The Eureka City Council received an encouraging update on the local implementation of the **CARE Court** during a presentation on Tuesday evening. **Jacob Rosen**, the managing mental health clinician for Eureka, reported that Humboldt County has seen notable success in the program, which focuses on providing community-based mental health and substance use treatment for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders.
According to Rosen, Humboldt County leads the state with one of the highest referral volumes per capita. To date, there have been **55 referrals** to the CARE Court, with **one individual graduating from the program** since **December 2024**. “Humboldt County has been particularly successful with its CARE Court implementation,” Rosen stated, highlighting the collaborative efforts among local officials and state representatives to advocate for improvements in the program.
Changes have been made to the CARE Court process, including adjustments to the referral system and an expansion of eligibility criteria. Despite these advancements, Rosen expressed concerns about ongoing challenges. “The system is largely unchanged,” he noted. “Unfortunately, part of that unchanged portion is that it’s still largely an unfunded mandate on the behavioral health departments across the state.”
While there are opportunities for billing certain services, Rosen emphasized that they do not adequately cover the costs associated with the intensive care required for clients. The limited staffing levels in Eureka exacerbate these issues. Currently, there is just **one clinician** and **one case manager** handling the 55 referrals, a situation that Rosen described as insufficient for meeting the needs of the clients.
During the meeting, Councilmember **G. Mario Fernandez** raised questions about the implications of insufficient funding for the city. Rosen explained that the lack of resources hampers the department’s ability to effectively support the individuals referred to CARE Court. “Having two staff members is not sufficient for the level of intensity that’s needed to treat the folks who are referred for CARE Court,” he said.
Rosen also pointed out the need for improved responses to non-compliance among participants. He noted that if individuals do not attend their hearings, their cases are often dropped without significant consequences. This raises critical questions about ongoing evaluations of clients who may require conservatorship, many of whom are referred to the Public Guardian for further action.
Despite these challenges, Rosen highlighted the importance of collaboration among various agencies in achieving local success. “A huge factor of success has just been the collaboration amongst the county behavioral health department, the court systems, both the DA and the public defender’s office, as well as county counsel and other agencies,” he concluded. The **City of Eureka** has played a vital role in streamlining processes to ensure that clients receive the necessary services.
As the CARE Court initiative continues to evolve, local leaders remain committed to addressing funding gaps and enhancing support for individuals in need of mental health services.
