The Autauga/Western Elmore Arc is a membership organization open to all persons who wish to advocate for and support persons with intellectual disabilities. Our organization operates four programs in the River Region: The Louise M. Smith Developmental Center, Supported Employment, Doris Jean Grant Residential Program and the Early Infant Education Intervention Opportunities Program (E.I.E.I.O.).

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AWE Arc is a member chapter of the Arc of Alabama and Arc of the U.S. Organized in 1984, the AWE Arc is a non-profit , Board administered United Way member agency supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Autauga and Western Elmore Counties. The Arc Chapters in Alabama are the largest service providers to persons with intellectual disabilities in the state.

Alison Deason
June Dorough
Kim Hicks

Ivy Johnson
Marcia Johnson
Leisa Lee

Nikki Rhodes

Ashley Jones
Chris Peak
David Smith

Johannah Munch

Christian Poyner

Harrison Dent

MISSION

To educate, train, support, and advocate for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to enable them to reach their maximum potential as participating members of society.

Our Partners

The Arc of Alabama, Chapter Member
The Arc of the United States, Affiliated Chapter Member
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
River Region United Way
Prattville Chamber of Commerce
Autauga County School System
Elmore County School System

Jess Butrica, Executive Director

Jess began working at the Smith Center in January of 2007. She has been the Director over the agency for 10 years. Her educational background is a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Together, Jess and her wife Lisa have three children and four fur-babies! In her free time, she enjoys front yard sitting, traveling, kayaking, Alabama football and spending time with family. She has an extra strong passion for disabilities advocacy and strives to continue to improve services in this area. Jess looks forward to being part of positive change in the evolving services and supports within the Department of Mental Health in the state of Alabama.

Kenyatta Dennis, Transportation Supervisor/ Activities Coordinator

Kenyatta started working at the Smith Center on Sept. 24, 2019, in the transportation department. She now is the Transportation Supervisor. She’s 28 years old and has 3 children; one daughter and two sons.

Amy has been with the Smith Center since April of 2009. She serves primarily as the supervising nurse, but also assists with Quality Assurance issues. She is on call after hours to assist with the healthcare needs of our residential clients. She received her LPN License in 1995 and since then has worked with people who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Amy has lived in the river region all her life. She is a single mom to 2 daughters and has 2 grandchildren. She enjoys being outdoors and gardening when she is not working.

Carla Darby, Early Intervention Director

Carla began working at the Smith Center March of 2015 as a Service Coordinator with EIEIO (Early Infant Education Intervention Opportunities).  She now works as EIEIO Director, alongside four Service Coordinators.  Carla received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Auburn University in Early Childhood Special Education.  She taught school for 27 years, retiring from the Autauga County School system May 2012.  Since retirement, she worked for a private company in the educational services division under a federal grant program transforming underperforming schools and school districts.  She considers herself to be home again working with children with developmental delays and their families.  Carla has been married for over thirty years to her husband, Andrew, and they have three sons and three rescue dogs.  Carla loves everything Auburn, gardening, beach, and mostly spending time with her family.

Jamie Mims, Early Intervention Service Coordinator

Jamie Started with Early Intervention (E.I.E.I.O) in January of 2015. She graduated from Troy University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Services focusing in Vocational Rehabilitation. Jamie is Married to Mr. Dewayne Mims and lives in Wetumpka . She has a blended family with six children Mary Elizabeth, Laura John and Maddie Emerson, and Parker, Holly and Anna Mims. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the lake and Alabama football.

Angela Weldon, Early Intervention Service Coordinator

​Angela started with E.I.E.I.O. in July of 2017. She has worked in Early Intervention for 15 years as a service coordinator and special instructor. She has a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology and audiology. She has been married to Charlie Weldon for 32 years and has one son, who is 28 years old, and one fur baby, named big daddy. In her free time, Angela enjoys reading, gardening, and cooking for others. 

Georgia Shearon, Administrative Assistant/HR

Georgia began working at the Smith Center in August of 1999 as the receptionist/secretary and now works as the Administrative Assistant, HR Coordinator, and does new employee orientation training, CPI, and CPR/FA training. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology in 2009. She has been married to her husband, Bob, for 48 years and they have 3 children, 12 awesome grandchildren, and 1 precious great-grand daughter. Bob and Georgia’s oldest daughter and her husband have adopted 3 children. They have 3 children with Down Syndrome; 2 of them were adopted from China. Bob and Georgia’s son has been attending the Smith Center since 1994. She enjoys participating in the Women’s Ministry at her Church, attending activities the grandchildren are involved in, sewing, crocheting, and reading in her “spare” time.

Gail Reeves, Accounting Assistant

Gail is the Accounting Assistant at AWE/Arc. She has the responsibility of doing residential client billing, residential accounts payable, employee payroll, and other duties assigned by her supervisor. She has served as the Accounting Assistant for AWE/Arc for 11 years and has over 29 years of experience working in the accounting field. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business/General Management from University of Phoenix and is currently working on her MBA. Gail has severed as Accounts Payable Clerk to Elmore County Commission, CADTF, and the 5 County Districts as well as Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk to Wiregrass Hospice Montgomery, and Payroll Clerk/Accounts Payable and Office Manger to Resurrection Life Center. She has been married to her husband Pastor Michael O. Reeves Sr. for 25 years and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Gail enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys working at the church and doing volunteer work/projects with her children.

Kearra Brown, Residential Coordinator/ QDDP

Kearra started working with Autauga Western Elmore Arc in 2015. She started has a one on one personnel. Shortly thereafter she became a lead instructor and then moved her way to be the agency Appointment Coordinator. She spent two years as the Residential Coordinator and now holds the role as the Residential QDDP/Department Head. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University.. Kearra aspires to be a behavior analyst with the ambition in getting her PHD in the future. She is dedicated in creating a life of experience for the people that we support. 

Annette Holliday, Bus Aide

Annette has been with the Smith Center for 34 years. She has 3 children, 1 son and 2 daughters. She also has 3 grandchildren. In her spare time she likes to shop, play games and word search puzzles (which are her favorite.)

Angelique Evans, Direct Support Professional/ Residential

Angelique has been employed at the Smith Center since October of 2013. She has worked in Pre-vocational services, the Day Hab program and the Residential program. She has three children and enjoys reading, sci-fi shows, horseback riding, and American Sign Language.

Jocelynne Bruce,  Day Program Manager/QDDP 

Jocelynne began working for the Smith Center in 2003 as a Residential DSP. She is now the Day Hab QDDP! She has an Associate’s Degree in Radio & TV Broadcasting and has recently earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ashford University. She enjoys watching Hallmark & Lifetime movies, playing air hockey and food. She is dedicated to the individuals she supports, helping them become more independent and confident in their own abilities. She encourages all in her area to try new things.​