NAMI Tri-Valley February 2026 General Meeting - CARE Court Act Updates from ACBH

Описание: Our February 2026 General Meeting was about 2026 Updates on Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act Court From the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department.

We had three speakers from the ACBH Department present on the CARE Act, which was launched in 2024 to provide court-ordered treatment, housing, and support services to those with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It’s a civil process aimed to prevent unnecessary hospitalization or incarceration.

Yesenia Lott, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in behavioral health, specializing in crisis intervention and forensic mental health services. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for the Forensic, Diversion, and Reentry System of Care at Alameda County Behavioral Health. In this role, she oversees diversion and reentry mental health services for justice-involved individuals.

Reneé Pace has been employed with Alameda County for 27 years, beginning as an Eligibility Technician with Social Services and then transferring to the Behavioral Health Care Services department 22 years ago. As a Program Specialist with the Adult/Older Adult System of Care, Renee’s area of expertise is around county, state, and federal based benefits (primarily Medi-Cal and Social Security based disability benefits).

Kate Jones, RN, MS, MSN is the Director of Adult and Older Adult Services for Alameda County Behavioral Health. She is a nurse with a master’s in health care leadership and a masters in rehabilitation psychology. Kate has worked in the field of mental health with both adults and youth for the last 25 years. Prior to her work in mental health, Kate worked with individuals with Intellectual and developmental disabilities.