Community Assistance Recovery Empowerment (CARE) Act

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The CARE Act creates a new pathway to access mental health and substance use disorder treatment and support services to eligible individuals who have untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders who must meet other eligibility criteria. Care Court is a civil court process and is accessed for the individual when a petitioner files a petition at the Yolo County self-help center. The goal of the CARE Act is to provide services upstream, prior to further hospitalization, incarceration, or conservatorship.

WHO DOES THIS PROGRAM SERVE?

Adults, 18 years or older.
Diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum or other related psychotic disorders.
Experiencing behaviors and symptoms associated with severe mental illness.
Not clinically stabilized in on-going voluntary treatment.
At least one of the following:
- Unlikely to survive safely without supervision and condition is substantially deteriorating.
- Needs Services & supports to prevent relapse or deterioration, leading to grave disability or harm to others.
Participation in CARE Plan or Agreement is the least restrictive alternative.
Likely to benefit from participating in a CARE Plan or Agreement.

WHO CAN PETITION?

1. Family/Home

Persons with whom respondent resides.
Spouse, parent, sibling, adult child, grandparents, or another individual in place of a parent.
Respondent (i.e., self-petition).

2. County

County behavioral health director, or designee.
Public Guardian or designee.
Director of adult protective services or designee.

3. Tribal Jurisdiction

Director of a California Indian health services program, California tribal behavioral health department, or designee.
Judge of a tribal court located in CA, or designee.

4. Community

First responder (e.g., firefighter, paramedic, mobile crisis response, homeless outreach worker) with firsthand experience with the individual.
Director of a Hospital, or designee, in which the respondent is hospitalized.
Licensed behavioral health professional, or designee treating respondent for mental illness.
Director of a public /charitable organization providing behavioral health services or whose institution respondent resides.

HOW TO FILE A PETITION

Complete petition (CARE100) and remember to fill out ALL requested information.
Mental Health Declaration Form CARE-101 OR evidence that the respondent was detained for a minimum of TWO periods of intensive treatment (WIC, 5250 holds), and most recent episode within the last 60 days. This form may be filed with the CARE-100 form
Gather all the required documentation.
Visit an Yolo Court self-help location to file the petition. Or E-File the petition at File At Home | Superior Court of California | County of Yolo.

RESOURCES

California Department of Human Services: For more information about the CARE Act, please visit https://www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act/

California Courts: For more information about Adult Civil Mental Health, please visit https://www.courts.ca.gov/48654.htm

CARE Act Resource Center (Home - CARE Act Resource Center - CARE Act Resource Center)

Please contact the Yolo County Courts self-help center page about Care Court by using the following link: https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/care-court

Superior Court of CA – County of Yolo: Visit www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/care-court

Court Forms can be accessed at: www.courts.ca.gov/allforms.htm

You can contact us at Yolo County HHSA Behavioral Health Email : HHSA.CAREACT@yolocounty.gov