California’s San Mateo County Launches CARE Court For People With SMI  

San Mateo County, California, recently launched a new CARE Court program. CARE Court connects an individual with serious mental illness (SMI) with a court-ordered outpatient care plan for up to 24 months. ;

The program began July 1, 2024. California’s Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act has a goal of ending cyclical homelessness, short-term psychiatric hospitalization, and incarceration for those with untreated SMI. Each consumer’s care plan is managed by a care team and can include clinically prescribed, individualized interventions including supportive services, medication, and a housing plan. ;

The program also involves a public . . .