GuideWater

07/02/2026

Please note that our office will be closed on Friday July 3rd while our staff celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends. We will resume normal work hours on Monday 7/6/26.

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Holiday weekend!

06/22/2026

Navigating disability benefits, services, and long-term planning can feel overwhelming—but you don't have to do it alone.

At GuideWater, we're dedicated to helping families find clarity and confidence as they navigate the disability service system. From benefits and waiver programs to financial and future planning, our team provides personalized guidance every step of the way.

Because every family deserves a trusted guide on their journey.

https://guidewater.com/approach

Learn more about how GuideWater can support your family today.

We start with your story, not a spreadsheet. GuideWater's jargon-free approach focuses on understanding your family before building a special needs benefits and financial plan.

06/10/2026

We are so excited to share with families this major win in Virginia when it comes to long term planning for families with loved ones with disabilities!

A massive win for Virginia families! Yesterday, signed HB 37 into law, a bill introduced by . This bill permanently protects your ability to access Medicaid Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers even if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Previously, a person with DD risked being kicked off their DD Medicaid waiver if they received SSDI benefits (often through a parent’s retirement or death) because it counted heavily against their income cap.

This new law ensures Virginia will permanently disregard extra SSDI income above the standard limit when calculating waiver eligibility.

06/08/2026

Kelly Gannon, CFP®, ChSNC® is a Senior Financial Planner with James River Wealth Advisors in Midlothian, Virginia, who we partner with for their specialty in comprehensive financial planning for families caring for individuals with special needs.

Kelly understands that special needs planning requires more than traditional financial advice—it requires compassion, coordination, and long-term vision. Families navigating disabilities face complex decisions surrounding government benefits, special needs trusts, guardianship considerations, long-term care planning, and lifetime financial security. Kelly works closely with parents, caregivers, and multigenerational families to design thoughtful strategies that protect benefits while building sustainable financial support for the future.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®), Kelly brings both technical expertise and a deeply relationship-driven approach to her work. She collaborates with attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to ensure each plan is coordinated and tailored to the unique needs of the family.

Kelly believes special needs planning is ultimately about peace of mind—helping families feel confident that their loved one will be cared for, supported, and financially secure long after they are no longer able to provide that support themselves. Her goal is to serve as a trusted, long-term partner, guiding families through life’s transitions with clarity, empathy, and steady advice.

06/07/2026

This is sure to be a wonderful event !

Fathers, mothers, caregivers, and family members are warmly invited to attend this stop of the Special Fathers Network U.S. Tour!

Come meet local mentor fathers, connect with others who understand the journey, and hear from author and podcast host David Hirsch. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of “Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide for 21st Century Dads.”

We are also grateful to our special guest speaker, Jeff Katz, CPS, an award winning multimedia personality and highly sought after professional coach and inspirational speaker.

A heartfelt thank you to our community partners whose collaboration helps make this event possible:

Ainsley's Angels in Virginia
AnswersNow
Best Buddies Virginia & DC
Better2gether RVA
Beyond Boundaries
Chesterfield County Mental Health Support Services
Commonwealth Community Trust (CCT)
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)
Disability Benefits Guidance LLC
Family Lifeline
Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia
Sentara Health
Sportable - Richmond Adaptive Sports & Recreation
The Tutoring Hub: Tutoring & Advocacy, LLC
Therapeutic Adventures, Inc.
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)
Virginia Voice
Yellow Bus ABA

The Special Fathers Network is a mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs, now with more than 900 dads in 14 countries. SFN mentor fathers make themselves available to support and mentor fathers who are earlier in their special needs parenting journey.

You can register or sign up to be a community partner at https://friendshipcircleva.org/sfn

06/06/2026

We are excited to connect with families today at the Shalom Baptist Touch an Truck! Be sure to swing by and say hi and learn more about GuideWater!

06/03/2026

Meet your guide:

Hi, I'm Monica!

I grew up the proud middle sister to two incredible brothers with Down syndrome. Because of them, I didn't just learn about the disability world, I live it!

Throughout my life I observed, absorbed, and learned how the system works. That experience shaped my heart early and ultimately led me to a career in disability services.

I watched too many families struggle with a system that should be helping them. Families who'd been given conflicting advice. Families drowning in paperwork. Families who felt like nobody really understood what they were going through.

Through my personal journey and my professional work, I developed a strong understanding of benefits and services and most importantly, how the various systems fit together. I know how overwhelming it feels when you're trying to make the right decisions for someone you love. And I've also seen what happens when families get the right guidance: the relief, the confidence, the ability to finally plan for the future instead of just surviving the present.

That's why I am passionate about supporting families through GuideWater.

06/02/2026

We’re excited to share that over the past several months, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes on something important — a new name that brings greater clarity to our role and better aligns our work with James River Wealth Advisors Brand.

Every family navigating disability benefits and supports deserves more than a stack of forms and a wish for good luck. They deserve someone in their corner who understands the system, knows what's possible, and can help them get there.


Eli's Village is excited to share that we are now GuideWater! The new name reflects what this work has become, and where it's going.

We also have a new home online. A website built to be as clear and accessible as the guidance we provide. No jargon, no guesswork. Just a straightforward picture of how we help, and an easy way to get started. If you've ever wanted to point another family toward the kind of support you've experienced, now there's a link for that.

Visit us at

GuideWater helps Virginia families navigate SSI, Medicaid, waivers, and special needs trust funding. Free 30-minute consultation. You don't have to do this alone.

05/19/2026

Navigating disability resources can feel overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone. At Eli’s Village, we help families understand and access the supports their loved ones need, including guidance through the Medicaid Waiver application process, connecting with community resources, and planning for the future.

Whether you’re just getting started or feeling stuck in the process, we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Because every family deserves support, clarity, and someone in their corner.