California launches new mental health program in Stanislaus. Will families use CARE court?
Two petitions for CARE Court in Stanislaus County have been filed since Oct. 2, a slow start for the new court-ordered treatment initiative for people with severe mental illness.
Stanislaus is one of seven counties in California to implement the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act this month as a pilot program. But there hasn’t been a rush to get petitions before a judge in Stanislaus Superior Court, which is overseeing the new mental health court.
Ruben Imperial, assistant executive officer for the county, said Friday that he understood several CARE Act petitions are being prepared with law enforcement agencies and may be submitted soon. “We anticipate petitions will increase over the next three weeks as agencies get a better understanding of the process,” Imperial said.
Imperial said the county is planning community forums for families later this month and additional outreach in November to inform the public about CARE Court. He said other counties first to implement CARE Court said they aren’t getting a large number of petitions.
Hugh Swift, court executive officer, said the cases are confidential unless the respondent waives that provision. He did not disclose who filed the first two petitions.
Stanislaus County leaders expect around 100 people will participate in CARE Act plans the first year. The program promoted by Gov. Gavin Newsom aims to save the lives of adults with serious untreated mental illness and get them off the streets.
Families, first responders, county behavioral health staff, hospital directors and others can file CARE Act petitions with the court, asking for a treatment and care plan for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or another serious disorder that impairs their daily function and decision-making.
In this county, Judge Ruben Villalobos will review petitions. If a care team’s mental health assessment deems it necessary, a plan for treatment will be developed with the individual and the person’s appointed attorney. The plan may include mental health care and medication, and the person will have priority for available housing.
The court will seek voluntary compliance from the individual. There are no penalties if the person does not complete the treatment plan. But noncompliance with the CARE Act may be a consideration if there’s a subsequent convervatorship process, the law says.
In reviewing petitions, the court considers whether the person is likely to survive safely without supervision and whether their condition is deteriorating and may lead to grave disability or harm to others, according to the CARE Act site of county Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.
Get more information on the program:
- The Judicial Council of California has forms for the CARE Act petition. Click on “get form CARE-100.”
- Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has an online page with information about CARE Court and who is eligible. In addition, the state has resources for petitioners.
- Stanislaus Superior Court website’s Care Court page says petitions are accepted at windows #10 and #11 in the Family Law lobby, at 1100 I St. in Modesto.
This story was originally published October 15, 2023 at 8:00 AM.
