Imagine stepping outside into the record breaking heat and the cold winters of California with only the clothes on your back, change in your pocket and the realization that the sidewalks are now your new home.
Especially for the homeless suffering with mental illness, the journey back to stable living can be treacherous.
Which is why the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act is the first of its kind that will provide service to any individual who is currently both homeless and suffering from mental illness issues such as schizophrenia or even bipolar disorder to name a few.
This will ensure that individuals who are homeless and suffer from mental health disorder get the care and services
that they need. Governor Gavin Newsom on March 22 signed his proposal of the CARE Act at Santa Clara County California.
Along with other families, service providers and local leaders.
The fact that both Assembly and Senate approved this back in Aug. of last year is a plus for individuals who
not only need care, but who are also unhoused.
During the signing of Governor Newsom’s proposal, Newsom explained the responsibilities of the California counties and the future timeline.
“It will take us now a year to begin the process of implementation. We have seven counties that are committing themselves to the first phase,” Newsom said. “Every county in the state of California will be responsible for implementing this program. We will start with counties large and small.”
With that being said, Governor Newsom also expressed his plans of funding the program and how the operation, if all goes to plan, should work in phases.
“The first phase will be supported by start-up grants of about $63 million, the courts will receive some of those funds,” said Newsom. “The counties that are part of the pilot program will receive the funds first. This is all unprecedented support for housing, support for a spectrum of services through our $14.7 billion homeless proposal package,$11.6 million of community behavioral for health resources.”
Governor Gavin Newsom said that $1.4 billion will be used for workforce development to train social workers, counselors and staff.
“This is unprecedented support that we are committing to over the next few years to make this program work,” said Governor Newsom.
How exactly the program will work is a question that has been raised by many, as receiving treatment when needed is something anyone will take. This plan can be a step in the right direction in terms of addressing homelessness, as well as the high cost of the mental health systems.
An article from CapRadio by columnist Chris Nichols titled “Here’s what we know so far about Newsom’s Care Court proposal” explained, “Care Court would be a referral-based program. It would allow first responders, law enforcement, behavioral health providers and family members to refer people struggling with addiction and mental illness”
It is further elaborated that a judge will be able to appoint the person referred to a public defender and be ordered a clinical evaluation to find out if they meet the criteria for the program. A ‘CARE Plan’ can be ordered if they meet the requirements, which will provide a 12 month outline of a treatment plan with medication.
According to Nicholas, “The plan would be developed by county behavioral health specialists, the participant and a newly established position called a “supporter,” who would help the participant understand, consider and communicate decisions, giving them the tolls to make self- directed choices to the greatest extent possible.”
It is also worth mentioning that in order to guarantee treatment, the judge can also go ahead and extend treatment by an additional 12 months after reviewing the plan.
“The program would include what the Newsom administration calls “a housing plan” for participants who need it.
But it would be up to the judge
to order a local government to provide housing, as not all participants are expected to be homeless.” said Nichols
It’s clear as daylight that there is a heartbreaking crisis here in California and especially in Los Angeles. You are left to wonder if the City of Angels was named so out of irony.
“The rest of the state, including the remaining Bay Area counties, must follow by Dec 1. 2024. The state estimates between about 7,000 and 12,000 Californians would be eligible for CARE court. Newsom set aside
$63 million to help countries roll out the new system” said Marisa Kendall, Mercy News reporter.
In terms of allocating that money as efficiently and effectively, Newsom does indeed have a plan to do so, which can help with another issue, which would be the state’s shortage of mental health workers.
Apart from the $63 million that will be given to the first counties to
implement the program.
“Newsom set aside $1.4 billion to hire, train and retain new social workers, counselors and other employees in an effort to fight the state’s shortage of mental health workers. Last year, he funded $12 billion into housing and services for homeless Californians and those at risk of losing their homes.” said Kendall.
Everyone should be treated equally regardless of what you look like, where you come from, or what you’ve done.
