The River oak staff

River Oak is a sober high school supporting the educational needs of teens in recovery.

It can be scary and overwhelming for a teen to go to residential treatment or begin the journey of recovery. One of the biggest challenges they face begins when they re-enter the school system. The Center's staff seek to assist in offering students an opportunity to grow academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Our Staff's Commitment to Students

1. Create a supportive and enthusiastic environment for your recovery and education.
2. Work collaboratively with your Alternative Peer Group (APG) in supporting your emotional, social, mental, physical and spiritual development.
3. Offer opportunities for daily "check-in" and "closing" so you can work through issues that may stand in the way of your educational process each day.
4. Provide brief counseling interventions if necessary, to address any behavioral/emotional/recovery issues that surface while at school.
5. Perform random and frequent drug tests, reinforcing your accountability and ensuring your compliance with our Mission. 
6. Listen to you and hold you accountable with love

Our Staff's Commitment to Parents & Guardians

1. Treat your teen with love, acceptance and respect, especially if they are having a rough time and are acting out.
2. Return your calls within one business day if you leave a message.
3. Work with your family to ensure the well-being of your teen.
4. Provide support of, and collaboration with, APGs, psychiatrists, educational consultants and other professionals as needed.
5. Be clear and consistent with disciplinary consequences and create therapeutic contracts with your teen when necessary.
6. Openly hear any feedback you have regarding your teen’s education and development.
7. Provide services and activities that prepare your teen for life beyond high school including, but not limited to: college guidance counseling, study preparation, résumé building and vocational counseling.

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Jane Skalski, MBA, CRPS

Jane Skalski is the Program Manager at River Oak Center.  She oversees the day to day operations and maintains relationships with community providers to ensure students are provided with a positive experience while finding their way on their recovery journey.  She began working in the field of substance abuse and mental health in 2009 at Southwestern State Hospital and Gateway Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Thomasville, Ga. She has spent much of her career serving as a liaison between individuals and their families and the vast array of community services as they navigate their recovery process.  In 2016, she earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Florida State University and moved to Jacksonville, Florida. She has a strong background in math and science, graduating with a bachelor’s in Chemistry, and uses these skills to provide educational assistance to our students.

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Hope Newhouse,
​M. Ed., ESE, ESOL 

​In May 2014, I graduated from Florida State University with my Master's in Exceptional Student Education. My teaching certificate allows for me to serve students in general education, students that require ESE services, and ESOL students. I have taught in two counties in Florida, Osceola and Duval. As a teacher, my core belief is that education is something that can promote success in all areas of life. My intention when becoming part of the River Oak Center's staff was to help striving students receive academic support that will enable them to achieve life's goals.
            I began working at the River Oak Center in May of 2018 as an Academic Interventionist. The job title refers to the one-on-one support that students attending the school receive in the classroom. I look at a student's academic history and try to target the academic areas that the student needs support in mastering. The students that enroll in the River Oak Center are facing many challenges outside of school and in the classroom I try to provide a safe place to learn and grow. I am a member of the recovery community in Jacksonville, Fl. I can relate to students going through substance abuse issues and that helps in creating a positive, trusting environment. Students can feel understood and comfortable sharing their experiences/thoughts.
            Each day I walk around the classroom and sit with each student to see what we can work together on. If a student was upset the day before and disruptive, the next day its a fresh start. I return to the classroom each day to show the students that I will always be there for them and my only want is to see them succeed.

cathie howlett, MBA/PA, BSW, QIDP, QMHP  

​Cathy is the Adolescent Counselor at River Oak Center. She also will be the Employment Professional, teaching the youth Transition Pre-Placement courses. Her experiences consist of working as a Substance Abuse Counselor at an all-male minimum security prison in her native town, East St. Louis, Illinois. Cathy has worked over 20 years in several roles as a case manager, respite care coordinator, program director, family support specialist, job coaching, lead youth advocate, residential service provider and service coordinator.
 
She has a Master of Business Administration/Public Administration, Bachelor of Science in Social Work, completes coursework for a Master of Science in Counseling. She has several certifications, including Qualified Intellectual Development Professional and Qualified Mental Health Professional.
 
She recently relocated to Jacksonville, Florida from East St. Louis, Illinois (approximately 20 miles from St. Louis, Missouri). She is a proud mother of one daughter, who is a Navy veteran. She enjoys reading, traveling and enjoying life.

​Jim Griffis, MA Senior Counselor

​James W. Griffis is a Healthcare Executive with over 37 years’ experience in the field of Addiction and Mental Health.  Jim began his career in the Navy, serving honorably for 22years.  During his career he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science, with a minor in Chemical Dependency, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Behavioral Health Psychology.  His last 5 years of Naval Service was as a Certified Alcohol Treatment Specialist.  Following Navy retirement, he has served in various executive positions, including several CEO positions of various national treatment organizations.  From 2004 through 2015 he worked as a consultant to many treatment organizations around the country, as well as Belize and Mexico.  He was instrumental in the development of The Refuge Treatment Center in Central Florida and was consulting there from 2005 to 2008 as Operations Director.  He consulted with Wekiva Springs Hospital and Tenbroeck Ocala Hospital, serving as CEO of both facilities and opening them in 2004 with immediate success.  From 2014 to 2017 he was with Beaches Recovery Services, serving as the Chief Operating Officer, ensuring efficacy, and profitability in the operations of the facilities.  He is currently the Senior counselor at River Oak Center.

​Ashley Ford, BA

​Dan Renaud BS, CAP, ICADC

​ Dan Renaud BS, CAP, ICADC Addiction counselor and person in long term recovery - over 30 years.
 I have served on panels, given lectures at colleges, schools. and given seminars on addictions.  My specialty is adolescent treatment and family crisis intervention, utilizing various individual and group therapy modalities.

• Currently I am a counselor in Private Practice Jacksonville FL
• Founder and Executive Director of Florida Recovery Schools (Recovery High School)
• Co-chair Racial and Ethnic Disparities Committee for Judicial District 4
• Member multidisciplinary team Adolescent Drug Court (Duval Co)
• Co Facilitator Duval County Public Schools “Nighttime Substance Abuse Program”

Currently serves on the Boards of

• Gateway Community Services
• the Northeast Florida Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
• BAYS/JDAP
• FADAA/FBHA

Dan holds BS in Social Science from Jacksonville University.
Internationally Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor
Certified Addiction Professional
Married to Tamara they have 5 adult children and one grandchild.
Practicing Catholic Avid YOGI and Cyclist