Newsom Praises Alameda's CARE Court Program

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, signed into law in 2022, established a new civil court process for individuals with severe mental illness, primarily those with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. The program, which rolled out to all 58 California counties by December 2024, allows family members, first responders, and clinicians to petition a court to create a voluntary or court-ordered care plan for an individual in crisis. These plans can include housing, medication, and other support services for up to 24 months. Governor Newsom's praise for Alameda County stems from its designation as a "CARE Champion," a recognition for counties with the highest rates of petitions per capita. Under the leadership of Judge Sandra Bean, who oversees the county's CARE Court, Alameda has been highlighted as a model for proactive implementation. One key component of its approach is the Bay Area Community Services (BACS) – Regis Village Campus in Hayward, a state-funded facility that will provide housing and comprehensive services for CARE Court participants. In contrast, Santa Clara County was named one of 10 "underperforming" counties, placed on a "CARE ICU" (Improvement and Coordination Unit) list to receive additional state support. The governor's criticism is based on these counties having the lowest rates of CARE Court petitions per 100,000 residents. Governor Newsom has threatened to redirect funding from these lower-performing counties to those that are seeing more success with the program. Even before the program's launch, some Santa Clara County officials expressed concerns about the unfunded mandates of the CARE Act. Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, in 2022, pointed to the need for more housing and a larger behavioral health workforce rather than a new court system. More recently, in February 2026, county officials highlighted that some state-mandated programs like CARE Court receive no dedicated state funding, creating financial strain. The governor's office initially projected that 7,000 to 12,000 people would be served by CARE Court statewide. However, as of January 2026, there have been 3,817 petitions filed across California, resulting in 893 treatment agreements. The statewide rollout has faced challenges, including what some critics call high barriers to entry and a slow start. In response to criticisms of local implementation, the California State Association of Counties has stated that counties are following the law as it is written. While Alameda County has been lauded for its progress, with officials citing a drop in homelessness for the first time in a decade, the overall effectiveness and impact of the CARE Court system continue to be debated across the state. The program represents a significant shift in California's approach to mental healthcare, moving toward a more structured and accountable framework for connecting individuals with critical services.