California's CARE Court process has placed fewer adults in mental health treatment plans than intended, California Healthline reported Nov. 27.
In October 2023, the state launched the CARE Court system in seven California counties. The program allows civil court judges to order adults into monitored care plans. Behavioral health workers, family members and first responders can petition a court to move a person into a care plan.
It is designed to move people with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders into housing and treatment. It is the first system of its kind in the U.S.
The program is set to expand statewide Dec. 1, California Healthline reported.
Here are five things to know:
- In the first nine months of the program, 557 petitions were filed with civil court judges. By the end of June 2024, 100 people were placed in court-approved treatment plans.
- State officials told California Healthline they are confident the state can reach its goal to place 2,000 people in care plans by the end of 2024.
- Officials have estimated between 7,000 and 12,000 people are eligible for CARE plans.
- Around 40% of petitions filed in the first nine months of the program were dismissed, according to California Healthline. Only those with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are eligible, and they must not be in another voluntary treatment program.
- California spent $358 million in one-time funding on the program and projects spending $108 million annually to maintain it, according to California Healthline.
Read more here.