The CARE Court will build on Marin’s system of care for people with serious mental illnesses.
Marin County is set to launch an initiative aimed at delivering critical mental health, housing and supportive services to residents suffering from schizophrenia and other severe psychotic disorders.
The new CARE Court—named for the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, approved last year by the state legislature—will provide structured, court-ordered care plans for individuals with untreated serious mental illness. The CARE Court is set to launch Dec. 1.
Under the purview of the county’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the court connects those experiencing untreated mental illness and, in many cases, homelessness and co-occurring substance use disorders, to behavioral health treatment through a court-ordered care plan. The plan can be in place for up to two years. Each participant will have access to a public defender and volunteer supporter to aid in making decisions about treatment.
The CARE Court program can be initiated by a family member, a behavioral health professional, first responder or the individual seeking assistance. “The proactive approach ensures those in need can access the necessary services and support as early as possible,” county officials said in an announcement of the program.
“CARE Court represents a new way of thinking about mental health intervention in Marin County,” said Michelle Funez, BHRS Division Director and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, in the announcement. “By focusing on a community-based framework, we are giving our residents the opportunity to stabilize and heal in an environment that supports their long-term recovery.”
For more information, contact 888-818-1115.
