Title
Receive a presentation on the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act Program.
Presenters: Melanie Rhodes, Behavioral Health Bureau Chief, Fabricio Chombo, Behavioral Health Assistant Bureau Chief, Kelley Molton, Behavioral Health Deputy Director, Cassandra Shaw, Behavioral Health Services Manager II
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, Homelessness, and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a presentation on the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act Program.
SUMMARY:
The CARE Act is a California statewide initiative launched on December 1, 2024 under Senate Bill (SB) 1338. Administered by the California Department of Health CARE Services (DHCS), the program provides a pathway to deliver mental health treatment and support services to eligible individuals (adults aged 18+) who have untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders, or bipolar I disorder with psychotic features and are not currently stabilized in ongoing voluntary treatment.
DISCUSSION:
The CARE Act is a civil court process where certain people, such as family members, first responders, and providers, may file a petition to the court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan. A CARE agreement or CARE plan may include treatment, housing resources, and other services. The CARE Act is intended to serve as an upstream intervention for individuals experiencing severe impairment to prevent avoidable psychiatric hospitalizations, incarcerations, and Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Mental Health Conservatorships. The CARE Process will provide earlier action, support, and accountability for both CARE clients, and the local governments responsible for providing behavioral health services to these individuals.
Beginning January 1, 2026, changes made by Senate Bill 27 went into ef...
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