This is going to go well and Republicans already know it.
A controversial California law taking effect in January will dramatically expand Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health court system—despite growing criticism that the program has delivered little return for taxpayers.
The expansion comes as many experts, families, and lawmakers question whether the initiative has made any meaningful impact on California’s worsening homelessness and mental health crisis.
A Costly Promise With Limited Results
The program, known as CARE Court, was introduced in 2023 as a bold solution to remove severely mentally ill individuals from the streets and connect them with treatment instead of jail.
At the time, Newsom promoted CARE Court as a “paradigm shift,” arguing it would finally address public disorder in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where homelessness, addiction, and untreated mental illness have become everyday realities.
But nearly two years later, independent investigations suggest the results fall far short of the promises.
Millions Spent, Few Helped
According to a CalMatters investigation, California has spent approximately $328 million on CARE Court since its launch. Despite that massive investment, the program has produced just:
- 684 voluntary treatment agreements, which are not legally enforceable
- 22 court-ordered treatment plans statewide as of October
Critics argue those numbers are stunningly low given the scale of the crisis and the amount of taxpayer money involved.
Families Speak Out
Anita Fisher, a former CARE Court advocate whose son suffers from severe mental illness, described the program bluntly.
“I look at it as a total failure,” she told CalMatters.
Families who hoped CARE Court would finally provide real help say many participants continue cycling through the system without long-term stability.
Far Below Original Projections
When the program was announced, state officials estimated that 7,000 to 12,000 Californians would qualify for CARE Court.
In reality, by October:
- Courts received 3,092 petitions statewide
- Many were dismissed outright, particularly in major counties such as Los Angeles and San Francisco
Lawmakers say the gap highlights deep structural problems.
Sky-High Cost Per Person
The Assembly Judiciary Committee labeled CARE Court a “very expensive” initiative, estimating it cost $713,000 per participant last year.
Observers argue the program relies too heavily on voluntary compliance while lacking sufficient treatment beds, staffing, and enforcement mechanisms to be effective.
Expansion Moves Forward Anyway
Despite the criticism, Newsom’s administration is moving ahead with a major expansion starting next year. The changes will broaden the list of qualifying mental health conditions and adjust eligibility rules in hopes of increasing participation.
The governor’s office has defended CARE Court and placed responsibility on county governments for poor implementation.
A spokesperson argued that forcing treatment rarely works and claimed some counties—such as Humboldt and San Diego—have seen “strong results.”
Taxpayers Left With Questions
The administration has warned counties to act faster or risk voter backlash. But critics say the expansion looks less like reform and more like doubling down on a failing strategy.
As California continues spending hundreds of millions of dollars, many taxpayers are asking a simple question: how much longer can the state afford programs that promise transformation but deliver minimal results?
