Any facility that provides assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention as defined in California Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 5150(a), or a designated facility as defined in W&I Code section 5008(n) may make a CARE referral. If a facility is treating an individual under an involuntary hold who they believe meets or is likely to meet the CARE eligibility criteria, then the facility can make a referral to the county behavioral health (BH) agency in the county of the individual’s residency or the county where the individual is receiving treatment.

DHCS has developed a referral form, however facilities may use other existing forms and/or procedures to make a CARE referral to county BH. Within 14 business days of receipt of a CARE Act referral from a designated facility, county BH is required to complete an assessment of the individual and file a petition if the agency determines that the individual meets or is likely to meet the eligibility criteria and the individual does not engage in voluntary treatment.

While the CARE Act does not specify a process for other facilities to make referrals, there is nothing that prevents them from doing so. Some counties have facilitated these referrals by establishing specific pathways for them.

For more information, review the Referrals to CARE training and the Facility Referrals to the CARE Act Process resource.