CARE Court
What is CARE Court?
The Community, Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act 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 untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
When does it begin?
The CARE Act took effect on January 1, 2023, and was implemented in a phased-in approach, with counties separated into two cohorts. Merced County is part of Cohort 2 and began accepting petitions on December 2, 2024.
CARE Court Eligibility
The CARE Act is for people with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders and provides a less restrictive alternative to state hospitalization or an involuntary conservatorship.
To be eligible, a person must meet the following criteria:
- Is 18 years of age or older.
- Is currently experiencing a severe mental illness, specifically schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 5600.3 of the Healthy and Safety Code.
- Is not clinically stabilized in on-going voluntary treatment.
- At least one of the following is true:
- The person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision and the person's condition is substantially deteriorating OR
- The person is in need of services and supports in order to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would be likely to result in grave disability or serious harm to the person or others, as defined in Section 5150 of the Healthy and Safety Code.
- Participation in a CARE plan or CARE agreement would be the least restrictive alternative necessary to ensure the person's recovery and stability.
- It is likely that the person will benefit from participation in a CARE plan or CARE agreement.
For further information on CARE Court eligibility, click here.
Where to File?
Petitions are accepted at the Civil Clerk's Office in Merced and the Clerk's Office in Los Banos. Petitions may also be submitted by efile.
Where to attend court?
CARE Act proceedings will be heard in Courtroom 10 on Fridays at 1:30pm unless otherwise ordered by a judicial officer.
Where can I find information?
California Courts CARE Act Self Help Center