Frequently Asked Questions

Echo Glade is a family home among the trees in Brownsville, California.

Echo Glade welcomes infants and children under six with medical needs, including children who are nonambulatory. We can accommodate mild behavioral needs only. Echo Glade is not an appropriate setting for children who need supervision to prevent wandering or elopement. Every child’s medical, mobility, and behavioral needs are reviewed individually before a stay is confirmed.

Heidi Mitchell is a registered nurse and the caregiver behind Echo Glade. She has been a nurse since 2006 and has cared for medically fragile infants and children at home since 2013.

Every stay begins with an individual review of your child’s medical needs, equipment, routines, and comfort. Together, we determine whether Echo Glade can provide the care your child needs before confirming a stay.

Echo Glade has a dedicated mini refrigerator for TPN and any IV fluids or medications that require refrigeration. Medicines stored at room temperature are kept in locked storage, and a locked sharps container is also available.

Heidi keeps the first day calm, without introducing new activities, to give your child time to settle in. She uses white noise in the room to help soften unfamiliar background sounds.

Heidi responds promptly to your child’s needs and talks with them about their family. She lets your child lead play and activities, following their pace and interests to help build trust.

Before your child’s stay, you and Heidi will agree on how and how often you would like updates. Heidi will send texts and photos, and you are welcome to check in or simply wait for her updates, whichever helps you feel comfortable taking a break.

Texting usually works best for quick updates, while calls allow for longer conversations. Heidi will update you as often as you request, as long as communication does not interrupt your child’s care.

No. The camp experience comes to your child. Stories, music, nature sounds, and gentle sensory activities can be brought to the bedside and adapted to their comfort, energy, and interests.

Changing light, trees, and seasonal views can also be enjoyed through a window or in property photographs shared at the bedside. See the Seasons of Echo Glade.

Stories, music, gentle sensory activities, and arts and crafts are shaped around your child’s comfort, interests, energy, and care needs. Taking part can mean simply enjoying the colors, textures, sounds, and company, or watching and listening.

Start with a conversation about your child and the dates you have in mind. We review care needs and confirm availability, required paperwork, and payment arrangements before scheduling. Send an inquiry through our contact form.

Prefer Messenger? You can also message Echo Glade on Facebook.

We can discuss a weekend, a weeklong stay, or several weeks, depending on your child’s needs and available dates. Each stay is reviewed and confirmed individually.

Please contact Heidi to discuss rates and payment arrangements for the stay you have in mind. If a county or regional center is involved, we also review any required authorizations before confirming a stay.

Unmarked dates are open for inquiries. A stay is confirmed only when Heidi confirms the arrangements with you. If your preferred dates are booked or pending, you are welcome to ask about our cancellation waitlist.

Yes. Let us know which Financial Management Services company your family uses so we can discuss the steps to arrange services. Independent facilitators and regional-center service coordinators are welcome to contact us.

Start with General Packing, then select the care categories your child uses. Bring enough daily supplies plus extras. You can view, print, or save your selected lists. Open Packing Lists.

General Packing includes a list of provided supplies, toiletries, towels, books, toys, and equipment. You may use ours or bring your own. We confirm equipment fit and suitability for your child before their stay.

No. Cardboard boxes and zip-top bags are welcome. We have room organizers, and you may also bring the organizers your family enjoys using.

If your supply company or pharmacy cannot send it early, arrange for the delivery to come directly to Echo Glade during your child’s stay. Coordinate with Heidi first to confirm the delivery address and timing.

Call the company again before the delivery to confirm the temporary address and delivery schedule are correct. Give Heidi the company or pharmacy name, phone number, and contact person so she can follow up if needed. Confirm when deliveries should return to your home address, too.

TPN couriers regularly deliver to Echo Glade without trouble.

Contact Heidi to discuss your child’s symptoms before the stay. A stay can often still take place when symptoms are mild. Together, you and Heidi will review your child’s symptoms and care needs to determine whether the visit can proceed safely.

Heidi keeps your child’s medical information, care plans, and a copy of their insurance card readily available. She will notify you if your child’s vital signs show concerning changes or trends.

For minor concerns, Heidi may contact your child’s regular doctors for guidance. If an in-person evaluation is needed and your child is stable and safe to transport, she may take them to an appropriate medical center. In an emergency, Heidi will call 911.

Echo Glade has an indoor battery power station and an outdoor generator that runs on propane or gasoline, with fuel kept on hand.

If a power outage is expected to last for an extended period, Heidi will notify your family and work with you to make any necessary arrangements for your child’s care.

Heidi will notify your family right away and stay in communication as plans develop. If you are unable to meet and pick up your child, she will work with you to arrange suitable temporary accommodations in a safe location, ideally between Echo Glade and your home.

Heidi will bring the medical equipment, supplies, and belongings your child needs. She will aim for a setting where your child has their own space to rest, while keeping their care and familiar routines as consistent as possible.