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.
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
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.
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.
melissa salazar
Certified Recovery Peer Specialist for Nassau and Duval County since 2019.
Jomary gomez; bsw, msw
Jomary Gomez is the Community Liaison for RiverOak Alternative Peer Group program. She manages the communication between local institutions and citizens of this community. She’s a fierce advocate for the needs and concerns of all students and families at RiverOak Center.
She is originally from the island of Puerto Rico, speaks fluent Spanish and English. She completed her degree, Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Puerto Rico. Immediately after, she began her career in social work within the senior community. Her duties included providing information, translation, or training to elderlies in senior facilities. She eventually expanded her work to children and adults in the community. Jomary has extensive experience advocating for low-income families to receive healthcare services including diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance of physical and mental impairments. She’s promoted more viable lifestyles of both physical and mental/emotional health. Jomary continued her education by completing her master's degree in Clinical Social Work with a specialization in Trauma and migration. She’s had several roles at RiverOak Center and other organizations, ranging from providing services to youth with substance abuse, worked on preventative and early intervention activities, assisted in tackling underachievement by working with families, parents and children. She’s also the lead instructor for Jacksonville’s Hispanic community. murielle grey
Murielle is the Community Director for RiverOak Center’s Alternative Peer Group program. She’s a certified Health Teacher for Duval County Public School and an Instructor, Trainer and Curriculum Writer for DCPS SOS (Student Option for Success) program for Behavior Management. A 2002 graduate of University of North Florida with a Bachelor in Nursing and completed her Teacher’s Certification program at Florida State Community College.
Murielle’s experiences consist of starting a 501C3 nonprofit organization called Solution Association for Enrichment (SAFE) that focuses on underprivilege children and families, providing resources as well as educational opportunities to children who struggle academically. She’s worked as a director for after school programs, instructor and advocate for schools and organizations, while preparing young adults for life after high school. She’s always worked with at risk population and is passionate about making an impact in the lives of each child, adult, and family she encounters. Murielle has lived in Jacksonville Florida since 1981. She’s a proud native of Port-au-Prince Haiti and speaks three languages: English, French, and Haitian Creole. Her goal is to continue to implement and facilitate meaningful social and educational programs to ensure sustainable economic and academic growth and development. niklas swords
tonya reed
Tonya Reed
Case Manager, Recovery Peer Specialist and WRAP Facilitator {Wellness Recovery Action Plan} As a Case Manager at River Oak Center, I am able to offer a climate that allows direct communication between me and the staff, and to optimize the outcome for all concerned. In addition, as a Recovery Peer Specialist for over 5 years, I am able to use my life experiences and skills learned in training to help others. I strive to empower individuals to achieve their hopes, dreams, and goals to connect them with their personal Mental Health Recovery Journey. As a WRAP Facilitator for over 3 year, I am able to work in partnership with emotionally and behaviorally challenged children, teenagers and families to facilitate high-fidelity wrap services. My ultimate goal for the child is to remain safely in the home, school and community environments, while maintaining a professional relationship with a variety of individuals. Working with a range of settings, the awesome thing about it, here at RIVER OAK CENTER, OUR STUDENTS COME FIRST. |
cathy 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. 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.
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 |