Frequently Asked Questions
We have created these answers to your frequently asked questions for your convenience and review:
- How do I qualify for a TACA Family Scholarship?
- How do I become a TACA Member?
- TACA membership: Do I have to pay dues or is there a subscription?
- Why do you impose a “Membership” requirement, and what will TACA membership do for me?
- What if I’m already a mentor, or I’m very knowledgeable about biomed, do I still need to get a mentor to apply for a DAN! doctor visit?
- Does Lisa Ackerman, TACA Executive Director, vote on the TACA Family Scholarship applications?
- How soon will I hear something about my application?
- How does funding happen if my family is selected?
- May I speak directly to the committee members regarding my application?
- To whom may I speak regarding questions about my application?
- Why do I have to find the vendor and provide a proposal, including the costs?
- What if the doctor I want to see isn’t a DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) doctor?
- Does TACA ever recommend treatments?
- Why are you only funding scholarships for DAN! doctors? What if I want to pursue other treatments?
- What if I need other assistance, such as an evaluation to obtain services or a special education attorney to review my IEP?
- Will TACA's Family Scholarship Program help with bills for services already performed?
- How much scholarship money can I ask for?
- Why aren’t the scholarships available for larger amounts or ongoing services?
- If I don’t qualify for a Family Scholarship, what else can TACA do for me?
- Why won’t TACA send the check directly to a family?
- What information does the Family Scholarship committee need regarding my family?
- Are there scholarships available to attend conferences?
- Can a family member or friend make a donation to TACA’s Family Scholarship Program for my family (and receive a tax donation acknowledgement)?
- Is there a residency requirement?
- Will TACA pay for a special education attorney or advocate to help me fight for services for my child?
1. How do I qualify for a TACA Family Scholarship?
Defeat Autism Now!(DAN!) Conference Scholarship and Other Scholarships?
Contact Moira Giammatteo for application availability and information or call 949-640-4401, ext 107.
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Have one or more children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
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Be a TACA member for at least 6 months. Membership is free. You may join at your local TACA meeting or online.
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Have a combined annual household income of less than $65,000. (Applicants with higher household incomes will be considered, but priority will be given to those below $65,000.)
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For a conference scholarship you must apply with a buddy – somebody from a different family – so that more than one family (and child) can be helped with this scholarship.
Defeat Autism Now!(DAN!) Doctor Scholarship:
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Be a TACA member for at least 6 months (sign up on the web, it’s FREE!)
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Attend a TACA meeting or New Parent Seminar. If a New Parent Seminar is not available nearby, we ask that you watch the DVD. (This can be loaned to families in need.)
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Have a Parent Mentor for at least 2 months – Parent Mentors are available in person, on the phone or via email.
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Have a combined annual household income of less than $65,000. (Applicants with higher household incomes will be considered, but priority will be given to those below $65,000.)
- Join the TACA-USA Yahoo! Group
Once these criteria have been met, you may then apply for a TACA Family Scholarship.
2. How do I become a TACA member?
Just sign up online.
3. TACA Membership: Do I have to pay dues or is there a subscription?
No, it’s FREE!
4. Why do you impose a “Membership” requirement and what will TACA membership do for me?
TACA requires membership so we can demonstrate to donors the total number of families we serve.
TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families and professionals who can help them, allowing them to share stores and information to help people with autism to be the best they can be.
TACA is about empowering families with the tools they need to speed up the cycle time to effective treatments and achieve best possible outcomes. What are these tools? Educational meetings, one-on-one mentoring, Journey Guide and DVDs, updated website and communications, new parent seminar and the ongoing support they need.
5. What if I’m already a mentor, or I’m very knowledgeable about biomed, do I still need to get a mentor to apply for a DAN! doctor visit?
Yes. Even if you are mentoring other families the committee has found that there is still value in having a mentor yourself. For example, if you are very good at biomed, but you are not as strong in the subject of fighting for services from the school district, a mentor with knowledge of advocacy could help you navigate the legal side of things which may free up other resources for your family.
6. Does Lisa Ackerman, TACA Executive Director, vote on the TACA Family Scholarship applications?
No. There is a separate commit that reviews and decides on the applications. Lisa Ackerman is not involved in the process of reviewing applications or making recommendations.
7. How soon will I hear something about my application?
The deadline for applications is the 15th of each month. The committee cannot consider an application that is incomplete. The TACA Family Scholarship program manager will let you know via mail or email that we have received your application. Our review timeline is within 15 business days of the application deadline. Applications received after the 15th of the month will be considered in the following month’s group of applications.
8. How does funding happen if my family is selected?
TACA will make the payment directly to the vendor on your behalf. You will receive written notification.
9. May I speak directly to the committee members regarding my application?
No, our committee members must remain anonymous. Our Family Scholarship Program committee members are TACA member as well as volunteers and we respect their time and efforts. If you have any questions regarding your application or the Family Scholarship Program process, please contact Moira Giammatteo or call 949-640-4401, ext 107.
10. To whom may I speak regarding questions about my application?
Contact Moira Giammatteo or call 949-640-4401, ext 107.
11. Why do I have to find the vendor and provide a proposal, including the costs?
Because of liability issues, as well as personal preferences, we feel it is best if you research and decide upon your child’s vendor (doctor, speech therapist, etc.) Ultimately, you know your child better than anyone else. Who better to decide which doctor, or other vendor, to choose to treat your child? Please be sure to verify that the vendor your chose is accepting new patients or clients and their fees. Also verify that they will accept a third-party check if the scholarship is funded.
12. What if the doctor I want to see isn’t a DAN! doctor?
TACA does not fund anything outside of DAN! at this time.
13. Does TACA ever recommend treatments?
No, we do not. We do recommend that you consult your DAN! trained doctor regarding treatments.
14. Why is TACA only funding DAN! doctors? What if I want to pursue other treatments?
TACA has chosen to focus on doctors who practice the Defeat Autism Now!(DAN!) protocol because it is part of the Standard Best Practices and is in the process of being recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics. See AAP To Work With Defeat Autism Now! On Treatment article.
15. What if I need other assistance, such as an evaluation to obtain services?
TACA will consider proposals for evaluations with a professional regarding your pursuit of services for your child. You are still required to find the professional in your area that will provide this service and compile a proposal for TACA to review. Please include a cost breakdown. Also, you will need to confirm that the professional you have chosen will be able to accept a third-party check.
16. Will TACA’s Family Scholarship Program help with bills for services already performed?
No.
17. Why aren’t the scholarships available for larger amounts or ongoing services?
We understand that the need in the community is great, but TACA is a small, not-for-profit organization, so we have decided to focus our efforts on our Mission Statement. Unfortunately, we do not have unlimited fund to help everyone that applies for financial help. The TACA Family Scholarship Program is only one of the many programs we offer.
18. How much scholarship money can I ask for?
The maximum amount that can be funded is $750.
19. If I don’t qualify for a Family Scholarship, what else can TACA do for me?
TACA provides free mentorship and guidance to aid families in their quest for services from the School District and Regional Center. TACA is always searching for alternate sources of funding and other programs of assistance for our families. See our information on non-TACA programs for families in need.
20. Why doesn’t TACA send the check directly to a family?
By sending a check directly to the doctor (or vendor), families are relieved of any potential tax liability that may be caused by a check made payable in the family’s name which would then be viewed by the IRS as “income.” In some cases TACA has negotiated lower rates for many commonly used products and services.
21. What information does the Family Scholarship committee need regarding my family?
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Proof of Diagnosis (Need not be the entire evaluation, just the page with the child’s name that confirms diagnosis.)
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Financial Information
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Date you became a TACA member
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Name, and date you started with, your TACA Parent Mentor. (for DAN! doctor application)
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Completed summary of current level of services and treatments and how they are being funded
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Contact information for vendor of choice
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Cost breakdown: Doctor’s visit, lab costs, etc.
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Explanation of Goals for this evaluation
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Explanation of how you plan to fund ongoing treatment, since the TACA Family Scholarship Program is a one-time only grant.
22. Are there scholarships available to attend conferences?
Yes. Subject to funding, TACA will have some scholarships available to attend selected autism conferences. This could include airfare and accommodations, subject to availability. Stay tuned to the TACA website and E-Newsletter for more information: You may email Moira Giammatteo or call 949-640-4401, ext 107.
23. Can a family member or friend make a donation to TACA’s Family Scholarship Program for my family (and receive a tax donation acknowledgement?)
Unfortunately, no. TACA has received this question every month from families looking for help and reach out to their family or friend circle. Based on legal advice, and current foundation laws, TACA cannot provide this as an option to members. Donations received can be earmarked for specific funds and projects (like the Family Scholarship Program) but we cannot save funds for specific families while offering a tax write-off to the donor.
Any individual or group that provides a donation to any of TACA’s programs or general funds will receive a tax write-off for their donation amount per the IRS guidelines.
24. Is there a residency requirement?
Yes, applicants must reside in the United States and have a US mailing address.
25. Will TACA pay for a special education attorney or advocate to help me fight for services for my child?
No, not at this time. We do, however, help you find the resources to educate yourself regarding what your child’s legal rights are and how to navigate the system in order to pursue appropriate services for your child.
After reading the overview, applications and above FAQ, if you still have questions about the TACA Family Scholarship Program, please email Moira Giammatteo or call 949-640-4401, ext 107.
