About Us

RAFT is a private agency providing services to families of individuals diagnosed with autism. RAFT is situated in the city of Camarillo, and provides services to individuals served by Tri-Counties Regional Center, currently serving in Ventura County. In the future we will also have trainers providing services in Spanish and sign language. Our services can also be accessed through TCRC or directly by parents or guardians of children affected by autism.

RAFT emphasizes a person-centered approach where importance is given to the individual’s needs. Our objective is to give insight to parents on ways in which they can improve their child’s deficits and capitalize on their strengths. This is an evidence-based program which relies on research and other programs that have shown parent training to be beneficial to a family’s success.

RAFT understands that family support is one of the most crucial components in the healthy development of a child. We strongly believe that knowledge is an important tool that helps individuals become more accepting of a given situation. We utilize this belief in our training program and attempt to empower parents by synchronizing their knowledge about their child along with their child’s needs.

RAFT also recognizes that each child is unique in the way they perceive their surroundings. This allows us to give feedback to parents on what methods would be best suited for the specific needs of the family.  Our trainers reach out to help parents recognize what structural changes, if any, need to be implemented at home in order to help their child meet their potential.

About the Founder

Reeta Mehta graduated from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India in 1983 with a M.S. in Child Development. She has more than 25 years of experience providing services for children with developmental needs including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Epilepsy and other needs. Reeta has worked as a Service Coordinator / Social Worker for Tri-Counties Regional Center, and served as a Program Specialist at UNICEF and SOS Children’s Villages. She taught Child Development to undergraduate and graduate students at SNDT University, and was the founder-director of Savera Early Intervention Center and Special School in India. Reeta is a protagonist in starting awareness programs in developing countries, and has an in-depth knowledge about different disabilities and treatment methods.