Sherry Terrell, director of Behavioral Health Services, updated the committee on two operational items: the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) and the All Cove program.

Terrell said the county sent letters on Oct. 10 to 15 cities asking whether they will continue to provide or fund PERT services; the county requested written responses by Oct. 31. The goal is to give cities maximum flexibility while preserving services in jurisdictions that choose to continue funding.

Terrell also said staff will return to the committee with a report on the All Cove program in December and that staff plan community engagement to solicit local feedback ahead of the December briefing.

Why it matters: PERT provides mobile psychiatric response to community crises and city participation affects program coverage; All Cove program changes could alter youth behavioral health services in North County, a concern supervisors flagged in relation to recent youth suicides.

No committee vote was taken on these program updates; staff will report back per the stated timeline.