Guiding Light
5115 N GALLOWAY AVE STE 204A, Mesquite, TX 75150 · Dallas County
Program
- Type
- Child-placing agency
- Ages
- -
- Hours
- 10:30 AM-02:00 PM
- Phone
- (469) 372-5717
- Regulated since
- Aug 31, 2020
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1338315 · number 1696536- 13691
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 5 | Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (4), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (2), Other (3) |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (1) |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | Supervision & ratios (1) |
| 2023 | 7 | 3 | Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1), Food & allergies (1), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 11 | 2 | Illness & medication (1), Discipline & child guidance (1), Staff background & training (3), Records & paperwork (3), Other (3) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Sep 28, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 16, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 10, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 8, 2026 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The agency has not reported 2nd quarter EBI information.
HHSC 749.1635(b) — Annual Operation Evaluation - (b) Every three months, the CPA must (1) collect, document, and review aggregate numbers of EBI by type of intervention and (2) report the information to Child Care Regulation no later than 15 days after the end of each quarter.
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-09-14. Correction verified 2026-09-08.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Sep 3, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 27, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
1 of 2 home files did not complete a supervisory visit during the first quarter of 2026.
HHSC 749.1105(b) — Foster Home Supervisory Visits - (b) The supervisory visits must happen inside the home.
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-08-31. Correction verified 2026-09-03.
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Records & paperwork
1 of 2 child files did not have documentation to support a child was notified of their rights. There was no child's rights documentation in the child file.
HHSC 749.1307(1) — Child Rights Documentation Requirements - A child-placing agency (CPA) must document and maintain the following information in the record of the child in care. (1) A statement signed within seven days after the CPA admits a child into care that each required individual reviewed and understood the ch
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-09-03. Correction verified 2026-09-10.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operation does not have an administrator to oversee the operation.
HHSC 749.151(1) — Operational responsibilities - Designate a qualified full-time child-placing agency administrator
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-09-26.
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Supervision & ratios
RCCR approved Guiding Light's organizational chart which confirmed that Child Placement Staff and Child Placement Management staff were required to ensure child safety. On 08/12/2026 the employee who met these criterias stopped working for the operation.
HHSC 749.151(2) — Operational responsibilities - Operate according to your approved plans, policies, and procedures
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-09-26. Correction verified 2026-09-16.
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Staff background & training
An employee did not have a notarized affidavit completed.
HHSC 749.605(b)(4) — Minimum qualifications for employees-Complete notarized Licensing Affidavit for Applicants for Employment form
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-09-03. Correction verified 2026-09-03.
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Other Serious
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Aug 17, 2026 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operation has not assigned an administrator as of August 17, 2026.
HHSC 749.151(1) — Operational responsibilities - Designate a qualified full-time child-placing agency administrator
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-08-20.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Jul 16, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 29, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 25, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Illness & medication
One child file was reviewed to be missing the reason for medications being provided.
HHSC 749.1541(c)(3) — Medication Record-Must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-02. Correction verified 2026-07-03.
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Other Serious
One of two home screenings reviewed did not obtain the service call information.
HHSC 749.2447(7)(B)(i) — Foster Home Screening- Obtain service call information from law enforcement for past two years
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-06-26. Correction verified 2026-07-03.
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Other
This document was not provided.
HHSC 749.596(a) — Unauthorized Absence Evaluation - Must conduct an eval every 6 mths for unauthorized absences that have occurred during that time period
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-09. Correction verified 2026-07-10.
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Illness & medication
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Jun 17, 2026 Assessment · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 15, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 7, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 6, 2026 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
In the review, of financial records, the agency did not have the required amount of reserve funds for FY24. The FY24 financial record audit was not conducted annually for FY24, the FY24 audit was conducted by CPA on 1/6/26.
HHSC 749.161(b)(2)(A) — Fiscal requirements - Make available for Licensing annual review of your financial records conducted by independent CPA
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2026-04-20. Correction verified 2026-04-20.
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Records & paperwork
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Mar 19, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 25, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 3, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 20, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 16, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 29, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 22, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 16, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
In the review, of financial records, the agency did not have the required amount of reserve funds for FY24. The FY24 financial record audit was not conducted annually for FY24, the FY24 audit was conducted by CPA on 1/6/26.
HHSC 749.161(b)(2)(A) — Fiscal requirements - Make available for Licensing annual review of your financial records conducted by independent CPA
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2026-02-26. Correction verified 2026-04-06.
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Records & paperwork
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Oct 16, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 17, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
The background check has not been validated in over 90 days.
HHSC 745.651(2)(A) — Background Check Validation - Every 3 months each operation, other than a licensed, registered, or listed home, must validate current list
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-07-18. Correction verified 2025-07-18.
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Staff background & training
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Mar 19, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 6, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 29, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During HHSC review, it was determined that the caregiver left child in the care of 14-year-old and 12-year-old for 30 minutes.
HHSC 749.2593(a)(2) — Supervision-The caregiver is responsible for being aware of and accountable for each child's on-going activity
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-12-11. Correction verified 2024-12-11.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Jul 25, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 9, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 2, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 1, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 3, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 16, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 8, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 5, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 11, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 8, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 4, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 29, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 20, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
The child's preliminary service plan did not address the level of supervision required.
HHSC 749.1301(a) — Preliminary Service Planning-Complete a preliminary service plan that addresses child's immediate needs within 72 hours of admission
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-01-30. Correction verified 2024-01-30.
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Supervision & ratios
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Dec 11, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 3, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 2, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 17, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 12, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 3, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 10, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
The service plans read had generic statements for goals, with same documentation on all the service plans in the children's files. The service plans read had generic statements for goals, with same documentation on all the service plans in the children's files.
HHSC 749.1309(b)(1)(D)(viii) — Initial Service Plan-include any actions caregivers must take or conditions to be aware of to meet child's needs
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-08-17. Correction verified 2023-10-05.
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Staff background & training
Caregiver trainings, preliminary service plan and service plans were not in their respective files.
HHSC 749.535(a)(1) — Active records-All documentation in the record no later than 30 days after the occurrence or event
HHSC risk weight: Low. Corrected 2023-08-17. Correction verified 2023-10-05.
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Records & paperwork
Staff did not provide requested documentation in a timely manner.
HHSC 749.537(a) — Active records-Available for immediate review and reproduction by Licensing
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-08-17. Correction verified 2023-10-05.
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Food & allergies Serious
A child file did not have allergies/chronic health conditions on the front cover or clearly visible location.
HHSC 749.577(2) — Active child record-Includes known allergies and chronic conditions or "no known allergies" on exterior of record or in a clearly visible location
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-17. Correction verified 2023-10-05.
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Staff background & training Serious
Foster home caregiver does not have a current psychotropic medication training.
HHSC 749.930(c)(4) — Annual Training- Caregiver's who administer psychotropic medication must complete psychotropic medication training annually.
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-17. Correction verified 2023-10-05.
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Other
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Jul 8, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 7, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 5, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 22, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 9, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
The home smelled of cigarette smoke during the walk through.
HHSC 749.2931(c) — Tobacco Products-No one may smoke tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or vaporizers in motor vehicles when transporting children in care
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-05-25. Correction verified 2024-08-22.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Mar 9, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 22, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 9, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
A caregiver did not take into account the child's mental health diagnosis when evaluating a child's progress or condition. A caregiver uses language about children in care's behavior and actions that hasn't been evaluated or conferenced with mental health professionals or the parent/conservator or the child.
HHSC 749.607(1) — Employee and caregiver responsibilities-Competency, prudent judgment, self-control in presence of children and when performing assigned tasks
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-02-23. Correction verified 2023-02-23.
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Other Serious
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Nov 4, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 25, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
The unauthorized absence log was missing 2 incidents of unauthorized absences by a child. The unauthorized absence log was also missing the date of admission for 9 of 14 entries in the log.
HHSC 749.591(a)(1) — Unauthorized Absence ? Annual summary log must include name, age, gender, date of admission
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-09-08. Correction verified 2022-09-08.
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Records & paperwork Serious
11 out of 11 unauthorized absence serious incident reports reviewed did not contain any mention of a debriefing with the child after they returned to care.
HHSC 749.592(a) — Unauthorized Absence-After a child returns from unauthorized absence, foster parent must conduct debriefing w/child no later than 24 hrs after return
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-09-08. Correction verified 2022-09-08.
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Other
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Aug 9, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 27, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 13, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 7, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 6, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 17, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
A foster home screening reviewed did not document the following standards. 749.2447 (18) Extended family for the foster parents was not addressed. 749.2447 (23) previous agency information, only 1 out of 4 prior agencies were requested.
HHSC 749.2447(1) — Foster Home Screening-Agency documents ages of all household members; agency has documentation verifying ages of prospective foster parents
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Illness & medication
Two serious incident reports were not reported in the required timeframe to Licensing.
HHSC 749.503(a)(10)(A) — Serious Incident-Report to Licensing no later than 24 hours after awareness that a child contracts reportable communicable disease
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Records & paperwork
3 serious incident reports were reviewed and were missing the following items: 749.511 (1) address and phone number of foster parents missing on one report. 749.511 (3) gender, age and date of placement of the child, three missing part of this standard. 749.511 (7) circumstances surrounding incident were missing on two reports. 749.511 (10) the resolution of the incident, missing on one report.
HHSC 749.511(1) — Serious Incident Documentation-Includes name of the foster or adoptive home, physical address, and telephone number
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Records & paperwork
There were items that were missing from the staff and children's files that were provided during the inspection.
HHSC 749.535(a)(1) — Active records-All documentation in the record no later than 30 days after the occurrence or event
HHSC risk weight: Low. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Discipline & child guidance
An employee's file was reviewed and did not have the date of employment. In addition, the following standards were also missing. 749.553 (3) Job description 749.553 (6) A notarized licensing Affidavit for Employment 749.553(7) A statement signed by employee stating they received a copy of the operational policies and they understand. 749.553(8) Statement from employee stating they understand the requirements for reporting abuse.
HHSC 749.553(1) — Personnel records-Include date of employment
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Staff background & training
One employee file reviewed did not have verification of the employee's orientation.
HHSC 749.831(a) — Orientation-Each caregiver or employee must have orientation prior to beginning job duties or having contact with children in care
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Staff background & training
There were several certificates that did not list the qualifications of the trainers.
HHSC 749.949(b)(4) — Annual Training Documentation-Includes the trainer's name and qualifications, or the source of the training for self-instructional training
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2022-03-24. Correction verified 2022-03-24.
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Other
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Feb 19, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
Agency had a training certificate that was not valid. After a review of the training certificate it was found to have been created by the caregiver and not genuine.
HHSC 749.151(3) — Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-04-26. Correction verified 2022-04-26.
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Staff background & training
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Nov 19, 2021 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
Get the full file
HHSC publishes inspections, investigations and assessments from October 2017 onward, with each cited deficiency and its risk weight. Investigation narratives, complaint files and older history require a public information request. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) gives anyone the right to ask. You don't have to say why.
Email the request Printable letter (fax or mail)
- Send to
- HHSC Open Records Coordinator, MC-1070 · OpenRecordsRequest@hhs.texas.gov · fax 512-424-6586 · 4601 W. Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78751-3146 · agency instructions
Show the letter text
If something is happening now, report a concern to HHSC Child Care Regulation. For suspected abuse, contact your county child protective services or law enforcement.
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, via Child Care Regulation datasets on data.texas.gov. Last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is HHSC's own wording. The categories are ours, added to help you scan. About this data.