News from Supervisor V. Manuel Perez:

The Coachella Valley has a new center serving older teens and young adults needing behavioral health services, or just a safe environment and resources to help them navigate their journey into adulthood.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Behavioral Health invite the community to the grand opening of Desert FLOW, a resource and support center for transitional age youth (TAY), who are between the ages of 16 and 25.

The ribbon cutting will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the TAY Center in La Quinta, 78-140 Calle Tampico.

“Our behavioral health department is trying innovative, nontraditional ways to work with youth with mental health needs,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “This center will be a lifesaver for some, giving youth in our community resources and support to achieve wellness and have bright futures.”

The center will offer educational groups, life skills training, family support groups, individual and group therapy, psychiatric and medication services, and activities including music, art and games. Peer support specialists, clinical therapists, a psychiatrist, nurse and other professional staff will support the programming. There will be a special focus on identifying and treating first-episode psychosis.

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The La Quinta center is the first of three TAY centers that RUHS Behavioral Health plans to open throughout Riverside County. TAY centers are also on track to open early next year in the cities of Perris and Riverside.

“Inside the centers, young adults and their loved ones will find an open, supportive environment free of stigma and judgment,” said Steve Steinberg, director of RUHS Behavioral Health. “We are creating a safe place to help vulnerable young adults find a path that will prepare them for long-term success.”

For more information about the Desert FLOW (Fun, Love, Opportunity & Wellness) TAY Center in La Quinta, contact Program Director John Schwarzlose at 760-863-7970.

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Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Stretching from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River, the 4th District is the largest geographical district in the county.

Supervisor Perez’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.