with Cathi Durham, RN

Tuesday, the 17th of April 2007

Judy: Hello Everyone. Tonight we have with us Cathi Durham with Dream House. Cathi will share information on Dream House and caring for the medically fragile child. Welcome Cathi.

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.

chatadmin: - has joined the chat -

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.

cathy: - has joined the chat -

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.

cathy: - has left the chat -

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.

lorraine: - has joined the chat -

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?

Dana W: - has joined the chat -

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.

cathy: - has joined the chat -

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.

esther: - has joined the chat -

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.

Robin: - has joined the chat -

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.