Today Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new framework for providing community-based care and support for Californians struggling with severe mental health and substance use disorders. Called “Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court,” the proposal would create a new mental health role for civil courts in all California counties.
During a news conference in Santa Clara County this morning, the governor outlined the plan.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly highlighted the paradigm shift that this represents. Rather than tweaking current systems, this approach provides a new path for people to receive care.
- Governor Gavin Newsom reinforced the historic investments in behavioral health and housing that have been implemented during his administration, including $12 billion in funds to bring people out of homelessness.
More about the CARE Court plan can be found here.
Steinberg Institute Chief Executive Officer Karen Larsen released the following statement in response to today’s announcement:
“Today’s announcement is a huge step forward for California’s most vulnerable citizens. Too many people are suffering on our streets, in our jails, and in California’s hospitals. We applaud Governor Newsom and Secretary Ghaly for continuing to look for ways to serve the most ill among us and their acknowledgment that housing is healthcare. We look forward to working with them as they develop the CARE Court framework.”