Programs & Services
Beginning in 2000, TACA began providing support services to Californians. In 2007, TACA expanded its services throughout the United States. 95% of what TACA offers to families affected by autism is free.
TACA provides support and education for families affected by autism through the following efforts:
Local Chapters – Monthly Meetings & Coffee Talks
TACA has local Chapters in several states around the United States. These Chapters provide outreach to families affected by autism via monthly educational meetings and Coffee Talks. Monthly Chapter Meetings feature expert speakers on a variety of autism related topics while our informal Coffee Talks bring together experienced and new parents alike to learn and discuss new information and autism best practices as well as share stories about their children’s hurdles and triumphs. Both are great opportunities for parents to socialize with similar families and even make social dates for both adults and children!
TACA Chapter Libraries
Each Chapter also maintains a TACA Chapter Library with the latest autism books, CDs, and DVDs that can be borrowed for free.
Coffee Talks
TACA offers Coffee Talks for parents in English and in Spanish. Come and receive some extra support or to chat all topics related to autism and meet other TACA families at these informal, monthly get-togethers.
Corporate Coffee Talks are held once a month at the TACA Foundation Office; local businesses and companies are invited to lean more about the programs TACA offers for the autism community that can benefit also their customers and employees.
Parent Support
Families affected by autism can also receive instant support and advice on their autism journey by talking with TACA parent mentors through our website’s Live Chat feature. TACA’s Live Chat offers families Real Help Now!
Families affected by autism can be matched with a personal TACA Parent Mentor who will offer one-on-one support and general advice about various autism-related subjects such as medical insurance, behavioral issues, navigating school district issues, biomedical treatments, common dietary intervention, and more.
The TACA Mentor program is not merely a listing of well-meaning parents but a fully developed, managed program offering experienced, trained, supported, qualified Mentors to guide new parents on the Autism Journey. Our program is unique in the autism community and supports our mission: For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments.
Screening – All Mentors are screened and trained before acceptance into the Mentor program. TACA Mentors must meet criteria in 14 categories to be accepted into the program.
Experience – TACA Mentors are volunteer parents who have been doing biomedical interventions for a minimum of two years and have experience in all other aspects of the autism journey that our Mentees ask for. The TACA Mentor program began in 2003 and has served over 900 families in 6 languages.
Training – All TACA Mentors must go through a mandatory training before being matched with a new family. TACA also offers monthly trainings that cover new therapies, treatments or other relevant topics to help keep TACA Mentors up to date and informed on subjects that they may not have dealt with in regards to their own child. TACA also offers opportunities for our Mentors to work at local and national conferences and events.
Autism Education Events
TACA offers parents many educational opportunities such as our Autism Journey Seminars, Special Education Law Days, Doctors’ Dinners, and REAL HELP NOW Conferences, which focus on autism related topics like advocacy, medical issues, and feature special expert guest speakers from around the United States. These parent education events are featured on our website in addition to our monthly Chapter Meetings and Coffee Talks.
Autism Journey Guides & Blueprints
Our Autism Journey Guides provide parents a comprehensive overview of best practices following the autism diagnosis and throughout the autism journey. Guides are available for free for new families at any TACA Chapter meeting nationwide. They can also be purchased for a nominal fee from Shop TACA and shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Included in the Autism Journey Guide is our Autism Journey Blueprints which provide parents an outline of the autism journey information that is covered much more in-depth in our Autism Journey Guides. The outline format of the Blueprints offer parents an easier way to read and learn about the autism journey.
Website, E-Newsletters, Printed Newsletter & Autism Events Listing
The TACA website provides in-depth, comprehensive information for parents regarding the autism journey, and information about upcoming TACA events and other local autism community events. It can be found at: www.tacanow.org. Subscribe to our free e-newsletters to find out the latest autism news, events, and other local autism community events. Also, each Spring and Fall, TACA prints our biannual newsletter including spotlights on TACA families and their children’s triumphs and struggles, recipes, TACA news and upcoming events, and more.
Family Scholarship Program
TACA understands how difficult it is to stretch the family budget to include all the treatments necessary for your child. The Family Scholarship Program was developed to provide limited assistance to qualified families for appointments with Autism Research Institute (ARI) doctors, and lab work not covered by insurance. Depending on funding, there may be scholarships for independent evaluations, and registration for educational conferences. Please check for availability. Due to our limited funding, this application process is competitive and not all qualified applicants will receive funding. Applications are reviewed monthly by an anonymous committee. Scholarship funds are provided directly to cover approved expenses and are not given directly to families.
AutismCares
TACA is a proud partner of AutismCares, a consortium of leading autism organizations that have come together to support individuals with autism and their families during natural disasters and other catastrophic life events. Applications for families in need are reviewed monthly.
Spanish Outreach & Services
TACA offers Spanish outreach to the autism community including Spanish Coffee Talks, parent support, and printed and online materials. Offered on a limited basis only.
Legal Advocacy
TACA offers Legal Education Seminars for families and general advocacy support. Offered on a limited basis only.
