A paradigm shift on mental health and homelessness
Finally. That was our reaction when we learned about the new CARE Court framework proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Finally, a tool to address a leading cause of homelessness — mental illness — by providing a noncoercive, court-monitored program to help those too incapacitated to help themselves.
Please, contact your state elected officials today to urge passage of Senate Bill 1338, the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court Act. This legislation would help local jurisdictions ease troubled residents off the streets and into treatment.
It’s been decades since the state has updated its approach to mental health care and the need for a new tack is clear. Consider that:
• Mental illness and substance abuse are among the top causes of homelessness, in Riverside, in Corona and statewide.
• Too often, people who need treatment decline assistance or do not have the capacity to accept it; they are vulnerable and often victimized.
• Last fiscal year, the city of Riverside received more than 2,000 calls for service related to homelessness — an average of six per day — in a twoblock radius alone. Riverside is not unique; the city of Corona fielded more than 5,500 such calls in 2021.
Breaking the cycle of homelessness starts with being able to provide individuals with the treatment and services they need.
Those suffering from mental illness are likely to be involved in our justice system and end up incarcerated, with our jails acting as de facto mental institutions.
At last, we have the prospect of a meaningful new resource to help some of the most vulnerable residents among us. The CARE Court could help people like Deborah and her sister, Becky.
We met Deborah a few months ago and she told us Becky’s story. Becky suffered from severe mental health issues. Deborah tried for years to gain conservatorship of her sister under our current laws, but was unsuccessful. Becky’s living situation deteriorated as her mental health declined. Deborah stood by helplessly, watching her sister’s life spiral out of control despite every attempt at getting her the help she so deeply needed. Becky ultimately took her own life while living out of a tent on the street. Deborah started a nonprofit, called Project Becky in honor of sister, to help other families who have exhausted all efforts to get help for their loved ones.
Becky resisted every attempt at assistance with the resources at our current disposal. But now, with the CARE Court, the state can provide new tools and new hope.
The court would offer support and structure to Becky and the hundreds like her in cities all over California. Those who entered the program would receive a court-supervised care plan for up to 12 months. Treatment, which could be extended for a second 12 months if needed, might include stabilization medications, links to recovery services, and a housing plan.
Here’s why this model would be a game-changer: Requests for court-supervised treatment could be made by communitybased social service providers, behavioral health providers, first responders — and most importantly, families desperate to help their loved ones.
The CARE Court would consider each case individually, relying on clinical assessments to assemble a support team and draft a care plan for those diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and so incapacitated that they cannot make rational choices about their own care.
Despite concerns from critics, the program would not intrude on civil liberties. On the contrary, the CARE Court would help the gravely mentally ill before they faced far more restrictive alternatives such as jail or a mental-health conservatorship.
Even when homeless people who suffer with mental illness want help, the process is confusing and filled with pitfalls. The CARE Court would furnish guardrails for these individuals and ensure consistent support.
At some point several decades ago, we thought it would be more humane to let those suffering from mental illness get care on their own outside of mental institutions. Now, with tens of thousands of people sleeping on California’s streets, it’s clear that we need a new approach to housing and treating our mentally ill.
Please go to findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov to contact your legislators today and ask them to enact the CARE Court framework.
For more information on CARE Court, go to chhs.ca.gov/ care-court/