Title
Receive a presentation on the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act program in the County of Monterey.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Receive a presentation on the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act program in the County of Monterey.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
At the request of Supervisor Alejo, the County of Monterey Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau (BHB) will provide an overview of the CARE Act and summarize the collaborative planning efforts that led up to the December 1, 2024, program launch in the County of Monterey.
Background
On September 14, 2022, Governor Newsom approved Senate Bill (SB) 1338 establishing the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, to provide community-based behavioral health services and supports to Californians living with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders who meet certain eligibility criteria. The CARE Act creates a new pathway via a civil court process to deliver mental health treatment and support services to eligible individuals (adults aged 18+) who have untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders and are not currently stabilized in treatment. An individual enters this pathway when a petitioner requests court-ordered treatment, services, supports, and housing resources under the CARE Act, for an eligible individual (or “respondent”). Certain people including family members, first responders, and providers (healthcare, mental healthcare, and social services), may file a petition with the court. In situations where someone other than County Behavioral Health files the petition, Behavioral Health is substituted in as the petitioner at the initial court appearance. Individuals may exit out of the CARE process in several forms, including early voluntary engagement in county treatment services up to and including graduation from a CARE agreement or CARE plan. A C...
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