CARE Act Court
The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act seeks to provide community-based mental health and related services, support, and accountability for individuals living with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. The act aims to divert and prevent restrictive conservatorships or incarcerations through a court-ordered CARE plan or court-approved CARE agreement for up to 12 months that is initiated by filing a petition through the courts.
Court Process
Sacramento Superior Court will begin accepting CARE Act petitions beginning December 1, 2024.
All cases will begin with a petition (form CARE-100). The form states who is eligible to file a CARE-100 petition.
A judge will review the petition to determine if the petitioner made an initial showing that the respondent may meet the CARE criteria. After subsequent reports and hearings, a judge will decide if the respondent meets the criteria. If the parties reach an agreement or the court adopts a plan, then the court will hold review hearings.
CARE Act Court participants will receive services for up to one year. At that point they may graduate from the program, remain in it, or the court may involuntarily reappoint them to it. If participants remain in the program, then they will receive services for up to one additional year.
Court Forms - external link
These forms are available in English, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese
- CARE-050-INFO: Information for Petitioners—About the CARE Act
- CARE-060-INFO: Information for Respondents—About the CARE Act
- CARE-100: Petition to Commence CARE Act Proceedings
- CARE-101: Mental Health Declaration—CARE Act Proceedings
Additional Resources
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Sacramento County Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Program - external link
- Programs, services, and resources available through the Sacramento County Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Services Division
- CARE Act Program Fact Sheet - external link
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California Courts Overview - external link
- Includes instructions for completing and filing a petition
- Specifies who is eligible for CARE Court and which conditions are not eligible
- Specifies who can file a petition
- Contains additional resources available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean
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CARE Act Resource Center - external link
- Contains information and trainings on topics in CARE Court