CARE Act Petition

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act allows specific people, called “petitioners,” to ask the court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or court-ordered CARE plan for other persons, called "respondents," who have certain untreated severe mental illnesses, specifically schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. A CARE agreement or plan may include services such as:

• Behavioral Health Services
• Medication Management
• Housing Resources
• Social Services and Supports

CARE Act proceedings involve assessments and hearings to determine whether the respondent meets eligibility requirements. A county behavioral health agency will be involved in the process. If the person qualifies for CARE, a CARE agreement or plan can be made.

The CARE Act goal is to provide mental health services to the most severely impaired Californians who too often languish without the treatment they desperately need.

Eligibility for CARE Act Services

• 18 years and older with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum or other psychotic disorders;
• The person has symptoms that are severe in degree and persistent in duration, which interferes substantially with activities of daily living, and which may result in an inability to maintain stable adjustment and independent functioning without treatment, support, and rehabilitation for a long or indefinite period of time;
• The person is not stabilized with ongoing voluntary outpatient treatment;
• Either the person is unlikely to survive safely/independently in the community (such as maintaining personal safety, hygiene, diet, health, and/or necessary relationships without supervision) and the condition is deteriorating OR services and support are needed to prevent relapse or deterioration;
• Participation in CARE Act is the least restrictive alternative; AND
• The person will likely benefit from participating in a CARE Plan or CARE Agreement

Who Can File A Petition?

• A person who lives with the Respondent
• A spouse, parent, sibling, adult child, or grandparent
• First responder: peace officer, firefighter, mobile crisis response, homeless outreach worker.
• The Director of Hospital, or designee, where Respondent is hospitalized.
• A Licensed Behavioral Health Professional or designee treating Respondent for mental health services.
• Director of Public/Charitable Organization providing behavioral health services.
• The public guardian/conservator
• The Director of County Behavioral Health
• The Director of Adult Protective Services
• The Director of California Indian Health Services or Tribal Behavioral Health
• The Respondent