Merced mayor: CARE Court idea will help people with mental illness, drug challenges

California faces a mental health and substance abuse crisis. There is no more visible manifestation of this crisis than the homelessness epidemic.

Without systematic changes from Sacramento, family members will continue to watch their loved ones slip away, homeless persons will continue to cycle in and out of the system, and police departments, emergency medical services, fire departments, shelters, parks, and public spaces will continue to bear the brunt of California’s mental health and substance abuse crisis.

I join my colleagues of the bipartisan Big City Mayor coalition, representing California’s largest cities, in unanimously supporting the CARE Court proposal — SB 1338.

CARE Court connects a person struggling with untreated mental illness and substance-use challenges with a court-ordered care plan for up to 24 months. Each plan is managed by a care team in the community and can include clinically prescribed, individualized interventions with supportive services, medication and housing plans.

The client-centered approach also includes a public defender and supporter to help make self-directed care decisions informed by a clinical team, and opportunities for early engagement and settlement agreements for treatment plans.

CARE Court would allow people to refer persons with severe mental illness or substance-abuse disorders, who are often homeless, to be prioritized and required to participate in treatment through a court-ordered care plan.

The plan also creates accountability measures in providing mental health services for those who need them most.

The status quo is unacceptable. We all watch as people succumb to severe mental health and substance-abuse issues on the street. Meanwhile, our businesses, residents, and property fall victim as well.

SB 1338’s CARE Court plan of treatment, housing, and a court-ordered response is a step in the right direction.