San Francisco One Of The First Counties To Have CARE Court. Here's How The Program Works

CBS San Francisco

September 28, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO — California has taken a significant step to address the ongoing mental health crisis with the launch of the CARE Act Court program.

Designed to provide early intervention and support for individuals suffering from severe symptoms of untreated mental illness, the program aims to prevent more restrictive measures such as conservatorships or incarceration.

Judge Michael Begert, who presides over all CARE Act Court matters at the Superior Court on Polk Street, explains, "One major change is that a lot of different people can file a petition under this new law. It used to be that the decision to bring someone to court to address their mental health issues was in the criminal system, the District Attorney, the conservator, the department of public health."

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