CARE court
Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act Court
On December 1st, San Luis Obispo will launch CARE Court. This state-mandated court is designed to get people with mental health and substance abuse disorders the support and care they need. CARE Court will help community members who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders.
Care Court
LAUNCH DATE: DECEMBER 1st, 2024
- A new civil court process designed to link individuals who have Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders to county behavioral health services, under the oversight of a judge, for up to 24 consecutive months
- Includes a clinically-indicated, individualized treatment plan, with supportive services and a dedicated team
- Housing resources are included in CARE and will be identified based on the participants needs
- Meant as a diversion process to prevent hospitalization, conservatorship or incarceration
CARE court:
- Is NOT a criminal court
- Does NOT include persons with any/all mental health conditions
- CAN NOT issue involuntary medication orders
For more information see: CARE Court A New Framework for Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment—FAQ
CARE Court Treatment Services
San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health staff provide outreach and engagement, assessment, treatment and coordination with court hearings. Treatment services for court ordered CARE participants will include:
- Outreach and engagement to encourage voluntary treatment
- Mental Health Assessments
- Individualized treatment plan (provided to the court)
- Psychiatrist appointments
- Identify housing resources (as needed)
- Intensive co-occurring treatment to address both mental health and substance use disorder needs
- Rehabilitation services to assist clients in learning and utilizing skills to improve self-care, social support system, and health
- Intensive case management to support clients in accessing housing, financial, vocational, health care, and social support services, including voluntary mental health services
Where to begin
The CARE Court process starts with a petition being filed with the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Civil Division (after the 12/1/2024 launch). Once a petition is approved by the court, County Behavioral Health is present in all court hearings and will provide mental health outreach, assessments and treatment.
There are many helpful websites to assist with the CARE process, see below.
- Care court process: CARE Act Brief - CARE Process Flow 08.30.2023 vL2 (care-act.org)
- California Civil Court: Adult Civil Mental Health (ca.gov)
- Self help guide: CARE Act | California Courts | Self Help Guide
- Petition form CARE-100 to commence CARE Act proceedings: Petition to Commence CARE Act Proceedings | California Courts | Self Help Guide
- What happens after petition is filed: Process after CARE petition filed | California Courts | Self Help Guide
- Glossary of terms - https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/Glossary-of-CARE-Act-Terminology_rev-03.22.23-Final.pdf
- CARE Act Quick Guide for Medical and Behavioral Health Providers
- Family resource guide: Family Resource Guide - CARE Act Resource Center (care-act.org)
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for CARE Act proceedings, the individual must meet all the following criteria:
• Be 18 years old or older
• Have a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder
• Be currently experiencing a mental disorder that is severe in degree and persistent in duration, which may cause behavioral functioning which interferes substantially with the primary activities of daily living, and which may result in an inability to maintain stable adjustment and independent functioning without treatment, support, and rehabilitation for a long or indefinite period of time
• Not currently clinically stabilized in an on-going voluntary treatment program
• Meet one of the following:
- The person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision and the person’s condition is substantially deteriorating.
- The person is in need of services and supports in order to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would likely result in grave disability or serious harm to the person or others, as defined in Section 5150.
• CARE would be the least restrictive alternative to ensure the person’s recovery and stability
• Be likely to benefit from participation in CARE
For information on Eligibility: CARE-Act-Eligibility-Criteria.pdf
When and where is this service offered?
This service is available throughout the county.
