Get ready for a heated debate, folks! Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a stand, threatening to cut funding for counties that aren't on board with his ambitious mental health initiative. But here's the catch: some counties are fighting back, claiming they're doing just fine. And this is where it gets controversial...
Newsom's signature program, CARE Court, aims to get Californians with severe mental illness the help they need. It's a bold move, but not without its challenges. Ten counties, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, are in the governor's crosshairs for allegedly falling short.
"I'm redirecting funds to counties that are getting things done!" Newsom declared. But these counties aren't going down without a fight. Orange County, for instance, insists it's fully utilizing the CARE intervention.
CARE Court launched in 2023, and by 2024, it was statewide. The idea? To help the most vulnerable, those struggling with psychosis and homelessness. But here's the part most people miss: a CalMatters investigation revealed the program has fallen short of expectations. Fewer Californians have benefited, and many families are disappointed.
As of January, the state received over 3,800 petitions, but judges approved just under 900 treatment agreements. Only 32 people were ordered into CARE plans. Newsom's administration initially estimated 7,000 to 12,000 would qualify.
But there's a silver lining: some counties, like Alameda and Santa Barbara, are CARE Court champions. Newsom highlighted their success, speaking from an under-construction mental health campus in Alameda.
"Leadership matters!" he exclaimed.
The administration ranked counties based on CARE Court petitions per capita, but this data doesn't tell the whole story. It overlooks important factors like treatment agreements and graduations. San Diego, for example, had the most graduations but didn't make the champion list.
Newsom promised extra support for counties on his "CARE ICU" list, but didn't specify what that entails. San Francisco, on that list, welcomes state support to strengthen its program.
Orange County, with 79 participants in treatment and housing, argues it's not about the number of petitions, but the impact of the services provided.
Newsom didn't reveal specific funding risks, but hinted at new money for CARE Court support programs, including $131.8 million for substance use and mental health housing.
The administration invited success stories from counties like Alameda, showcasing their progress.
"We've seen incredible transformations," Judge Sandra Bean shared.
So, who's right? Is Newsom's threat justified, or are these counties doing enough? The debate is on! What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
