Cathi Durham: Thank you for this opportunity. I am happy to be here.

  Judy: Let's begin by telling us about Dream House.

  Cathi Durham: Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc is a non-profit organization

  Cathi Durham: We are about 5 years old.

  Cathi Durham: We provide resources and support to families who have medically fragile children.

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  Judy: What kind of support do you provide?

  Cathi Durham: Our goal is to support families with training, as well as home modification and acquisition of supplies and equipment that insurance will not cover.

  Cathi Durham: Our training program is the only one of its kind in Georgia

  Cathi Durham: has been specifically created to address the learning needs families and caregivers need to effectively and safely care for these special children.

  Kim: Do you help families all over the state ?

  Cathi Durham: Yes, we do as we can. Currently we have provided assistance to over 25 counties in Georgia.

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  Kim: Do you have any in south Georgia?

  Cathi Durham: Depending on the need, we can help those in south Georgia.

  Cathi Durham: We have assisted families in Dade county as well as Liberty.

  Cathi Durham: Where in south Georgia?

  Kim: Below Macon, Albany

  Kim: Dougherty Co.

  Cathi Durham: I know there is a need in that area.

  chatadmin: Cathi,is there specific criteria that a family must meet to get services ?

  Cathi Durham: We do have criteria. Let me explain:

  Cathi Durham: A family with a medically fragile child, regardless if he/she is foster, adoptive or biological; from age birth to 19 years. These are the 2 main criteria.

  Cathi Durham: If I may, let me give the definition of medically fragile.

  Cathi Durham: Any child who, because of an accident, illness, congenital disorder, abuse or neglect has been left in a stable condition - continued

  Cathi Durham: This child is dependent on life sustaining medication, treatments, equipment and the need for assistance with every day activities (such as dressing, eating, bathing...).

  Judy: How does a family go about getting services from Dream House?

  Cathi Durham: 10 years ago these children did not survive, but with medical technology advancing as it is, these children do survive and have very special needs.

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  Cathi Durham: A family can call or email our office. There is also a web site where requests can be made.

  Cathi Durham: I would be the initial contact, so please feel free to ask for me.

  Judy: I have a family with a long term foster child that really needs a wheelchair lift for their van. Is this the type of thing that you can assist with?

  Cathi Durham: That is a huge need for many families. We would certainly be glad to talk with the family.

  Cathi Durham: Dream House offers support and resources in two ways. Either directly from us, or through partnerships with other organizations who assist medically fragile children.

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  Cathi Durham: We have several organizations that we work with regularly.

  Kim: Do you help provide respite for these children?

  Cathi Durham: We currently do not have a facility to provide respite. I know how badly this is needed.

  Cathi Durham: We are developing a respite program and hope to have a facility next year.

  Cathi Durham: In the meantime, we work with others who do provide respite and assist the family that way.

  Kim: I have a family that needed more formula that was allowed them by medicaid and it was 181.00 a box and that was a weeks worth , could you help a family find funding for the extra formula?

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  Cathi Durham: Certainly that is a possibility.

  Cathi Durham: I would need more information to say with certainty.

  Kim: I will have her call you. Thanks

  Cathi Durham: Thank you! Please pass on the word.

  Judy: Do you also help families secure funding for handicapped bathroom renovations.

  Cathi Durham: Yes we do!

  Cathi Durham: We have assisted several families in the last year with this very need.

  Cathi Durham: Another home modification that is frequently needed is a wheelchair ramp.

  Kim: I also had a family in need of adult diapers for the children who moved here from out of state and Medicaid paid for them before she moved to georgia is this also a need you could help with?

  Cathi Durham: A couple of times a year, a local church has a diaper drive for Dream House families.

  Cathi Durham: Depending on our inventory (so to speak) and the area in which she lives, we may be able to help her.

  chatadmin: Cathi, there are so many adjustments that family will goes through . What does DreamHouse do to help the siblings understand the needs of the child and their role in his/her care?

  Cathi Durham: Our Learning for Life education and training program has elements that address this.

  Cathi Durham: Our goal is for anyone involved in the life of a medically fragile child has the knowledge and coping skills, as well as continued support to handle the challenges.

  Judy: Do you provide trainings throughout the state or just in the Metro area?

  Cathi Durham: We are able to provide the training just about anywhere in Georgia.

  Cathi Durham: Our Family for Keeps (TM) Program is the initial training. It has components of "keeping the family balanced" and coping mechanisms, recognizing red flags and available resources.

  Kim: Do you go into each individual home or do you set up a training and invite many?

  Cathi Durham: Family for Keeps also has a hands-on skills lab where participants can practice the skills they need to provide care.

  Cathi Durham: We schedule training at a site near you and require the class to have 10-20 participants.

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  Cathi Durham: The Family for Keeps Basic course is 3 classes, a total of 18 hours.

  lorraine: Is there a fee for the training?

  Cathi Durham: Participants are required to pay a $25.00 registration fee. Often foster agencies will pay the remaining balance. There are also scholarships available.

  Cathi Durham: Once one has completed the basic course, an Advanced Family for Keeps (TM) is available.

  Cathi Durham: In it we cover in more depth more common medical conditions these children have, along with Advanced Skills Labs.

  Cathi Durham: The Advanced Skills include tube feeding, ostomy care, trach care, injectable medication....

  Judy: Is this program also available for extended family members and family friends that would like to provide assistance?

  Cathi Durham: Absolutely! We encourage it.

  Cathi Durham: The more people trained to assist the family, the better for the family and the child.

  Cathi Durham: Our course has been approved for continuing education credit through Georgia Perimeter College.

  Judy: Do you work with trying to increase public funding for the types of assistance that we have been discussing tonight?

  Cathi Durham: Dream House is a private organization. We depend on funding from foundation grants and donations.

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  Cathi Durham: We do not and will not recieve government funding.

  Cathi Durham: Does that answer your question?

  Judy: Yes - thank you.

  Cathi Durham: Thank you. There is so much I'd like to share.

  Judy: Do you have a newsletter that families can subscribe to so they may stay updated on the services available.

  Cathi Durham: Yes. Our newsletter is released quarterly. We also keep our web site current with available programs.

  Cathi Durham: Anyone interested in a newsletter may email their request to info@dreamhouseforkids.org

  Kim: Could you give us your website and phone numbers?

  Cathi Durham: Our web address is: www.dreamhouseforkids.org and our office number is 770-717-7410.

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  Judy: We only have a few minutes left. Does anyone have any final questions for Cathi?

  cathy: Is the newsletter available on line?

  Cathi Durham: I believe it is.

  Cathi Durham: If not, again request one from the info@dreamhouseforkids.org

  Cathi Durham: We can email it to you.

  Judy: Cathi, it is obvious that Dream House provides a much needed service to the families of special needs children. Do you have any final information that you would like to share?

  cathy: thank you!

  Cathi Durham: Dream House strives to help families and care givers of medically fragile children in any way possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us, with just a question or a request.

  lorraine: Thank you, Great Resource 

  Cathi Durham: I am inspired daily by the families who have stepped up to such a calling.

  Dana W: Thank you for the wonderful information

  Kim: Miss Esther Miss Robin Do you have any questions?

  Dana W: - has left the chat -

  Cathi Durham: Thank you all!

  Judy: I am sure that you will receive a number of calls as result of tonights chat. Thank you for all of the great information.