CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dr. Amanda Carter
Dr. Amanda Carter attended Shaw University located in Raleigh, North Carolina for undergraduate studies and successfully completed the required course work in three years with honors with a major in Psychology. Dr. Carter obtained her Master’s Degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Subsequently, she enrolled into a Doctoral program at Nova Southeastern University located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and graduated in June 2014. Her dissertation research was conducted in East Haddam, Connecticut which addressed Parental Perceptions for Adolescents diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Carter was also awarded with an Honorary Ph.D. from Global Oved Dei Seminary University in 2016 due to her continued commitment to serve our most vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Carter’s area of expertise includes Autism Spectrum Disorder and mental health. In October 2014, she founded Care and Recreational Activities for Autistic People (CARAFAP, LLC). CARAFAP’s mission is to provide recreational, respite, special events, behavioral, and consulting services for individuals diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Its goal is to create a supportive environment where individuals with disabilities are free to be themselves without being pigeonholed by societal norms and expectations. Additionally, CARAFAP incorporates music, yoga, dance therapy, and animals such as horses and therapy dogs to create supportive environments to enhance an individual’s motivational interest. CARAFAP is a for-profit entity and its sister company, CARAFAP Foundation is an active 501c3 organization.
CARAFAP accepts private pay, Medicaid, DDA, Self- Directed, and clients on the autism waiver in the state of Maryland. CARAFAP has also expanded services to Atlanta, Georgia.
CARAFAP has received accolades, numerous awards, recognized by the mayor of Delaware for providing exceptional community-based services, and has received county executive awards in the State of Maryland. CARAFAP has become a well sought out behavioral health agency in the state of Maryland. Dr. Carter has appeared on local, national, international television and radio to spread autism awareness and advocacy. Dr. Carter provided training, seminars, and services to heighten autism awareness in Ghana, Singapore, and United Kingdom.
Dr. Carter's Accomplishments
Dr. Carter is a visionary leader, and it is the future goal for both CARAFAP Foundation, and CARAFAP, LLC to provide services both nationally and internationally. Additionally, she is a member of Women Presidents Organization and Women Elevating Women. Both are prestigious organizations which aim to showcase women entrepreneurs around the world who are making a global impact and game changing experiences within their respective fields. In May 2023, she received the Enterprising Women of the Year Award in Clearwater, Florida. This prestigious award recognized some of the top entrepreneurs worldwide. Additionally, Dr. Carter is a member of Forbes Business Council and is looking forward to writing future publications in Forbes magazine to spread autism and disability awareness.
Dr. Carter has raised funds, coordinated and participated in 5k events for children diagnosed with autism, and has sponsored various organizations promoting autism awareness. She raised a service dog to help aid in the life of a child diagnosed with autism, and to date she raised and assisted in training CARAFAP Foundation therapy dog, Bailey to assist clients enrolled in CARAFAP Foundation services. She enjoys riding horses, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Dr. Carter is passionate about the work that has been placed before her, and she insists that CARAFAP Foundation works diligently, ethically, and passionately to provide the best possible quality services to our clients and their families.
WHAT WE OFFER
Autism Waiver & DDA Services
Autism Waiver Program
CARAFAP is an approved autism waiver provider in the state of Maryland.
Self Directed Service
Self-direction gives waiver participants and families greater control...
TESTIMONIALS
What Clients Say
“CARAFAP has done a great job of providing services creatively and consistently through this pandemic. CARAFAP’s support has been invaluable to our family.”
Dr. Carolyn Seaman, PhD
“Dr Carter and the CARAFAP organization has been an absolute GOD-send. With compassionate, professional and a well-organized structured care model that they provide, I have seen a remarkable improvement in the well-being of my adult child who has autistic spectrum disorder. Not only have the resources and care provided to my son been helpful, the staff has also provided me with overwhelming support to help me navigate the complexities of autistic spectrum disorder. Exceptional care, highly recommended!”
Dr. Raymond Young, MD
“CARAFAP is a wonderful and caring agency that Dr. Carter has created from the ground up. They have a wonderful team that cares about the kids and their family. They are a very supportive team, that I am very appreciative of!”
Dawn Speller-Ramirez
“CARAFAP is a leading agency addressing the needs of those individuals and families dealing with special needs. Their ability to bring out the brilliance and help the people they serve is making a tremendous impact in the world. Dr. Amanda Carter is an amazing leader and visionary. Her ability to lead a multi-faceted agency, work with clients, and collaborate with her staff with excellence is the type of leadership needed when making a difference in people’s lives. She works tirelessly to provide acute care and strategic leadership as a women-owned business. I would highly recommend CARAFAP as viable and leading agency providing service in the community.”
Gregory C Scott, President & CEO
“Dr. Carter is amazing, and her love and passion for her work, and her work with children with autism is amazing! She helped point us in the right direction in obtaining a service dog for our son, and that is just the tip of the iceberg of what she does.”
Autumn Smith
“I have had an opportunity to see the growth of CARAFAP as an Autism Waiver provider over the past three years. CARAFAP impact on the lives of the children they serve is undeniable as reported by their families, comments from the State and Autism Waiver advocates. Therapeutically driven to therapeutic animals serve as their foundation. Quality services, community activities and recognition programs for their families and participants have allowed CARAFAP to create a “circle of support” for their participants. I absolutely love the mission and passion of Dr. Carter and the staff. Consequently, CARAFAP has developed into one of the most sought-after Autism Waiver providers in the counties they serve! Please give them a try! You will not be disappointed.”
Dr. Veda Usilton, PhD
“This is one of the best places of business I’ve worked at! The agency makes you feel like family! All the staff are friendly and easy to get along with. Dr. Carter does a great job of ensuring all of her clients get the best services possible. CARAFAP is a great agency!!!”
Jocelyn Edwards