Judy Watson, Executive Director/CEO has been employed at Rainbow of Challenges since August 1989 and has worked in many different positions throughout the past 26 years. Judy feels that each position change has given her a full understanding of the organization as a whole and forced her to learn about all aspects of the services/supports available to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Judy started as a direct support worker with Adult’s in the Day Program as a lead direct support worker. Since that time has moved up through the organization as a supervisor/Assistant QMRP, coordinator of Adult Day Program, Residential Program, Home and Community Based Waiver and Support Services (case management, transportation, food services and maintenance).
During the past two years Judy has served as President of the Board of Directors for Developmental Disabilities Provider. She has been actively involved on a number of different state committees representing providers. Most recently, Judy was appointed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Medicaid Reform. Judy is an active member of ANCOR and serves on the Board of Representatives for Arkansas. Judy was chosen by ANCOR to be a provider representative at the CMS ICF/MR Surveyors Training on two different occasions.
Judy has been married to Danny Watson for 36 years and they have two children. Justin and his wife Candice who live in Honolulu Hawaii, they have one daughter Kai and Andrew and his wife Haylee who live in Hope, Arkansas, they have three children Cade, Reynlee and Jep. Judy’s kids and grandkids are her past time, she loves spending time with them swimming, outdoors and traveling.
Teresa Porter has been employed by Rainbow of Challenges since September 1987 and has worked in many different positions during her tenure. Teresa feels that each position change has given her a broad understanding of the organization and enabled her to learn all aspects of the organization’s administration in relation to the services/supports available to individuals with disabilities.
Teresa started with the organization as a direct support worker in the public school classroom in 1987. A year later she accepted a clerical position for direct services. In 2001, she transferred to the position of Administrative Assistant eventually being promoted to Executive Assistant to the Executive Director as her duties and responsibilities increased. Teresa’s involvement in all administrative and support services has given her the opportunity to understand the operational functions of the organization. In 2007, she transferred to the finance department as the Accountant. Since that time she has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for the organization’s financial activities including payroll and HUD.
In 2009, Teresa graduated with honors from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Accounting. This degree, along with her experience and training, has been valuable to ensure that all Rainbow of Challenges’ financial activities are conducted in the best interest for the organization in both an ethical and efficient manner.
Teresa considers her role as the mother of a child with severe disabilities to be her most valuable experience with ROC and life in general. This experience has given her a better appreciation for providing quality services and supports to individuals with disabilities and their families. This experience has also created a strong bond with her family. She has been married to her husband, Bruce, for 34 years. In addition to their special child (now deceased), they have two other children; Chris and Aimee.
Teresa is actively involved with her church where she serves as pastor’s wife, pianist, church clerk/treasurer. She has served on various state boards as well local community activities.
Kris Stewart joined ROC in 2000 as the Residential and Day Service Coordinator. He currently serves as Vice President of Residential Services and Training. He also serves as the QIDP for Omega Home (ICF/IID).
Kris lives in Hope and is married to Delma Stewart and they have two children.
Kris graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a BA in Education. He has over 22 years experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Leadership from the University of Delaware. He is a master level CPI Instructor and has provided crisis prevention training for ROC employees since 2003.
Kris is a team oriented individual who has a true passion for the individuals ROC supports. “This is truly my life calling and I am so thankful to ROC for giving me the opportunity to develop relationships with so many wonderful people. I am honored to work for our individual consumers in helping them to achieve their life long goals and dreams.”
Karri Whitten is the Children Services Vice President. She began as the Qualified Developmental Disability Professional (QDDP) for ROC’s Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/MRDD) in 1998.
Prior to joining ROC, Karri served as a Program Coordinator for the Arkadelphia Human Development Center and as a Certified Recreational Therapist for an extensive variety of programs that served children, adults, and the elderly with psychiatric, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. She is a proud graduate of Henderson State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy and a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling.
Karri’s role as the daughter of a person with severe disabilities is considered her most most valuable experience/educational tool in her mission to do “Whatever it Takes” to provide the the best possible services for her ROC family.
Karri is the mother of three “beautiful, highly spirited, and exceptionally brilliant boys”; Staton , Donovan, and Walker.
Brenda Brantley was “born and raised” in Hope, Arkansas and has lived in this area her entire life. She graduated from Hope High School and later in life, attended SAU in Magnolia, where she earned her BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) Degree.
Brenda and her husband, David, currently reside in Bodcaw. Her employment with Rainbow of Challenges began in September 2000, when she was hired as Children’s Case Manager. At that time, she didn’t realize how much she would come to love, respect and admire the ROC family.
Brenda believes that the teams’ commitment, dedication and teamwork make this an awesome place to work. She feels the individuals we serve are amazing and unique individuals, who make this job even more rewarding
Jennifer Block, Vice President of Innovation and Development began her ROC career in February 2011 as Assistant Director of Children Services. She is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, TX with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Studies.
Jennifer is the wife of Jeremy Block, Maintenance Manager with Georgia Pacific Gurdon Lumber.
“Serving the individuals and children of ROC is not only a job for me, but a calling to ensure that our services are provided today and into the future.”
Scotty Powell, Corporate Compliance Officer, graduated Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas in 2004, with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration.
Scotty began his career working with Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. (ROC) in 2005 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP).
When not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his favorite hunting buddy-daughter, Jacii.
