The Eureka City Council received an encouraging report on the effectiveness of the CARE Court in Humboldt County during a presentation on Tuesday evening. According to Jacob Rosen, Eureka’s managing mental health clinician, the implementation of CARE Court in the region has been notably successful, with Humboldt County achieving one of the highest referral volumes per capita among California counties. Since its launch, there have been a total of 55 referrals, and the program has already seen its first graduate since December 2024.
CARE Court is designed to provide mandatory, community-based treatment for individuals suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic conditions. During the meeting, Rosen emphasized the collaboration between local agencies and the state, highlighting that Eureka officials participated in discussions aimed at advocating for beneficial changes to the program. “We’re all able to do some great advocacy with the state on what changes might be beneficial and how CARE Court is operating,” he noted.
Despite the positive developments, Rosen pointed out that significant challenges remain. While minor adjustments were made to the CARE Court program last year, including changes to the referral process and eligibility criteria, a critical issue persists. “The system is largely unchanged,” Rosen stated. He pointed out that the current structure imposes an unfunded mandate on behavioral health departments across the state. According to Rosen, while there is some opportunity to bill for certain services, it does not adequately cover the costs associated with the intensive care required for these clients.
During the meeting, Councilmember G. Mario Fernandez raised concerns about the implications of insufficient funding for Eureka. Rosen explained that the Department of Health and Human Services currently allocates only one clinician and one case manager to handle the referrals. With 55 individuals referred to the program, the limited staff is inadequate to meet the demands of the clients. “Having two staff members is not sufficient for the level of intensity that’s needed,” he remarked.
Rosen also addressed ongoing issues within the CARE Court process, particularly regarding non-compliance among participants. “There’s still a lack of consequences for non-compliance,” he said. He explained that if individuals do not attend their hearings or comply with the program requirements over time, their cases may be dropped without any follow-up or consequences. This raises concerns about the overall effectiveness of the program in ensuring participants receive the necessary support.
In Humboldt County, the implications of non-participation can lead to serious evaluations regarding conservatorship. Many of these cases are subsequently referred to the Public Guardian for further action. Despite these challenges, Rosen underscored the importance of collaboration among various agencies in the region. “A huge factor of success has just been the collaboration amongst the county behavioral health department, the court systems, both the District Attorney and the public defender’s office, as well as county counsel and other agencies,” he concluded.
The ongoing efforts to streamline the CARE Court process have demonstrated a commitment to providing essential mental health services to those in need. As the program continues to evolve, the support from local officials and agencies will be crucial in addressing the challenges faced by participants and ensuring the program’s success.
