental center, a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or a mental health facility. Currently HOPE owns fifty-seven (57) licensed homes across Southern California. The single family homes, where every resident has their own personalized bedroom and shares common spaces with no more than two or three other residents, are homes to approximately 195 people with an I/DD.
These homes are leased to select service providers who deliver around-the-clock care. Because HOPE owns the properties, the homes will remain part of the developmental disabilities service system permanently. Residents can continue to live in their homes for as long as they choose—even if their service providers change—ensuring lifelong stability and a true sense of belonging. These 24-hour Residential Care homes are operated by a host of service providers: ranging from national companies such as Mentor/Sevita and Ambitions, to smaller family-business operators. Many providers specialize in programming focused on the specific medical, behavioral, and psycho-social needs of the particular residents who live there.
The homes are integrated into their communities, are in typical neighborhoods, and the residents and staff access local amenities and supports, including specialized day services for residents. Therefore, the homes provide not only integrated housing, but also jobs: care providers, landscapers, property managers, day programs, and a host of partners who make it all work. Though estimates vary, as many as 3 - 6 full time jobs are created/needed in the community for each person living in a licensed home. The homes, therefore, are an important part of economic development for the communities in which they are located.
This housing provides residents with increased dignity and greater choice in how they manage their daily lives. Even simple decisions—what to eat for lunch, when to go shopping, or how to spend the afternoon—can have a profound impact on one’s sense of independence. At HOPE, residents are encouraged to do things for themselves and discover what they are capable of, instead of having things done for them. This approach is a marked difference from what the institutions might otherwise be able to provide: cafeteria style meals, limited wardrobe choices, and mostly on-site activities. A typical day often goes like this -
The morning starts off quietly in one of HOPE’s residential care homes, instead of loud chatter - a benefit of it being a single-family home versus a large multi-unit complex. Marcus, a staff member, prepares breakfast in the kitchen. Marcus was drawn to the work because caring for others has always been second nature to him. Having grown up helping his grandmother and younger siblings, Marcus learned early the importance of patience, empathy, and paying close attention to the needs of others. It surely takes dedication to care for others, and many of our providers have known, and been a part of their residents’ lives, for years…they become like family.
Marcus checks in on one of the residents who prefers to start her mornings slowly. “When she stays in bed a bit longer, I know she just needs a calm start to her day,” Marcus explains. The residents in the home each communicate in their own ways—some with words, others through gestures.
One resident greets everyone with an enthusiastic clap of her hands, her own unique way of saying hello. She’s bilingual, responding to both English and Spanish, and her cheerful energy fills the room. “Sometimes she’ll clap and shout, ‘¡Hola!’ before I even get a chance to say good morning,” Marcus laughs.
Down the hall, another resident often spends time in his room, reading. He’s enthusiastic and bright—quick to recall movie trivia, celebrity birthdays, and zodiac signs. “Did you know both Johnny Depp and Marilyn Monroe are Geminis?” he asks. Though he has a chronic health condition that requires regular medical attention, he remains highly independent. “He’s the trivia champion of the house,” Marcus says. “We learn new things from him every day.”
Each member of the team knows the residents deeply—how they communicate, what comforts them, and when they need extra care. “We notice everything,” says Maria, a case worker who has been with HOPE for more than a decade. “Their routines, their moods, even the smallest changes. It’s built on a relationship of respect and trust.”
For Marcus, some of the most rewarding moments are the simplest—taking residents on community outings, trips to the park, or to see the holiday lights. “They light up with excitement,” he says. “You can tell how much those moments mean. It’s not just a job—it’s something you feel in your heart.”
HOPE is proud to be a part of a network of partners who strive for excellence, and who work tirelessly to support the unique needs of people with an I/DD in the community.