PDF OF STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2022

Contact: Farrah McDaid Ting, Director of Public Affairs & Member Services

Call or Text: (916) 595-7360 | Email: fmcting@counties.org

Counties poised to implement CARE Courts and urge development of a comprehensive solution to the homelessness crisis
 

Sacramento, CA – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive Director Graham Knaus today issued the following statement on Governor Newsom’s signing of Senate Bill 1338 (Umberg), which creates the new Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.

“California’s counties look forward to forging a successful programmatic and fiscally sustainable path for CARE Courts. Implementing an effective program is especially important for the CARE Court respondents who opt to participate.”

“California’s counties shoulder the most critical roles for the Governor’s new CARE Court Program, including county behavioral health, public guardians and conservators, and public defenders. Counties will be provided with one-time start-up and implementation funding to undertake this work, for which we are grateful.”

“We cannot lose sight of the larger homelessness crisis in California. Almost 200,000 people are without a home on any given day in the state, with many more experiencing chronic housing instability. The innovative model promised under CARE Courts creates an important tool for the roughly 10,000 individuals that may be served. As we work to make CARE Court successful, we must also focus on the tens of thousands of unsheltered people living — and far too often dying — on our streets by developing a comprehensive solution to homelessness.”

“Counties recognize this larger crisis and stand ready to boldly craft sustainable solutions. This means aligning county, city, regional and state efforts and resources to create shared goals, clear lines of responsibility, thoughtful outcomes, and strong accountability measures.”

“We also recognize that homelessness is the most complex issue of our time. The cost and availability of housing, skyrocketing behavioral health needs and vehement localized resistance to siting shelters, housing, and facilities represent some of the challenges. But a crisis of this magnitude compels us to cast aside differences, opinions and history to seek a collaborative and cogent solution.”

“Counties thank the Governor and Legislature for their partnership and ongoing commitment to address homelessness over the past four years. Now we need roll up our sleeves to jointly develop a comprehensive system to urgently and holistically address homelessness.”

California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level. Find out more at www.counties.org.