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CARE Court

CARE Court

The Self-Help attorneys that provide assistance for CARE Court are available by email and voicemail and may also offer in-person or zoom appointments based on availability and need. 

To contact us:

All emails and calls will be returned as soon as possible, though response times may vary. Thank you for your patience.

What is the CARE Act?

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act is a program that aims to help connect people with untreated Schizophrenic Spectrum disorders with mental health and other community services, such as housing assistance, using the civil court process. The CARE Act process begins when a qualified individual or entity files a petition with the court seeking CARE Act services on behalf of someone they believe needs help. The person or entity who files the petition with the court is called the “Petitioner.” The person for whom the petition is filed is called the “Respondent.” The court may hold hearings and request that the county’s behavioral health agency make assessments to help it determine whether the respondent meets eligibility requirements for the program.

For more information on the CARE Act and who is eligible to participate, please click here: CARE Act

How do I start the CARE Court process?

If you are a Licensed Behavioral Health Professional - you may use the Petition to Begin CARE Act Proceedings by Licensed Behavioral Health Professional Only (CARE-102) to ask a court to start CARE Act proceedings on behalf of someone.

If you are an individual who is not a Licensed Behavioral Health Professional, you must fill out the Petition to Commence CARE Act Proceedings (form CARE-100) and one of the following:

  • Mental Health Declaration (form CARE-101), or
  • Provide evidence that respondent was detained for at least two periods of intensive treatment, the most recent period within the past 60 days. Examples of evidence: a copy of the certification of intensive treatment, a declaration from a witness to the intensive treatment, or other documentation indicating involuntary detention and certification for up to 14 days of intensive treatment.

The CARE-100 and CARE-101 forms are also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean:

Spanish:

Chinese:

Vietnamese:

Korean:

How Can I Get Help?

Self-Help Center staff are available to answer procedural questions about the CARE Act process, forms, and explain legal options. Self-Help Center staff can help by:

  • Providing information related to the CARE Act process and its requirements.
  • Providing forms and sample packets to help you complete your petition and related forms.
  • Reviewing completed court forms before you file them.
  • Providing referrals to community resources.

Self-Help Disclaimer

  • The Self-Help attorneys are available to help both parties with questions on various issues. While we can help you in preparing your own forms and can give you general information, we cannot go with you to court.
  • The Self-Help attorneys are NOT YOUR LAWYER. They are a neutral person who does not represent either party. There is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Self-Help attorneys.
  • The Self-Help attorneys can provide legal assistance and procedural information to help you represent yourself but cannot give legal advice. Legal advice includes, but is not limited to, help with legal research, personalized strategy, and interpreting your court orders.
  • The Self-Help attorneys may provide information and services to the other parties in your case.
  • Communication between you and the Self-Help attorneys are not confidential. You should consult your own attorney if you want personalized advice or strategy, to have a confidential conversation, or to be represented by an attorney in court.
  • The Self-Help attorneys are not responsible for the outcome of your case.

Guided Forms Assistance

You can also use a Guided Interview Program to help you prepare your forms. After you have finished answering the questions, the program will generate your forms which you can print or save as an electronic file. The program is free and allows you to create an account to save your work.