Publication

CARE Court Implementation: Identifying Core Practices

Apr 28, 2025

CARE Court Practices Overview

  • Leadership in Non-Adversarial Cross-Agency Collaboration

  • Accessible and Transparent Petition Processes

  • Stable Housing with Supportive Service Connections

  • Individualized Client Engagement and Accountability

  • Qualitative and Quantitative Data Collection for Program Outcomes and Adjustments

As the need to connect individuals to comprehensive mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services continues to grow, California has launched an innovative framework to help those who need these services the most. The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court is a voluntary program designed to support people with serious mental health challenges, many of whom are unhoused.

The Center for Justice Innovation teamed up with the California Health Care Foundation to hear how CARE Courts work in Glenn, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Counties. Insights from these conversations are the foundation of this guide, created to help other counties effectively plan and implement CARE Court in their communities.

The five core practices from Cohort One serve as helpful guideposts for Cohort Two counties, allowing them to design CARE Court programs that meet each community’s unique needs while building on what works well for Cohort One.