Topline:
California's CARE Court opens in Orange, Riverside and five other counties today.
Why it matters: The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court is designed to help Californians living with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. To be eligible for a CARE Court, a resident must be at least 18 years old, substantially deteriorating and unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision.
Why now: Family, neighbors, community members and even first responders can now file a CARE Court petition in seven counties across the state, including Orange and Riverside counties. The city of Riverside said it received at least one petition Monday morning. According to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, a treatment plan can be ordered for up to 12 months. A judge will regularly review the plan, and may renew it for up to another year.
The backstory: Gov. Newsom signed the CARE Act into law in September 2022. It was introduced by Sen. Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton).
What's next: L.A. County is expected to launch its CARE Court program on Dec. 1. The rest of California has until December 2024 to do the same.
Go deeper ... to learn more about CARE Court in L.A. County