Founded in 1991, as a nonprofit, governed by a local board, Rio Grande Valley Council Inc. is located throughout nineteen counties of Department and State Health Services Region 11 with a diversity of substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment programs supported by state, federal, local, and client fees.

Funded previously under the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) for this service, it is now funded by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) under Community Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. DSHS is under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

We are a health and human service delivery system involved in the community at multiple levels of care including direct service, public information dissemination, coalition building, and environmental policy development. We participate in state and federal funded research to improve science-based models of care.

The Council is a resource to all individuals, families, schools, human resource organizations, and business organizations. The Council primarily relies on its community, state and/or federal funding. The Council’s services include free screening, sliding scale, and fee for service based on ctlient eligibility and type of program being requested.

Our network of support continues to build a Chamber of Commerce for human services through integrated services with other health and human service agencies. These include contracted services, letters of agreement, and/or memorandums of understanding that allow us to collaborate in bringing multiple services to the needs of individuals and families.

Through its diversified approach to meeting its mission and goals the Rio Grande Valley Council is able to bring needed resources to the border area, identify and meet gaps in services, and contribute to a stronger community with pride making a difference in “Changing Minds, Changing Lives, Changing Hearts”.

Jose G. Gonzalez LCSW, CEO

Jose G. Gonzalez acquired his B.A. in Anthropology from Stanford University in 1980 and his MSSW in Social Work from the University of Texas – Austin in 1983. In 1981 he also acquired an LVN after attending Valley Baptist Medical Center – LVN School. Jose is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council beginning in 2001 as Interim C.E.O. and before obtaining the position in 2002. Jose previously served as the Clinical Director for the Council starting in 2000. He is responsible for all aspects of this 501(C)3 non-profit organization reporting to a local Board of Directors. He has over 26 years of experience in behavioral health as a practicing clinician and administrator in multiple program settings in the Rio Grande Valley including non-profit and for-profit, private practice, hospital, day programs, and outpatient care. He enjoys ministry work as a member of the Catholic community, writing, art work, and living the sanctity of marriage with his wife, Yolanda.

Giovanna “Geo” Escalante, Director of Finance

Giovanna Escalante acquired her BBA in Accounting in 2008 from the University of Texas –Pan American. She is planning to obtain her MBA in Accounting and CPA license in the near future. Geo has aspirations to obtain her PhD in accounting in the next ten years. She is the Director of Finance for the Council operating the fiscal department having served in this position since early January 2009 as interim and later obtaining the position in March. Geo has over 6 years of experience in accounting which includes government/fund accounting and grants management. She can be found most weekends fishing at SPI or at other local favorite fishing spots.

Sylvia C. Gonzales, Director of Operations

Sylvia C. Gonzales attended Texas A&M University in Kingsville and University of Texas-Pan American earning 95 hours toward her B.A. degree. She is the Director of Operations for the Council having served in this position since 1999 with day to day oversight of all operations and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Sylvia has over 19 years experience in personnel, human resources, quality assurance, and contract management. She enjoys family, good music and conversation, bird watching, and the beach.

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Monica Hernandez, LCSW, Director of Programs

Monica Hernandez acquired her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Science in Social Work degrees from The University of Texas-Pan American in 1998 and 2000 respectively. She is joining the Council serving as Director of Programs working with multiple programs at the local, state and federal level. Monica has over 8 years experience in social services and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Texas. Her time away from the office is focused on family, friends, and leisure activities. She is also active in the community through her work as a board member for Proyecto Libertad and the Autism Council for Educational Support and Scientific Studies (ACES3).

Jose H. Hernandez LCDC, Director of Programs

Jose H. Hernandez acquired his Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in 1995. He is currently serving as Director of Programs at the Council having been at the Council since 2004 working with multiple programs in both clinical and prevention services, coordinating services with other providers in the community through the DSHS provider network for Region 11. Jose has over 14 years experience in the field of substance abuse in multiple treatment settings. He enjoys all sports, deer hunting, yard work, and spending time with family.