Part of our key focus is building the autism community and helping families affected by autism. We have found that many families new to the autism diagnosis of a loved one, offering a parent mentor can help ease the frustration, navigate the confusing "system" and help jump start the family with ACTION for their child affected by autism.
First some important answers to key Frequently Asked Questions for your review:
1) What is a parent mentor?
Answer: A parent mentor is a parent with one or more years of experience in the autism journey. Mentors provide general advice and assistance to new families in the autism journey.
2) What does a parent mentor provide?
Answer: Parent mentors provide some basic support for newly diagnosed families. Read parent mentor guidelines.
3) Does a parent mentor get paid to help?
Answer: NO. These parent mentors are volunteers and parents just like you. They are not paid for their services and genuinely want to help by volunteering their time. They know how it feels to have a child just diagnosed with autism, the frustration of learning the "system" and the desire to help their child be the best they can be. Because of this experience, they want to share what they know with other families to help them get a jump start on the process.
Note: With having a special needs child (in some cases more) we know how busy these families are and we appreciate what they do!
4) How does a parent mentor get trained?
Most parent mentors are trained by the "road of hard knocks" by experiencing autism with their child and what lessons they have learned over time. Currently TACA provides annual parent mentor training meetings to help universally train mentors in common ways of helping families. This training is only a two-hour course - there is no degree in "parent mentoring."
5) How do I sign up to RECEIVE a parent mentor?
To receive a parent mentor - new families are required to:
A) READ the parent mentor guidelines to set expectations. Read the guidelines .
B) REVIEW, SIGN AND SEND the parent mentor agreement. Read parent mentor agreement.
All mentor agreements must be sent to:
TACA
3070 Bristol Street, Suite 340
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Note: Sorry, we cannot assign a parent mentor until the signed mentor agreement is received.
6) How do I sign up to BECOME a parent mentor?
Because of the overwhelming response to the TACA parent mentor program, more parent mentors are needed!! Please go to the volunteer mentor application. Thank you for considering become a parent mentor to a newly diagnosed family in need!
7) How many TACA parent mentors exist?
Currently there are 100 parent mentors across the nation. We try to offer a parent mentor that lives in your city or school district. Sometimes this is not possible. We will try our best to offer a mentor as close to your home as possible.
8) WHERE do these parent mentors live and help new families?
Most TACA mentors reside in California. The mentor program is now national. We now have mentors in several other states. TACA is adding new mentors to the program. We are so excited to see this program grow.
9) Once I fill out my mentor agreement how long will it take to get my parent mentor assigned to me?
Typically this process takes less than two weeks. Once your signed mentor agreement is received and a parent mentor is identified we will notify you via email only. Sometimes there are delays in this process and we will do our best to assign a mentor as soon as possible and as these volunteer mentors are available.
10) How do I communicate with my parent mentor?
Parent mentor introductions are done first via email. It is up to the parties if they wish to communicate beyond email via phone or in person. We always suggest that families first make the introduction via email.
11) What can I do to hit the ground running once I get my new parent mentor?
That is easy! Make your question list! Just got down your questions and concerns as it relates to your child. See a sample check list.
12) Anything else?
Be sure to attend regularly scheduled TACA meetings in your area! There is always new information to learn and share. These meetings are a great place for you to exchange information with many TACA friends and families! Please join us.
Have more questions? Contact us
How TACA Helps Families
› Adopt a Family Recap
› Family Scholarship Program
› AutismCares Family Support Awards
› Parent-to-Parent Mentoring
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Year-round assistance to families in great need.
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