Care Act Celebrates 11 New Graduates

October 22, 2025

San Diego County's Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act program is demonstrating growing success as it reaches its two-year anniversary. The voluntary treatment program for adults with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders has expanded from 71 CARE agreements in its first year to 149 agreements currently, with a total of 23 participants graduating, including 11 in a recent single-day celebration. The program enables participants to actively create their own recovery plans for mental health treatment and housing support through collaboration between County Behavioral Health Services, the Public Defender's Office, Superior Court, and other partners.

Who is affected

Adults 18 and older living with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
Program participants (149 with CARE Agreements)
Program graduates (23 total, including 11 recent graduates)
San Diego County residents

What action is being taken

The CARE Act program is enrolling participants in San Diego County
Participants are creating their own CARE agreements and recovery plans
County Behavioral Health Services, Public Defender's Office, Superior Court and other partners are collaborating to implement the program
Graduation ceremonies are being held to celebrate participant success

Why it matters

The program provides mental health treatment and housing support to vulnerable adults
The growing number of CARE agreements (from 71 to 149) indicates expanded reach
The graduation of 23 participants demonstrates the program's effectiveness
The program represents a collaborative approach among multiple county agencies
Participants take an active role in their own recovery through creating personalized agreements

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint