San Diego County expected to have CARE Court by October 2023

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Care Court is coming to California’s counties.

Care Court is set up to address mental illness for people living on the streets, and San Diego is one of the first to implement it.

The state budgeted $26 million to be divided among the pilot county’s, San Diego being among them. Care Court was signed into law in September of 2022 by Governor Gavin Newsom.

It’s a care plan that includes recommended treatment, medication and housing.

The Care Court would allow family members, friends, first responders and behavioral health workers to be able to submit a petition to the court. The petition would report a person has an untreated psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.

In order to qualify the person must be 18-years-old, unlikely to survive without supervision, or be a threat to themselves or others.

The petition must also include an affidavit from a licensed health care professional who examined them, or proof the person was recently detained under intensive treatment.

KUSI’s Teresa Sardina details how Care Court can help address the mental health issues being suffered by those living on our streets.