State and Local Leaders Convene to Strengthen CARE Act Implementation in San Bernardino County

What you need to know: State, county and local partners are coming together to strengthen implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, one component of a larger effort to transform California’s behavioral health system. Through training, outreach and close collaboration, partners are connecting Californians in need with critical behavioral health services and support across San Bernardino County’s High Desert region.

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Leaders from the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), San Bernardino County, and the City of Victorville convened last week at Victorville City Hall to strengthen implementation of the CARE Act, underscoring a shared commitment to building stronger pathways to behavioral health treatment and services in San Bernardino County.

The CARE Act is a new tool within the continuum of California’s behavioral health system, the landmark program that is making meaningful strides in building stronger pathways to care for Californians. The convening on CARE brought together state, county and local partners to provide training on the CARE Act process, increase awareness of available resources, and strengthen coordinated referral pathways for eligible individuals and families. The training also highlighted the importance of  multi-agency partnerships in connecting people to long-term recovery supports as California continues to accelerate CARE Act implementation statewide.

“CARE Act implementation is gaining momentum statewide,” said Stephanie Welch, CalHHS Deputy Secretary of Behavioral Health. “Across California, we are seeing state, county, city and community partners come together in new ways, making meaningful progress in strengthening the systems of support that help individuals and families connect to CARE and access services they need.”

CARE is Building Pathways to Support in San Bernardino County

The CARE Act provides the least restrictive structured pathway to connect eligible participants suffering from untreated or undertreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders with behavioral health treatment, housing support and recovery services. The CARE Act process begins with a petition to determine eligibility, which can be submitted by a family member, first responder or mental health professional. Eligible participants are connected with a team of providers under the guidance of a civil court judge to ensure the participant’s success. In San Bernardino County, CARE Act petitions are filed through the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) plays a key role in supporting eligible individuals and connecting them to appropriate services and supports.

“San Bernardino County (DBH) is committed to partnering with state, court, city and community partners to support successful CARE Act implementation,” said Dr. Alyce Belford-Saldana, Deputy Director, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health. “Training opportunities like this help ensure our partners understand the process, know where to turn for support, and can help connect eligible individuals to the services they need.”

“The City of Victorville was proud to host this important training at City Hall,” said Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra.  “We are taking the initiative to ensure our community and local service providers are aware of the CARE Act and its importance in addressing behavioral health needs, especially for unhoused residents.”“

The July 7 convening reflects a shared commitment by the state, San Bernardino County and the City of Victorville to support public education, implementation readiness and collaboration across the region.

CARE Act Implementation Continues to Gain Momentum in San Bernardino County

To continue supporting community awareness as implementation gains momentum, the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) will host a public CARE Act Information Session virtually on Wednesday, July 15, from noon to 1 p.m. The information session is open to community members, family members, service providers and community partners and will provide an overview of the CARE Act, eligibility, available resources and what to expect during future CARE Act office hours.

DBH will also host a virtual CARE Act Office Hour on Thursday, July 30, from noon to 1 p.m. The office hour will offer a welcoming space for attendees to ask questions, receive updates and learn more about CARE Act implementation in San Bernardino County.

Learn more about CARE in San Bernardino County at the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health website.

For questions about CARE Act process, contact DBH-CAREQuestions@dbh.sbcounty.gov.

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