The Governor of California named, Gavin Newsom disclosed the most awaited proposal to mention that the mental health epidemic is rising obviously on trash-strewn sidewalks and in crowded jail cells across California.
The proposal is known as the Community Assistance, the Recovery and the Empowerment (or CARE) court, would give a framework for courts to compel individuals with severe mental conditions as well as substance use disorders into the treatment, while also providing the participants with the supportive housing and wrap-around services.
Along with this, Newsom mentioned during the press conference to initiate the new plan, “This is a completely new strategy. And I hope that creates a space for a different conversation than we have had in the past.”
Moreover, the administration officials mentioned all of the 58 nations would be needed to give their participation in the program, which is currently just a policy framework and still required to be approved by the Legislature. The nations could face penalties for failing to give requisite services.
It is considered one of the several details that distinguish this proposal from Laura’s Law, which also entails court-ordered treatment but permits nations to make the decision whether they want to participate. Newsom highlighted that, in one year, only 218 people were served by Laura’s Law. The Newsom-led administration estimates that the CARE Court program could serve between 7,000 and 12,000 California citizens.
The Administration officials mentioned that the new proposal is different because of the resources it comes from. On the other hand, it builds on a $12 billion allocation to address homelessness last year and the additional $2 billion in the current year.
Furthermore, the individuals could come into the program through short-term involuntary health care centre stays, which are also known as “5150s”, through the criminal justice system or at the recommendation of family members, the mental health providers of the first responders with others. The people who want to participate first need to be homeless first.
