State officials unveil treatment plan for people with severe mental illness, substance abuse

State officials unveiled a program Thursday intended to increase support for California residents who struggle with severe mental illness, substance abuse issues and homelessness.

The proposal — called Care Court, with “care” standing for community assistance, recovery and empowerment — would require each of the state’s 58 counties to create a civil court division focused on mental health that will be able to compel treatment for mentally ill people who may not understand that they need it.