January 2025

Family members are important in helping a relative living with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders. Through the CARE process, family members can be petitioners or volunteer supporters. They can also help informally by giving guidance and encouragement. County behavioral health (BH) agencies and partners should consider how to best involve family members and, in turn, also help family members understand the CARE process, access support, and understand information-sharing practices. Note that counties are permitted to submit claims for reimbursement to DHCS for administrative functions while engaging family members to support a respondent during the CARE process (view FAQ here). Consider reviewing the training materials and resources related to supporting families in the CARE process, including:

• Family Resource Guide: This resource provides support and guidance for family members of individuals going through the CARE Act process. Counties are welcome to use this guide in conversations with family members.
• Strategies for Integrating Families & Other Natural Supports into CARE Trainings: The first training provides an overview of how county BH can use the Family Resource Guide when offering support to families. It also includes information on the services that Self-Help Centers can provide to families. The second training offers an overview of family services and supports available at the county level. It includes county spotlights featuring firsthand experiences from individuals involved in providing family supports through various county programs.
• County-Level Family Supports & Services: This resource describes potential services and supports county BH agencies can offer related to education services, support services, care management/navigation, family caregiver assessment, and outcomes studies. Please reach out if your county is interested in learning more about how another county has implemented any of these services or supports.
• Three-part series on taking a trauma-informed approach: This series helps volunteer supporters—including family members—better understand the impact of trauma on an individual. The third training focuses on strategies for taking a trauma-informed approach to counter burnout and overwhelm. Family members, in particular, can apply these principles in their own lives, as they have often experienced either primary or secondary trauma themselves.