TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services Agency
REPORT BY: Summer Isham, Contract Supervisor
SUBJECT: CARE Court Presentation
RECOMMENDATION
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Receive a presentation regarding the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act, related Court, and implementation in Napa County. (No Fiscal Impact, Mandatory)
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BACKGROUND
The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act is legislation that authorizes CARE court, a new civil court process to ensure that individuals
most impacted by mental health challenges receive the services they need. CARE court establishes a civil court
process whereby the courts may order eligible individuals to participate in a CARE plan for up to 12 months
with the possibility to extend for an additional 12 months. The civil court process is designed to help focus
efforts on comprehensive treatment, housing, and services for individuals with untreated serious mental health
issues.
Specifically, CARE court is for individuals 18 years of age or older; currently experiencing a severe mental
illness and a diagnosis identified in the disorder class: schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders;
not clinically stabilized in ongoing voluntary treatment; and either the person is unlikely to survive safely in
the community without supervision and the person’s condition is substantially deteriorating and/or they are in
need of services and supports in order to prevent a release or deterioration that would be likely to result in grave
disability or serious harm to person or others, as defined in Welfare & Institutions Code section 5150;
participation in a CARE plan or CARE agreement would be the least restrictive alternative necessary to ensure
the person’s recovery and stability; and it is likely that the person will benefit from participation in a CARE
plan or CARE agreement.
CARE court is being implemented in phases. The first cohort of counties to implement the CARE Act include
the counties of Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and San Francisco by October 1, 2023. Los Angeles began implementation on December 1, 2023. All remaining counties, including Napa, are
required to begin implementation by December 1, 2024.
This presentation will provide an overview of the CARE Act and the steps taken by Health and Human Services
Agency and the collaboration with key partners to ensure Napa County’s readiness to launch the program
December 1, 2024.
Requested Action:
Receive a presentation regarding Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE): The CARE
Act/CARE Court and implementation in Napa County
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS:
No Action Required
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
|
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California
Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.