Welcome

Believe it or not, our first birthday is approaching. This time last year, we were preparing to launch the TACA Maryland/DC chapter. We were especially pleased with our decision to apply for a chapter when we realized participation in the annual TACA boot camp -- held in warm, sunny southern California in January -- was mandatory. Jokes aside, we were drawn to TACA's focus on families helping families and impressed that TACA offers 95% of its programs for free.

Like most startups, we've had leaps forward and more challenging steps as we've worked to establish TACA in our community. Our Yahoo group has grown to more than 100 members, and we're grateful for those members' willingness to contribute their ideas and knowledge. The need and desire for TACA is clearly out there. Our biggest challenge this year has been finding free space for our meetings, available at times our members can be there. Initially we thought the best way to reach as many people as possible was to alternate months between Montgomery and Anne Arundel Counties. Meeting space remained challenging, and attendance fluctuated. At the end of last year, thanks to Dr. Compart and HeartLight Healing Arts, we found a solution. They have generously offered to host us every month at their office in Columbia, beginning this Sunday, January 17. We're excited to christen our new meeting space with a talk on the allergy-autism connection by Dr. Layton, and we're looking forward to seeing many of you there. After a month off in December, we're itching to give away some Journey Guides too!

We also have a few New Year's resolutions to grow our chapter. Watch this space and the Yahoo group for details:

• Take advantage of the digital age. With this new blog, we're partway there already. We will be inviting some of our active members to contribute content. We're also working on ways to make more of our meeting content available online.
• Plan some family activities. We're hoping to start by planning something fun for autism awareness month in April. Dads' nights out will continue in Montgomery County.
• Keep getting the word out. We hope to have a TACA presence at the DAN conference in Baltimore this April, and possibly one of the Autism Speaks walks in the fall. Other chapters have done this; we're waiting for the budget gurus to approve our requests.
  
• Keep reaching out to new families. We're always on the lookout for new mentors and we're hoping to host a TACA Autism Journey Seminar later this year.

So, welcome 2010! We're looking forward to a great year.

-- Alison Hamilton