Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Noelia Corzo, District 2
Subject: Reappointment to the Behavioral Health Commission (fka Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for reappointment of Jean Perry, representing Family member, for a third term, to the Behavioral Health Commission, for a term ending September 30, 2029.
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BACKGROUND:
The Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) reviews and evaluates the County’s mental health and substance abuse disorders needs, services, facilities and special problems. The Commission advises the Board of Supervisors and the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director on any aspect of the local mental health program, reviews and approves procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process and submits an annual report to the Board of Supervisors on the needs and performance of the County's mental health system.
The Commission consists of 22 members,19 of whom are appointed by the Board of Supervisors representing family members, consumers/clients, professionals and interested residents. With respect to the remaining three members, one shall be a member of the Board of Supervisors, and two shall be members of the County’s Youth Commission. By State law, at least 50% of the 19 members appointed by the Board must be consumers or family members of consumers of mental health services. Per BHC Bylaws, three (3) members represent as Public members who have knowledge and experience of the mental health and substance use condition service systems and may include additional consumer/client/family members.
On May 20, 2025, Resolution 081162 was passed by the Board amending the commission’s bylaws to reflect the inclusion of one (1) required Client Youth seat within the existing Consumer/Client membership, and the inclusion of a new category of one (1) Public Education seat within the existing 19 appointed members, in accordance with a 2024 amendment to the Welfare and Institutions Code.
DISCUSSION:
Upon approval, the above-recommended member’ reappointment will reflect terms effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029.
Jean Perry has served on the commission since initial partial term of March 2020. Jean Perry is a community advocate with more than 40 years of experience in behavioral health, peer and family supports, maternal and women’s health, clinical research, and hospice care. Jean has served on the San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) for over 6 years, as a Co-chair in late 2024, as the Chair in 2025 and 2026, and as lead of the BHC Older Adult Committee. Jean completed the Lived Experience Academy in 2012 and is a member of the advocacy council. She’s served as a NAMI San Mateo Family-to-Family course leader and other volunteer leadership positions over the years. Jean holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate and previously worked as a nurse practitioner.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.