Key Takeaways:
– Bay Area counties are launching CARE Courts to help people with severe mental health issues.
– CARE Courts provide treatment and housing for those struggling with mental illness.
– The program targets individuals who need intensive support but cannot seek help on their own.
– CARE Courts are part of a statewide effort to address homelessness and mental health crises.
– Eligibility is strict, and participation is voluntary but can lead to conservatorship if treatment is refused.
New Courts Help People with Severe Mental Illness
Cities in the Bay Area are seeing more people on the streets struggling with mental health problems. To help, local counties are starting special courts called *CARE Courts*. These courts aim to connect people with severe mental illnesses to treatment and housing. The goal is to support those in crisis while addressing the growing homelessness issue.
How CARE Courts Work
CARE Courts are a new kind of civil court program created by California Governor Gavin Newsom. The idea is to help people with serious mental health issues like schizophrenia who aren’t getting the care they need. Family members, friends, first responders, or healthcare providers can refer someone to CARE Court. A judge then creates a treatment plan that may include medication, counseling, or a place to live. The plan lasts for a year and can be extended for another year if needed.
However, judges can’t force people to accept treatment. If someone refuses help, the court can consider conservatorship. This means a guardian would make decisions for the person, which could include sending them to a locked facility for care.
Who Is Eligible for CARE Court?
CARE Courts are designed for people with severe mental health problems who can’t or won’t seek help on their own. Many of these individuals are homeless, but others might still be living with family or friends. To qualify, someone must have a serious psychiatric condition and not be receiving treatment. This means only a small number of people will be eligible for the program.
Statewide, about 7,000 to 12,000 people might qualify for CARE Court, but California has over 181,000 homeless residents. This shows that CARE Courts alone can’t solve homelessness. Instead, they’re a small part of a larger plan to improve mental health care in the state.
Some Counties Are Already Running CARE Courts
A few counties, like San Francisco and San Mateo, have already started their CARE Courts. But so far, very few people have gone through the program. For example, in San Mateo County, only three people joined in the first two months. Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties plan to start their programs by early December.
Local officials believe CARE Courts can help people with the most serious needs. “This program is for people with extreme problems who haven’t gotten help before,” said Judge Sandra Bean of Alameda County, who will oversee the CARE Court there. “Many families don’t know how to help their loved ones.”
Challenges and Concerns
While CARE Courts are seen as a positive step, there are concerns about how well they’ll work. One big issue is that California doesn’t have enough mental health workers, housing, or treatment centers. A 2021 study found the state was short on thousands of treatment beds and supportive housing units. Without these resources, it’s hard to provide the help people need.
Another concern is about civil rights. Some advocates argue that forcing people into treatment through courts or conservatorship takes away their freedom. “This program unnecessarily involves the courts to force medical care on people,” said Helen Tran, an attorney at the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
Supporters of CARE Courts say they’re not a perfect solution but are a start. They also point to Proposition 1, a $6.4 billion bond measure passed by voters earlier this year. This money will fund more treatment beds and supportive housing, though it won’t be available for at least a year.
What’s Next for CARE Courts?
As CARE Courts expand across the state, counties are preparing to launch their programs. Alameda County, for example, is hosting online meetings to teach people how to refer someone to CARE Court. Starting November 28, referrals can be made online, and in person at local courthouses beginning December 2. Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties will also start accepting referrals on December 1.
Local officials know they need to do more to make the program successful. They’re working to educate communities on how to refer people to CARE Courts and improve outreach. “We need to hold public meetings and partner with local organizations,” said Rovina Nimbalkar of NAMI Santa Clara County, a mental health advocacy group.
A Small but Important Step
CARE Courts are not a magic solution to homelessness or mental illness, but they’re an important step forward. They focus on helping people with the most severe needs, even if that’s a small number overall. By connecting these individuals to treatment and housing, CARE Courts hope to make a difference in their lives and reduce the suffering seen on Bay Area streets.
Time will tell how effective these courts will be. For now, they’re part of a larger effort to improve mental health care and address homelessness in California.