CARE Act Program Celebrates First Graduate | News [Video]

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The County’s Behavioral Health Services and Public Defender departments, Superior Court and other partners are all celebrating an inspiring milestone for the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act program.

On Aug. 7, CARE Court held its first graduation ceremony.

The CARE Act gives individuals the opportunity to participate in creating their own CARE agreement for mental health and housing support. Eligible adults are persons with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Families, clinicians, first responders, and others can file a petition with the civil court to connect people, 18 years and older, to court-ordered voluntary treatment if they meet criteria related to health and safety.

The CARE Act process is based on collaboration and promotes a person-centered process. The County implemented the CARE Act on October 1, 2023, and recently enrolled its 50th person in the program which is more than all the other participating California counties combined.