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.

Chris Peak   

Ivy Johnson 

Johannah Munck

Sloan Hicks

April Bush Baker

Chrissy Voss

Phillip Rawls

Kahlil Blake

Tara Chambliss

Chic Lineberry

Kim Hicks

Leisa Lee 

Jessia Sanders

Coree Toney

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 since 2013. 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 is 33 years old. She is a mother of 3 beautiful children: Karmen, who is 13, London, who is 11 and Traylon, who is 5. Outside of working at AWE/Arc, her kids keep her super busy with basketball, football, and cheer. She started with the agency on September 24, 2019, as a driver in the transportation department. Although she has worked in mental health for over 10 years, she has never felt so at home until she started with the Smith Center. Working in transportation gave her the opportunity to really bond with the people we serve. Ten months into her employment at the center, she was promoted to Supervisor in the transportation department. She’s been faced with many challenges, but having a strong and dependable team behind her has made her job here successful. Her goal here is to keep growing and improving community integration with our individuals.

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 in March of 2015 as a Service Coordinator with EIEIO (Early Infant Education Intervention Opportunities). She now works as EIEIO Director, alongside five 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. Carla has been married for over thirty-seven years to her husband, Andrew, and they have 3 sons, 2 daughters-in law, 2 grandchildren and a rescue dog. Carla loves everything Auburn, gardening, going to the beach and mostly spending time with her family. 

Jamie Mims, Early Intervention Service Coordinator

Jamie started with Early Intervention (EIEIO) 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 Dewayne Mims and lives in Wetumpka. She has a blending family with 6 children, Mary Elizabeth, Laura John, Maddie Emerson, 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 EIEIO in July of 2017. She has worked in Early Intervention for 20 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 38 years. They have 1 son and 1 fur baby, named Lil Mama. In her free time, Angela enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and serving others.

Gail Reeves, Business Office Manager

Gail is the Business Office Manager at AWE/Arc. She has over 30 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 served as Accounts Payable Clerk to Elmore County Commission, CADTF, and 5 County Districts as well as Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk to Wiregrass Hospice Montgomery, and Payroll Clerk/Accounts Payable and Office Manager to Resurrection Life Center. She has been married to her husband, Pastor Michael O. Reeves, Sr. for 28 years and they have 4 children and 6 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, Assistant Director of Services

Kearra began working with Autauga Western Elmore ARC in 2015. Since her employment with the agency, she has worked in almost every role from 1:1 staff to appointment coordinator to residential department head/QDDP. She is now stepping into a new role as the Assistant Director. She is overjoyed with this opportunity to work alongside the Executive Director. She is dedicated to ensuring the growth and reputation of the agency. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Liberty University. Kearra sees the need for more providers and professionals in the DMH system. She aspires to be a behavior analyst with the ambition in getting her PhD in the future. This will give her the opportunity to provide more resources to the people that we support on a daily basis.

Annette Holliday, Bus Aide

Annette has been with the Smith Center for 40 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 favorites).

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 3 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 now holds the position of program manager/QDDP. She has an associate’s degree in Radio and TV Broadcasting and has earned a bachelor's in psychology from Ashford University. Jocelynne is currently pursuing her masters. She is dedicated to the individuals she supports, helping them become more independent and confident in their own abilities. Jocelynne encourages all in her area to try new things.