Timeline
1960s
Housed in a hotel near the old train station in Jacksonville, the Life Drug Treatment Program provided prevention services and residential, outpatient, and methadone treatment to the community.
Twenty-one different substance abuse programs in the Jacksonville area were combined into one agency and the Jacksonville Drug Abuse Program (later River Region Human Services) was established. Federal grants provided most of the funding needed to operate the agency; however, the City of Jacksonville also invested in the drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services.
1972
1979
River Region Human Services, Inc., (RRHS) was established as a private, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, to provide a comprehensive array of services including medication-assisted treatment, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, HIV prevention, education, and intervention, HIV testing and supportive housing. Over time, RRHS expanded its services to include HIV/AIDS prevention, case management, support counseling and supportive housing. RRHS has a Continuous Quality Improvement program that has been honored by the nationally-recognized Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, STAR-SI, and NIATx programs.
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited RRHS’s seven programs. Each re-accreditation period has been given the highest level of accreditation achievable.
1993
1998
Recognized at the federal level for developing a program that later became a national AIDS Outreach model.
Assumed management of St. John’s Horizon House (now Andy’s Place), the largest, most comprehensive housing program for people living with HIV/AIDS in the northeast Florida/southeast Georgia area.
2000
2004
Received the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association’s Best Practices Award.
Ryan White clients in the city rated RRHS at the top in cultural competency, ease in using services, and effectiveness.
2008
Today, RRHS has a team of professionals dedicated to the support of individuals and families in the community. Led by our volunteer board of directors, RRHS has an active quality improvement system and is constantly seeking ways to deliver services more efficiently and with better outcomes.