CARE Act

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act (opens in a new window)  authorizes specified adult persons to petition a civil court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan that can include treatment, housing support, and other services for persons with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Court Process

All cases will begin with a petition (form CARE-100). The form states who is eligible to be a petitioner.

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.

Respondents who meet the criteria will receive services for up to one year. At that point they may graduate from the program, remain in the program, or the Court may involuntarily reappoint them to the program. If they remain in the program, then they will receive services for up to one additional year.

Additional Resources

• Court Forms
  • These forms are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean
  • Form CARE-050-INFO (opens in a new window): Information for Petitioners—About the CARE Act 
  • Form CARE-060-INFO (opens in a new window): Information for Respondents—About the CARE Act 
  • Form CARE-100 (opens in a new window): Petition to Commence CARE Act Proceedings 
  • Form CARE-101 (opens in a new window): Mental Health Declaration—CARE Act Proceedings
• California Courts Overview 
  • 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
• CARE Act Resource Center (opens in a new window)
  • Contains information and trainings on topics in CARE Court
• Alpine County Behavioral Health Services (opens in a new window)