RIVER OAK YOUTH CENTER

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

River Oak Youth Center is a residential treatment facility for female youth aged 12–17. The program provides a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for young people who need intensive mental health treatment and behavioral support. With 24/7 care provided by trained staff, the program offers comprehensive evaluation, individualized treatment planning, and ongoing support with an average stay of six to nine months. The program is designed to help youth stabilize emotionally and behaviorally while preparing for a successful transition back to their families and communities.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY & GOALS

The program is grounded in a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that emphasizes healing, personal growth, and responsibility. Its core goals include:

Fostering emotional and behavioral stability through individualized therapeutic interventions.

Promoting personal development and social skills within a predictable and accepting community setting.

Supporting family engagement to ensure a smooth and sustainable return to a stable home environment.

Empowering youth to overcome the challenges of trauma by developing healthier coping strategies and self-regulation skills.

TYPES OF SERVICES AND TREATMENT

River Oak Youth Center offers a full continuum of care that includes:

Individual Therapy: Weekly sessions tailored to each youth’s specific emotional and behavioral needs, focusing on issues such as trauma, victimization, and violence.

Group Therapy: Daily sessions led by credentialed therapists that use cognitive-behavioral and evidence-based methods to address distress, teach social skills, and prepare youth for community reintegration.

Family Therapy: Sessions designed to strengthen family relationships and support youth progress, offered in various formats (in-person, telephonic, or virtual) to accommodate family needs.

Psychiatric Services: Onsite evaluations, medication management, and regular follow-ups with a contracted psychiatrist, including telehealth availability and crisis support.

Ancillary Support Groups: Programs such as Expressive Arts, Recovery Support, Grief Support, Independent Living Skills, and Mindfulness/Yoga to enhance self-expression, problem-solving, and overall emotional well-being.

Crisis and Suicide Prevention: A trauma-responsive environment supported by extensive staff training in de-escalation and crisis intervention.

ACADEMIC/VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Educational and vocational support is a key component of the program:

Onsite Educational Services: Each youth is assessed to develop an individualized education plan that includes academic instruction and social skills development.

Transition Opportunities: There is a pathway for transitioning to in-person learning through the local public school system to ensure continuity in education.

Life Skills and Pre-Vocational Training: Programs focus on behavior motivation, independent living skills, and pre-vocational preparation to equip youth with the skills needed for personal success and community reintegration.

REFERRAL SOURCES & FEES

Youth may be referred to the program by various agencies and professionals including child protective services, juvenile justice systems, mental health providers, school counselors, and family referrals.