Newsom's CARE Court: Promises vs. Mental Health Progress Numbers

The Promise and Reality of California’s CARE Court Program

In March 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom stood before a crowd and proposed a new approach to address the crisis of homelessness and mental illness in California. He criticized previous efforts, such as Laura’s Law, which had helped only 218 people during the 2018-19 fiscal year. His new initiative, known as CARE Court, aimed to provide court-ordered treatment for individuals with severe mental illness who were unable to take care of themselves.

The program was designed to allow family members, first responders, doctors, and others to petition the courts on behalf of someone suffering from severe psychosis. If accepted, the individual could agree to voluntary treatment, including counseling, medication, and housing. If they refused, a judge could order them to follow a treatment plan.

However, nearly two years after its launch, CARE Court has reached only a few hundred people—far below the thousands Newsom promised. CalMatters conducted an investigation into the program, gathering data from all but four of California’s 58 counties. The results showed low numbers, a slow rollout, and predictions that vastly exceeded reality.

According to the Judicial Council of California, just 2,421 petitions have been filed through July 2024, with only 528 resulting in treatment agreements or plans. San Diego County, which expected 1,000 petitions in the first year, received only 384 and established 134 voluntary agreements. Los Angeles County, the state’s largest, saw 511 petitions, but only 112 resulted in care agreements.

Across the state, many petitions are being dismissed. About 45% of all petitions are rejected, with some counties like San Francisco seeing nearly two-thirds of cases thrown out. Courts have ordered only 14 treatment plans so far, while most counties are offering voluntary agreements that can be ignored by participants.

Challenges and Criticisms

The program’s slow progress has raised concerns among disability rights organizations, who argue that it is a waste of money and a political move rather than a genuine solution. Many families who initially supported the program now feel it has fallen short. Anita Fisher, a mother whose son suffers from severe mental illness, once advocated for CARE Court but now calls it a “total failure.”

One of the main challenges is the narrow eligibility criteria. Only individuals with schizophrenia and other limited psychotic disorders qualify, and outreach workers often struggle to find homeless individuals. Additionally, even if a judge orders treatment, there is little enforcement to ensure compliance.

Some lawmakers are pushing to expand the program. Senate Bill 27, introduced by Senator Thomas Umberg, would make people with bipolar disorder eligible for CARE Court. However, critics argue that this expansion could further strain an already under-resourced system without addressing deeper issues like housing shortages and inadequate mental health services.

Financial and Operational Struggles

The state spent $88.3 million on CARE Court in the 2022-23 fiscal year and $71.3 million in 2023-24. With fewer than 550 people receiving services through the program, critics say the funds are not being used effectively. Some counties argue that even petitions that don’t lead to official agreements have helped connect individuals with services, but these outcomes are not always quantified.

Counties also face operational challenges. In San Diego, officials expected a flood of petitions but found the process more difficult than anticipated. First responders and clinicians often lack the time to attend court hearings, and federal privacy laws complicate the process for families.

Orange County, another early adopter, received far fewer petitions than expected. Officials attributed this to existing programs that already serve similar populations. Other counties, like Colusa and Mendocino, reported no petitions at all, citing resource limitations.

Future Prospects

Despite the challenges, some counties are making progress. Alameda County has filed 125 petitions since December 2023, and San Diego has seen 10 graduations—the most in the state. However, expanding the program remains controversial. While Umberg’s bill aims to increase eligibility and streamline the process, opponents worry it will place additional burdens on already overworked clinicians without sufficient funding.

As the program continues to evolve, the question remains: Will CARE Court live up to its promise, or will it remain a costly and ineffective response to California’s mental health crisis?