Refrigerator Door: Family, Advocacy, and Impact: Kern Autism Network Welcomes New Leadership
by Thygerson Vaun
by Thygerson Vaun
Jul 30, 2026
Ramona Puget with her husband Bernard and children ben, Dominic, Megan, and "Augie". Photo courtesy of Ramona Puget
“I have enjoyed doing this job immensely. I have learned so much from the families, and the families have become part of my family,” says Puget. “It’s so nice seeing the families that you helped when their kids were young and now seeing them as young adults to see where they are and what they’re doing in their lives.”
As she begins this new chapter, Puget will pass the torch to longtime KAN volunteer and board member Jonny Perez, owner of Great Heritage, whose personal connection to the autism community through his niece, which has inspired his years of service and commitment to the organization. He will begin his new role in September.
New leader at KAN, Johnny Perez, officially begins in September.
With her husband, Bernard, Puget has four children, including two sons on the autism spectrum. She considers it a true blessing to have served as an advocate for individuals with autism and their families in this role since 2004. Along the way, she has built countless friendships and community connections. While stepping away from her volunteer leadership role, she looks forward to continuing to support KAN as needed and is excited to see the organization thrive under new leadership.
Puget has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Bakersfield. Before her leadership role at KAN, she worked for 12 years as the director of an after-school autism program funded by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools through the Kern Regional Center at the Lori Brock Discovery Center.
Motherhood began much as it does for many parents with the birth of her first son, Ben, now 36, who has a family of his own. As her second son, Dominic, now 34, grew, however, Puget began noticing differences in his development. When he was diagnosed with autism, she searched for information, guidance, and support, only to discover that there were very few resources available for families in Kern County. To learn more, she often traveled outside the area to attend training and connect with other parents.
When Kern Autism Network (KAN) was established in 1996, Puget became actively involved, grateful to finally have a local organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families. As her family grew with the birth of her daughter, Megan, now 27, and later her youngest son, August "Augie," now 22, who was also diagnosed with autism, KAN became not only a valuable resource but also a community where she could turn her family's experiences into advocacy and support for others facing similar journeys.
Today, Dominic and Augie are thriving adults who are clients of Kern Regional Center and attend Inclusion Film School. Puget says, “They’re both happy and enjoy what they do.” She is proud of all four of her children and the unique paths each has taken in life. Today, she is embracing one of her favorite new roles: grandmother. This new chapter in her life will give her more time to spend with her family.
Isaac Ramirez, at age five, attending a KAN event.
For one local mother, KAN became a lifeline during one of the most challenging times in her life. Single mother Sonia Ramirez reached out to KAN when her young son, Isaac, was almost three years old and beginning to show the classic signs of autism. Today, Isaac is a happy, active 12-year-old, and Ramirez looks back at those early days with gratitude for Puget and the resources provided by KAN.
Isaac just finished 6th grade and is still participating in KAN events.
Operated by an all-volunteer board, KAN will continue to work closely with families, educators, professionals, and community partners to promote inclusion, connect individuals with valuable services, and foster a more informed and supportive community. For more information, please visit www.kernautism.org
