Silicon Valley families say CARE Court has failed them - San Jose Spotlight

"I was very angry with the Legislature, with Gov. Newsom for not having the foresight to see basic assumptions that people are going to want treatment (is) not reality. The biggest problem is there is no teeth in CARE Court. It's not everyone's right to die on the street, and that's very well what might happen to my son."

"With the emphasis on voluntary treatment, and stringent requirements to be considered for the program including two periods of intensive treatment in the last 60 days in lieu of a clinician's approval, the rules ultimately prevented CARE Court from serving the population it was meant to help."

Santa Clara County's CARE Court, a state-mandated program launched over a year ago to treat people with severe mental illness, has disappointed families who expected involuntary treatment options. Originally proposed by Governor Newsom as a solution for thousands struggling with serious mental illness, the program was modified by the Legislature to prioritize voluntary treatment instead. Stringent requirements, including two periods of intensive treatment within 60 days and clinician approval, have prevented the program from serving its intended population. Families report the system lacks enforcement mechanisms to help individuals resistant to treatment. Recently, Senate Bill 27 expanded eligibility to include bipolar I disorder with psychosis, effective January 1, though concerns remain about the program's effectiveness.

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