5/15 | CARE Court Update

CARE Court Update 

May 15, 2024 | 3-4:15pm PST

On October 1st, 2023, San Francisco launched its Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment program, known as CARE Court. This state-mandated court is designed to get people with mental health and substance abuse disorders the support and care they need. In the next few months, additional counties will prepare to launch their CARE Court programs. 

The LSFN invites you to join us for an update from the three providers involved in San Francisco’s CARE Court program to hear about:

• What is the criteria for participating in CARE Court? 
• How does CARE Court differ from conservatorships, Laura’s Law and other types of actions (such as short-term involuntary holds)?
• How many people have been referred so far? What do the demographics look like? Who is initiating proceedings? 
• What type of representation is being provided? How are clients assigned?
• What measures are being taken, such as the creation of Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) to assure that clients are able to make self-directed choices?
• When, where and how are proceedings taking place? What are the timelines?
• What types of “orders” are being issued? And how are they being enforced?
• What happens if a person does not successfully complete their court-ordered CARE plan?
• What happens if a local government does not provide services identified in the court-ordered CARE plan?

Presenting Organizations

• Justice & Diversity Center 
• Legal Assistance to the Elderly 
• San Francisco Public Defender

Moderator

• Claire Solot,  Managing Director, Bigglesworth Family Foundation

Regularly, the LSFN will host programs to facilitate funder-specific discussions around the ways in which COVID-19 is impacting the populations served by legal services organizations, and the legal aid organizations themselves.  Additionally, we'll discuss legislation being considered to help highly impacted communities, provide information on helpful tools, and explore strategies for funders and advocates to support those most affected.