Newsom threatens CARE Court funding for 10 counties he calls ‘CARE ICU,’ pressing local governments to speed up mental health treatment rollout
Governor Gavin Newsom warned he may reallocate state funding from ten counties he labeled the “CARE ICU” for underperforming on CARE Court, pressing local governments to accelerate rollout of mental-health treatment or risk losing fiscal support.
- Benchmark set: The state defined a target of about 6.2 petitions per 100,000 residents as a performance metric for CARE Court.
- Stakes: Newsom said he could redirect funds in his May 2026 revised budget if counties don’t improve.
- Mixed local reaction: Several counties pushed back, arguing a single metric oversimplifies complex local efforts.
- Transparency tools: The state launched a public tracker for county progress and highlighted related housing and services investments.
What Newsom announced
At a March 2 press conference, Governor Newsom warned he could redirect money away from counties that do not meet the state’s benchmark for CARE Court use. The administration set the standard at about 6.2 petitions per 100,000 residents that lead to voluntary or court-ordered treatment. Newsom named the 10 lowest-performing counties and said he may seek funding changes in his May 2026 revised budget if progress does not accelerate. He declared,
“I’m happy to redirect every damn penny in these programs to the counties that are getting things done, period, full stop.”
Source: KFIA / Times Media Service coverage and video of Newsom’s comments.
The 10 counties Newsom labeled the “CARE ICU” and the “CARE Champions”
Newsom identified the 10 lowest-performing counties as Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Yolo. He contrasted that list with 10 “CARE Champions” — Alameda, Humboldt, Imperial, Marin, Merced, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Sutter and Tuolumne — where officials say CARE Court has been better integrated.
For context and original reporting, see KFIA / Times Media Service coverage.
What CARE Court does and where it stands
CARE Court — announced by Newsom in 2019 and rolled out statewide by 2025 — is designed to use civil courts to connect people with severe mental illness, substance use disorders and homelessness to voluntary or court-ordered treatment. Petition filers can include family members, first responders and medical providers. The goal: increase access to treatment while reducing reliance on criminalization or conservatorship.
State data show the program has fallen short of original projections. Since launch officials reported receiving 3,817 petitions, with judges approving 893 treatment agreements and court-ordering 32 individuals into care. More than 4,000 referrals were sent to other services. Original expectations ranged from 7,000 to 12,000 qualifying cases, so enrollment has come in under projections; long-term outcomes remain unclear.
Sources: KFIA / Times Media Service and YouTube briefing.
County responses and pushback
County leaders quickly pushed back. Orange County officials noted their county ranked fifth statewide in petitions and reported 79 participants receiving housing, medication and services through CARE. They argued the single-metric approach does not capture broader local work.
Santa Clara County Executive James Williams said the county is at the “forefront” of treatment and housing efforts and warned that a simple scorecard risks oversimplifying a complex system. San Francisco officials pointed to progress reducing encampments and improving shelter linkages while welcoming state assistance.
Critics include Michelle Doty Cabrera of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, saying petition counts ignore prevention and crisis work; the California State Association of Counties noted counties are following state law; and Republican Sen. Roger Niello argued it is unfair to blame local officials given funding shortfalls on the ground.
Source: KFIA / Times Media Service and state briefing video.
Spurring action, not just punishment
Newsom paired pressure with offers of help: his office said it will provide support and tools to speed county rollouts rather than immediately cutting funds. The state launched a public tracker so residents can see county progress on CARE Court implementation.
He also highlighted additional state funding tied to behavioral health and housing: $131.8 million in Homekey+ awards and $159 million in Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention funds from earlier budgets, and referenced about $6.38 billion in capital and $1 billion in annual housing-integration funds linked to 2024 Proposition 1 bond money. Some counties on the “ICU” list have already received portions of these funds.
Sources: KFIA / Times Media Service and YouTube briefing.
Data gaps and safety concerns
Observers note the state has not yet tracked long-term outcomes for CARE Court participants. A high-profile San Francisco case — the death of Connor Keith, who overdosed 10 days after his CARE Court case was dismissed — has become central to the debate over program safety and timing, prompting officials to reassess processes and timelines.
Source: KFIA / Times Media Service.
Why Huntington Beach should pay attention
Huntington Beach lies within Orange County, which Newsom named among the “CARE ICU.” That designation could have direct local consequences because the city depends on county mental-health services, has a tourism-based economy, and a conservative-leaning electorate focused on public safety and local control.
Implications for Huntington Beach
Economic impact
- Potential funding shifts: If state funding tied to CARE Court or homelessness programs is reallocated away from Orange County, housing, outreach and treatment projects near Huntington Beach could be delayed, affecting contractors and service providers.
- Tourism and business: Visible homelessness and public-safety concerns could hurt tourism and local commerce; faster CARE Court rollout aims to reduce these impacts by connecting people to treatment.
Political consequences
- Local vs. state control: Newsom’s threat to redirect funds may intensify tensions over state intervention and become a campaign issue in local and state elections.
- Accountability demands: Residents may press officials for clear plans showing how CARE Court links with other services and how funds are used.
Social effects
- Public safety and services: Quicker CARE Court implementation could ease burdens on emergency responders and hospitals, but weak long-term tracking means residents will demand measurable outcomes.
- Community concerns: Families affected by severe mental illness may welcome additional tools; others worry about civil liberties and forced treatment.
Cultural relevance
Huntington Beach’s conservative community values public safety, personal responsibility and fiscal accountability. Officials who can show measurable results — fewer encampments, better shelter access and fewer crisis calls — will build trust; a single metric may not satisfy local demands for detailed reporting.
Practical applications for residents
- Watch the tracker: Use the public tracker to check Orange County’s CARE Court progress and compare counties.
- Engage local officials: Ask city and county leaders for plans showing how CARE Court links with shelters, law enforcement, hospitals and outpatient services.
- Expect budget debates: The possibility of state reallocation means local budget planners may need contingency plans or alternative funding to avoid service disruptions.
Reporting and sources
This report draws on state and county statements and published coverage of the March 2 press conference and CARE Court data. Key items:
- Times Media Service summary / KFIA coverage
- Video of Newsom’s comments and state briefings
- State public tracker (accountability.ca.gov)
All original facts, figures and source URLs are preserved above.
