Tucson Alliance For Autism

About TAFA

The Tucson Alliance for Autism (TAFA) is an umbrella organization comprised of three not-for-profit charitable organizations and the University of Arizona Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. The organization is designed to welcome other non-profits into the group as growth occurs. The current groups are: Autism Society of America – Pima County Chapter (ASA-PCC), Mid-America Association for Autistic Training and Research (MAATR), and Tucson Autism Community Center (TACC).

Our Mission

Our goal is to develop and sustain an Autism Center in Tucson where individuals with autism and their families will have access to diagnostic and therapeutic services, as well as have the opportunity to participate in educational and support activities. We are also committed to supporting research related to clinical treatments in individuals with autism. This unique partnership between the community and the university will merge science, service and support into one unified center. In addition, we are committed to building and maintaining a therapeutic ranch in the nearby Santa Rita Mountains for individuals with autism and their families. Our vision is to build TAFA into a self-sustainable organization within the next five years.

Organization

Our team currently consists of a Board of Directors which represents the non-profit groups within the Alliance. Once established, the Board will hire a full-time executive director and office manager. Ultimately the work will be divided among committees and the executive director will add additional staff to the Alliance management team.

We opened an interim Autism Center in June of 2005.

Board of Directors

Executive Director:

Kim Crooks

Officers

Chair, Kelly McLear, MAATR Representative
Secretary, Ruth Aguilar-Hansen, ASA-PCC Representative
Treasurer, Kirsten Foshay, TACC Representative

Board Members

Angela Canale, Public Relations, TACC Representative
Harry McLear, MAATR Representative
Hope Crabtree, Community Representative
Peter Earhart, ASA-PCC Representative
Maryann Beal, M.Ed., Community Representative
Betty McDonald, University of Arizona Representative

If you know someone who would be a positive addition to our Board of Directors, or are interested in joining the Board, please contact Dr. Pam Crooke at (520)319-5857.

Funding

The amount required for the current Center at 1002 N. Country Club Road is $150,000 over the next year. All non-profits have committed monies to the establishment of the interim center. New groups may contribute to the current center, the final, larger autism center or the therapeutic ranch. We are committed to raising five million dollars to build and sustain the final autism center in the next five years.

Funding Strategies

To obtain external funds via a strategic and focused grants program.
To develop a list of supporters who will potentially donate their time/money to the group, and to launch an appeal for funds.
To develop a clinical research program, fully funded, and dedicated to autism.
To raise public awareness and the public profile of our group.

Indicators of Success

$100,000 raised through private donations and fundraising (June 2005 – June 2006).
Foundation support of 1 million during our first year of operation (June 2006 – June 2007).
Four new Alliance members.
Research funding of $150,000 by December 2007.
Media coverage of the Autism Center, the Alliance, and future endeavors by TAFA.

Tucson Alliance For Autism
1002 N. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
Phone: 520-319-5857
Fax: 520-319-5979
Email: autismalliance@listserv.arizona.edu

Webmaster: tracey@uainfo.arizona.edu Copyright © 2005 Tucson Alliance for Autism