SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed CARE Court plan for treating the portion of the state's population suffering from mental illness has come up against opposition from disability rights advocates.
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Groups have voiced their opposition to the plan, hinging in particular on concern about patients' civil rights and people being forced into treatment.
But one East Bay group does firmly support CARE Court – Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill.
CARE Court stands for Community Assistance, Recover and Empowerment, and was announced earlier this year as a measure to help get more people the care and support they need for their mental health.
The plan specifically targets those most severely impacted, who may also be experiencing homelessness and are struggling to access job opportunities or necessary medication.
"People don't recognize people are really, very seriously mentally ill," said a member of the Alameda County Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill, Alison Monroe. "And need help whether or not they come forward and ask for it."
According to Monroe, the opposition to CARE Court doesn't take into account these needs, the needs of people's loved ones.
"We are concerned, we want our kids kept alive and well," she said.
Under the plan, counties throughout the state would be required to provide a continuum of care, housing and wrap-around services, all tailored to individual patients' needs.
"Eventually we'll be able to move these very sick people off of the streets and in jail," she said. "Which is where a large number of them are basically at, right now."
The plan would connect an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 people to housing and behavioral health treatment.
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