Privacy Policy

Effective November 9, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how John Martinez, doing business as Guiding Sidekicks, a sole proprietorship ("Guiding Sidekicks," "we," "us") collects, uses and protects information when you visit guidingsidekicks.com or contact us. We serve families in Ventura County, California.

Information we collect

  • Information you give us. When you use our contact, free in-home visit, careers, partner and partner-referral forms, or call or email us, we collect what you choose to share: names, phone numbers, email addresses, home address, and details about the care your loved one needs. Job applicants may share work history and certifications.
  • Partner referral activity. When you click a partner's phone, email or website link in our "Who we partner with" section, or ask us to connect you, we record the service, the partner, the date and time, and any name and contact details you enter. We use this to follow up and make sure you were well taken care of. We do not record when you simply hover over or tap a service.
  • Basic technical information. Our website host automatically receives standard information such as your IP address, browser type and the pages you visit, for security and to keep the site running. We do not use advertising cookies or tracking pixels.
  • Payments. Payments by Zelle go through your own bank. When online card payments open, they will be processed by Stripe, which handles your card details directly; we never see or store full card numbers.

How we use it

  • To answer your questions, schedule your free in-home visit and provide care.
  • To send invoices and collect payment.
  • To review job applications and partner inquiries.
  • To follow up on partner referrals and improve our partner network.
  • To keep clients and caregivers safe and to meet legal requirements.

When we share it

  • With caregivers assigned to your loved one, only what they need to provide safe care. If your family uses our Family Portal, visit notes and schedules are stored in ShiftCare and shared only with the family members you approve.
  • With service providers who help run our business: Netlify (website hosting and forms), Stripe (online payments), ShiftCare (care scheduling, visit notes and our Family Portal) and Google (business email). They may use your information only to provide their service.
  • With a partner business only when you ask us to connect you.
  • When the law requires it, including reports caregivers must make to Adult Protective Services or 911 in an emergency.

We do not sell your personal information or share it for targeted advertising.

Health and care information

Details about health, memory, medications and daily routines are kept confidential and used only to plan and provide care.

"Do Not Track" signals

Our website does not track you across other websites, so it treats all visitors the same whether or not their browser sends a "Do Not Track" signal. We do not allow other companies to collect information about your browsing across sites through our website.

Your choices

You may ask us at any time to tell you what information we have about you, correct it, delete it (unless we must keep it, for example for billing records), or stop contacting you. Contact us at (424) 235-4301 or johnmartinez@guidingsidekicks.com. We will respond within 30 days.

Children

This website is meant for adults arranging care. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 16.

How long we keep it and how we protect it

We keep information only as long as needed for care, billing, tax and legal purposes, and use reasonable safeguards such as password-protected accounts and limited access. No website or email is ever completely secure.

Changes

If we change this policy, we will post the new version here with a new effective date.

Contact

John Martinez, doing business as Guiding Sidekicks, a sole proprietorship
1690 Camino Olmo, Newbury Park, CA 91320
(424) 235-4301 or johnmartinez@guidingsidekicks.com

Terms of Use

Effective November 9, 2026

By using guidingsidekicks.com, you agree to these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.

Information only, not medical advice

Guiding Sidekicks provides non-medical in-home care. Everything on this website is general information. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. In an emergency, call 911.

Services and pricing

Care begins only after a free in-home visit and a signed Client Service Agreement. That agreement, not this website, sets the services, rates and terms that apply to you. Rates and services shown here may change and are confirmed in writing before care starts.

Payments

Invoices are paid as described in your Client Service Agreement. Payments by Zelle go through your own bank. When online card payments open, they will be processed by Stripe, which handles your card details directly; we never see or store full card numbers.

Cancellations and refunds

You can change, pause or stop services at any time by giving one week's notice, as described in your Client Service Agreement. You pay only for care that was provided. If you are ever charged in error or pay more than you owe, we will refund the difference to your original payment method within 10 business days of confirming it. Questions about a charge? Email johnmartinez@guidingsidekicks.com or call (424) 235-4301.

Partner businesses

Businesses listed in our partner section are independent businesses. We share them because we trust them, but we are not responsible for their services, prices or results, and you deal with them directly. Some partners may pay a listing fee to appear in our network; this never changes the care we provide.

The Sidekick Fund

The Sidekick Fund is a future program we plan to organize after Guiding Sidekicks becomes an LLC. It is not a charity or a nonprofit organization, we are not accepting donations for it at this time, and any future contributions would not be tax-deductible unless we tell you otherwise in writing.

Website content

The text, photos, logos and design on this site belong to John Martinez, DBA Guiding Sidekicks or are used with permission. You may share links to the site, but please do not copy its content for commercial use without permission.

Links to other websites

Links to other websites are provided for convenience. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

Limitation of liability

This website is provided "as is." To the extent the law allows, Guiding Sidekicks is not liable for any loss arising from use of this website. Nothing here limits any right you have under your Client Service Agreement or California law.

Governing law

These terms are governed by California law.

Changes and contact

We may update these terms by posting a new version here. Questions? Contact us at (424) 235-4301 or johnmartinez@guidingsidekicks.com.