Councilwoman Traci Park Calls for Los Angeles To Play Active Role in CARE Court
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 25, 2023) – Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park called for a clear timeline and plan for the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court program in a motion presented to the City Council on Tuesday.
The program, approved by Governor Newsom under SB1228, and administered by the County of Los Angeles, aims to provide a court-ordered CARE plan for up to 24 months to connect people struggling with untreated mental illness and addiction who are vulnerable to homelessness.
“CARE Court is a strategy for addressing the serious problem of mental illness and substance use disorder on the Westside and across the City of Los Angeles,” said Councilwoman Park. “The City stands ready to work with our County partners on CARE’s successful implementation.”
About 25 percent of all homeless adults in LA County have severe mental illnesses, such as psychotic disorders and schizophrenia, as reported by the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) in 2022.
Under the CARE Court program, individuals suffering from serious mental illness and substance use disorders can be referred by families, clinicians, first responders, and others.
With Los Angeles County facing a January 2024 deadline to implement its CARE Court, Councilwoman Park is asking for City Departments to report on the City’s immediate and long-term role in the CARE Court program. She emphasized the need to ensure that the City is prepared to support the CARE Court program and the individuals it will serve.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues and community partners to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support Angelenos’ mental health and well-being. CARE Court will be an essential tool in addressing severe mental illness and addiction, which are contributing to the homelessness crisis across Los Angeles,” said Park.
