About Us

At California Autism Center (CAC), we help our clients get school-ready through in-clinic behavioral services that prioritize each child's safety and dignity. Through one-on-one, hands-on learning, our clinicians build trust with each child by providing personalized support and acceptance.

Our naturalistic teaching strategies emphasize learning through play, fostering joy and meaningful growth. We're here to cheer kids on, lift them up, and empower them to learn new things in the way that helps them shine.

CAC is a locally owned and operated ABA service provider in the heart of the Central Valley. We currently have 6 Treatment Centers in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia. We lead with positivity, perseverance, and teamwork.

The first treatment center, now known as our Central Fresno center, opened in the summer of 2014 near the Fresno State campus. Expansion to West Fresno began in 2016 and later that year we opened a third treatment center in Merced, as we realized a great need for services in that area. We have since opened additional facilities in Fresno and expanded to Visalia, and we look forward to supporting many more families in the years to come.

In 2022, CACLG earned the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) accreditation, acknowledging our organization as a behavioral service provider committed to quality care, safety, and excellent client outcomes. CACLG is recognized as a leading ABA provider that meets or exceeds high quality standards in ethical care and professionalism, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and coordination of care and staff training and support.

To learn more about BHCOE accreditation and why it matters, visit www.bhcoe.org.


Board of Directors

We believe every child deserves a bright future, and our diversely experienced staff works diligently to support and teach every child who is entrusted to us. We look forward to meeting your family in person, but in the meantime, feel free to scroll through our photos and bios below to learn more about us.

If you're interested in visiting one of our treatment centers, please complete a first contact inquiry form and we'll reach out to you to schedule an appointment.

Gary Rushing

Chairman of the BoardChief Business Development Officer
Learn more about Gary Rushing

William Forath

Co-FounderChief Executive Officer
Learn more about William Forath

Adam Rushing

 Chief Operating Officer
Learn more about Adam Rushing

Steven Baronian

Director of Marketing and Communications
Learn more about Steven Baronian

Noelle Brown

Director of Human Resources
Learn more about Noelle Brown

Carla Doshas

Director of Billing and Claims
Learn more about Carla Doshas

Nicki Cerniglia

Director of Operations
Learn more about Nicki Cerniglia

Bryan Oakley

Director of Information Technology
Learn more about Bryan Oakley

Kerstyn Wilson

Director of Training
Learn more about Kerstyn Wilson

Jillian Yelinek

Director of Clinical Services
Learn more about Jillian Yelinek

Estee Carrillo

Treatment Center Director, Northwest
Learn more about Estee Carrillo

Jackie Flores-Corona

Treatment Center Director, West Fresno
Learn more about Jackie Flores-Corona

Dominic Gonzalez-Ramos

Treatment Center Director, Visalia
Learn more about Dominic Gonzalez-Ramos

Griselda Garcia-Gamboa

Treatment Center Director, Merced
Learn more about Griselda Garcia-Gamboa

Jordan Ingersoll

Treatment Center Director, Central Fresno
Learn more about Jordan Ingersoll

Joseph Vallejos

Treatment Center Director, North Fresno
Learn more about Joseph Vallejos
Back to Top