The California CARE Act is designed to provide a new pathway for individuals with severe mental illness to receive the support and treatment they need. Initiating CARE Act proceedings starts with a petition, and understanding who is eligible to file this petition is crucial, especially when seeking a Care Program San Diego. This article breaks down the categories of individuals who can request CARE Act proceedings for someone in need within the San Diego area. Knowing these criteria is the first step in helping a loved one access the care program san diego offers.
Categories of Individuals Eligible to Petition for CARE Act Proceedings in San Diego
The law specifies several categories of people who are authorized to file a petition. These categories ensure that individuals close to the person in need, as well as professionals and agencies involved in their care, can initiate the process for a care program san diego. Below are the detailed categories:
Individuals with Close Personal Relationships
Those who have close personal ties to the person needing assistance are prioritized to start CARE Act proceedings. This ensures that those who are most familiar with the individual’s situation can advocate for them to receive appropriate care program san diego services. This category includes:
- Cohabitants: Anyone who lives with the individual in need.
- Family Members: This encompasses a broad range of familial relationships, including:
- Spouse or registered domestic partner
- Parent
- Sibling
- Child
- Grandparent
- Individuals in Loco Parentis: Someone who stands in the place of a parent to the individual.
Professionals and Agencies Involved in Care
Professionals and agencies that have been actively involved in the care or recent treatment of an individual are also empowered to petition. This recognizes their expertise and direct observation of the person’s needs, making them key advocates for accessing a care program san diego. This category includes:
- Hospital Directors (or Designees): Directors of hospitals, or their appointed representatives, particularly if the individual is currently or was recently hospitalized.
- Public or Charitable Agency Directors (or Designees): Directors from public or charitable agencies who have recently (within the last 30 days) provided behavioral health services or housing to the individual, or are currently doing so.
- Licensed Behavioral Health Professionals (or Designees): Licensed professionals supervising or treating the individual for mental illness within the last 30 days, or their designees.
- County Behavioral Health Agency Directors (or Designees): Directors of the county behavioral health agency in San Diego, or their designees, especially relevant for accessing a care program san diego.
- Tribal Court Judges (or Designees): Judges of a tribal court located in California, or their designees.
- Adult Protective Services Directors (or Designees): Directors of adult protective services in San Diego County, or their designees.
- California Indian Health Services or Tribal Behavioral Health Department Directors (or Designees): Directors from these programs or departments, or their designees.
First Responders and Public Safety Personnel
First responders who frequently interact with individuals in mental health crises are also recognized as crucial in initiating CARE Act proceedings to connect individuals with a care program san diego. This category includes:
- First Responders: This is a comprehensive category including:
- Peace officers
- Firefighters
- Paramedics
- Emergency medical technicians
- Mobile crisis response workers
- Homeless outreach workers
These individuals qualify if they have had repeated interactions with the person, such as multiple arrests, detentions under Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150, attempts to engage in voluntary treatment, or other efforts to provide professional assistance, all of which highlight the need for a care program san diego.
Public Guardians, Conservators, and the Individual Themselves
In certain circumstances, public guardians, conservators, and even the individual in need can initiate a petition. This provides a safety net for those who might not have others to petition on their behalf and ensures self-advocacy is possible when seeking a care program san diego. This category includes:
- Public Guardian or Public Conservator (or Designees): Of San Diego County, or a private court-appointed conservator under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, if referred from the LPS court.
- The Individual in Need (Respondent): The person who would be the respondent in the CARE Act proceedings can petition for themselves.
Conclusion: Accessing a CARE Program in San Diego
Understanding who can petition for CARE Act proceedings is the first step in accessing the vital support and treatment offered by a care program san diego. If you or someone you know in San Diego falls into any of these categories and needs help connecting a loved one with severe mental illness to appropriate care, initiating a petition may be a crucial step towards improving their well-being and ensuring they receive the necessary support within the care program san diego system.
