ERICK BENGAL: In Washington state, one of only four state-funded inpatient psychiatric programs for children is closing this November. NWPB’s Lauren Gallup reports.
LAUREN GALLUP: Washington state helps fund four Children’s Long-Term Inpatient Program sites. These facilities treat complex mental and behavioral health needs for youth. 
One of those sites is Pearl Youth Residence in Tacoma. But it’ll be closing in November. Chris Gleason works for Comprehensive Life Resources, the nonprofit that runs this program. 
CHRIS GLEASON “We've never closed a program of this scale, and we just did not take it lightly at all.” 
GALLUP: The center has struggled to recruit and retain staff in recent years. At times, they’ve had to operate under capacity.
Right now, there are 16 patients at Pearl Youth.  Gleason says they aren’t sure yet how many patients will need to be placed in other programs. Or if there will be  enough open beds at other state-funded facilities.
In Tacoma, I’m Lauren Gallup.