San Diego County officials provided a preview of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, which is set to assist individuals living with untreated mental health and substance abuse challenges. The CARE Act will go into effect on Sunday in San Diego County as a pilot program alongside six other California counties.
Under the CARE Act, a petition for an individual with mental health disorders can be submitted by a variety of sources, including family members, co-residents, social services, first responders, community organizations, or law enforcement. A judge will then determine the individual’s eligibility for treatment, taking into account input from the county’s Behavioral Health Services. If deemed eligible, a CARE plan will be developed for the individual.
While some homeless individuals may meet the impairment definitions outlined in the state law, it’s important to note that the CARE Act is not a homeless housing program. The county is expected to allocate between $15 million and $20 million in the first year to consider approximately 1,000 individuals. About a quarter of those individuals are estimated to qualify and transition to confirmed cases, while others will be directed toward existing behavioral health programs.
The CARE Act offers a nominally voluntary plan, which may include behavioral health treatment, stabilization medication, and a housing plan. However, if an individual refuses treatment, a judge may recommend placement into a conservatorship, effectively requiring them to receive treatment.
Individuals who successfully complete the program and graduate from the court will remain eligible for ongoing treatment and supportive services to support long-term recovery. The program’s plans will be managed by a community-based care team to ensure participants have access to needed mental health care, supportive services, medication, and housing.
Participation in the CARE program can last up to one year, with the possibility of extension based on individual circumstances, up to a total of two years. The program includes periodic hearings to report on progress, and there is no cost for participants.
Local governments that fail to fulfill their specified duties under court-ordered Care Plans may face sanctions from courts or the appointment of an agent to ensure services are provided.
The CARE Act pilot program is also being implemented in Glenn, Orange, Riverside, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and the city and county of San Francisco. Los Angeles County will commence the program on December 1, with the rest of the state required to launch it next year.
