How To Start A Group Home
Experience You Can Trust. Passion You Can Feel.
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Building Hope, Changing Lives
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Jonathan and Tawana McGriff understand what it truly takes to build and sustain a successful group home — because we’ve lived it.
Since 2008, we’ve served the group home community in nearly every role imaginable — from hands-on direct care support to 24-hour live-in house parents, providing care for 6 to 8 youth at a time. In that role, we created a safe, loving, family-style environment where young people could heal, grow, and be given a second chance.
From there, we expanded into full ownership of the LaShai House Day Camp, serving youth who are often difficult to place — open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM — and later became group homeowners ourselves, operating a program that houses 10 girls, each with individualized goals and plans for success.
Today, as aged-out aftercare providers and property owners of a five-acre campus featuring a seven-bedroom home (with tiny homes coming soon), our mission has only grown stronger.
We know this isn’t just a business — it’s a calling.
It takes heart, patience, and purpose to compassionately serve others and to put their needs before your own.
If you’re ready to start your own group home journey, we can help you every step of the way. From structure to strategy, from paperwork to purpose, we’ll guide you through the process with real insight, real tools, and real experience.
Running a group home is hard work — but it’s also some of the most rewarding work you’ll ever do.
Let’s build something that changes lives — together.
Overview
LaShai House, a leading provider of supportive housing and youth development services, is committed to empowering individuals and organizations who wish to open and operate licensed youth homes. Our consultation services are designed to provide step-by-step guidance, from initial concept to full operational readiness, ensuring compliance, quality care, and sustainable impact.
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We offer three tiers of Information & Consultation Services, plus an advanced Level Three+ package that provides comprehensive operational materials and mentorship through the licensing process.
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LaShai House Youth Home Development Consultation Proposal
LEVEL ONE — Introductory Consultation (60 Minutes)
Purpose
This entry-level consultation is designed for individuals or organizations exploring the idea of starting a youth home. It provides foundational understanding and direction.
Includes
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30-minute one-on-one virtual consultation with LaShai House leadership team.
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Overview of requirements for opening a youth group home.
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Guidance on state licensing expectations and agency relationships.
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Initial discussion on property needs, staffing structure, and youth placement processes.
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Basic checklist of first steps to take.
Deliverables
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PDF “Youth Home Starter Overview Guide”
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State contact list for licensing/regulations (general reference)
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7-day email follow-up for short Q&A
Investment
$199
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LEVEL TWO — Extended Q&A and Development Session (4 Hours)
Purpose
This level provides a deeper, interactive experience for those who are serious about launching their youth home and need personalized direction and clarity.
Includes
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Four-hour virtual or in-person (optional) consultation.
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Comprehensive discussion covering:
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Mission & vision building
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Business structure setup (LLC/nonprofit considerations)
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Facility preparation and zoning
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Staffing qualifications and training requirements
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Financial planning and budgeting
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Partnership development with agencies (DCF or equivalent)
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Open Q&A session tailored to the client’s needs.
Deliverables
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Sample 30-day pre-licensing timeline
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Budget and staffing templates
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Youth home readiness self-assessment
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Email support for 14 days after session
Investment
$899
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LEVEL THREE — Full-Day Intensive with Documentation Samples (8 Hours)
Purpose
This full-day experience is for individuals ready to actively prepare their application, documentation, and operational framework.
Includes
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8-hour in-person or virtual training and strategy session.
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Review of state-specific application requirements and licensing documentation.
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Examples of critical paperwork, including:
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Sample intake/admission forms
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Staff job descriptions
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Youth daily schedule templates
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Incident report and medication log forms
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Guidance on creating your program description, emergency plan, and safety protocol.
Deliverables
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Digital folder with key document examples and templates
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Personalized step-by-step startup checklist
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One 60-minute follow-up consultation (within 30 days)
Investment
$2,500
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LEVEL THREE+ — Comprehensive Startup Toolkit & Policy Package
Purpose
This premium tier is a turnkey solution for those ready to fully develop their youth home with professional guidance and ready-to-customize operational materials.
Includes
Everything in Level Three, plus:
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Full Policies & Procedures Manual tailored to youth residential programs.
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Full Operations Handbook (staff and youth editions).
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Detailed Admission, Discipline, and Discharge policies.
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Emergency preparedness and safety plan templates.
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Sample program budget and expenditure tracking forms.
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Customizable staff training logs and onboarding checklists.
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Drafts of required forms, templates, and documentation for licensing submission.
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Ongoing mentorship support for 60 days post-training.
Deliverables
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Digital folder with all operational forms and editable templates.
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60-day support for document review, updates, and state readiness feedback.
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Certificate of Completion: Youth Home Development Training through LaShai House.
Investment
$4,999
Why Choose LaShai House?
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LaShai House has over a decade of proven experience operating a successful, state-licensed youth residential program serving at-risk youth. Our approach is rooted in compassion, compliance, and real-world experience. We provide not just theory—but the tools, templates, and tested systems that work in practice.