CARE Act
CARE Act
Helping a person with a severe mental illness
This guide has information about
- The CARE Act
- Other options to help someone with a severe mental illness
- Help at Self-Help Centers with CARE Act forms
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Explore options to help someone with a severe mental illness
Although this guide is about the CARE Act, you should only use the CARE Act process if there are no other options that would limit the person less than the CARE Act and still meet their needs.
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The CARE Act
Get information about what the CARE Act is, what is required, and how to start the CARE process.
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Visit a Self-Help Center
Each court has a Self-Help Center where you can get free legal help with court forms and answers to legal questions about CARE Act proceedings. The Self-Help Centers can help you with filling out CARE Act forms.
CARE Act
The CARE Act allows certain adult people to ask (petition) a court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan for someone with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. A CARE agreement or plan may include treatment, housing resources, and other services.
You must explore all other options before starting the CARE process
Although this guide is about the CARE Act, you should only use the CARE Act process if there are no other options that would limit the person less than the CARE Act and still meet their needs. Explore other options here.
What if I don't speak English?
You can use Request for Interpreter—Civil (form INT-300) or a local court form or website to request an interpreter. For more information about court interpreters, click here.
What if I have a disability?
If you have a disability and need an accommodation while you are at court, you can use Disability Accommodation Request (form MC-410) to make your request. You can also ask the ADA Coordinator in your court for help. For more information, see How to Request a Disability Accommodation for Court (form MC-410-INFO).