Newsom Administration Faces Pushback Over Mental Health Court Implementation

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s push to expand access to mental health care through the state’s CARE Court system is encountering resistance from some counties, who argue the program’s focus on petition rates doesn’t reflect the full scope of their efforts. Although the Newsom administration highlights successes in some areas, others, like Santa Clara County, are facing scrutiny for lagging implementation.

CARE Court: A Statewide Initiative

Established by the California Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act in 2022 and fully implemented statewide on December 1, 2024, CARE Court aims to connect individuals experiencing psychotic disorders with court-ordered treatment and support [1]. The program is designed for adults with diagnoses like schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders who require supervision to function in society. As of January 1, 2026, the program expanded to include individuals diagnosed with bipolar I disorder with psychosis [2].

Accountability Measures and County Performance

On March 2, 2026, Governor Newsom announced new accountability measures and $291 million in funding to accelerate the adoption of CARE Court and expand supportive housing and behavioral health services [1]. Ten counties were designated as “CARE Champions” for leading the state in successful implementation, while ten others were placed on an “improvement” list. Santa Clara County was identified as needing improvement, alongside San Francisco and Los Angeles, and labeled as being in a “CARE Court ICU” [2].

Santa Clara County’s Response

As of December 2024, Santa Clara County had filed 53 applications with the Superior Court for individuals to access voluntary treatment under CARE Court supervision. However, county officials emphasize that petition numbers don’t fully represent their efforts to connect people with care. Since implementing the program, the county’s clinical outreach team has connected 66 individuals to treatment without requiring court intervention [2].

County leaders argue that Santa Clara County already has a robust system of mental health services, including a behavioral health court, residential treatment facilities, and a mobile mental health crisis program known as TRUST. They contend that the county’s holistic approach is more effective than solely focusing on CARE Court petitions [2]. James Williams, Santa Clara County Executive Officer, stated that progress would be accelerated by addressing funding gaps and expanding local solutions, rather than relying on a single scorecard [3].

Concerns Over Funding and Benchmarks

Several counties have voiced concerns that the state’s benchmarks for CARE Court success are arbitrary and don’t adequately address the complex challenges of providing mental health care. There are calls for more sustained funding, particularly as counties face budget shortfalls due to federal cuts [3]. Some officials believe the state should prioritize supporting proven local solutions rather than penalizing counties for not meeting specific petition targets.

Looking Ahead

The Santa Clara County Superior Court anticipates an increase in CARE Court petitions, potentially reaching 80 in 2026, nearly double the number filed in 2025 [2]. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of implementing a statewide mental health initiative and the need for collaboration between state and local governments to ensure effective and equitable access to care.