A new civil court process has launched across seven California counties, ABC News reported Oct. 1.
The alternative mental health court process — also known as "CARE Court" — was designed to facilitate the movement of people with psychotic disorders such as untreated schizophrenia into housing and medical care.
The court process was introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the state's homelessness crisis and allows families of people diagnosed with severe mental illness to petition the court for treatment, the report said.
To be eligible for CARE Court, the person needs a diagnosis on the schizophrenia spectrum or other qualifying disorders; people with severe depression or bipolar disorder alone do not qualify, however. People don't need to be homeless to qualify.
If the individual meets eligibility requirements, the court will then work in collaboration with the county to develop a voluntary plan that includes housing, medication, counseling and additional social services. If the parties don't agree to the plan, the court can order them to develop a plan, although in those cases the judge can also dismiss the proceedings.
While families of people with mental illness are grateful for a new avenue to get their loved ones into treatment, critics say the eligibility criteria are too narrow and fear the proceedings may force vulnerable people into treatment, the report said.