The Role of Forensic Evaluation in the CARE Act: From Petitions to Assessments
Date & Time
February 2, 2026
11:00am - 2:15pm
Location
Virtual
February 2, 2026
11:00am - 2:15pm
Location
Virtual
Summary
California has a narrow population of individuals who have severe symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. These symptoms place them at risk for homelessness, incarceration and death. In addition, these individuals often have significant physical health and safety needs. This population tends to cycle in and out of jail, often living on the street and not receiving any form of treatment. The CARE Act aims to help the system of care serve the needs of those who have fallen through the cracks by providing robust and comprehensive services including behavioral health services, stabilization medications, and housing. The CARE Act is different from other civil outpatient models in the US in that it also holds the County Behavioral Health system accountable for providing this comprehensive care. While “court-ordered” care often has a negative connotation, Dr Katherine Warburton will help us understand how this new model supports the needs of the most vulnerable and learn about how clinicians can petition the court.
Presented By
Katherine Warburton, DO
Dr. Katherine Warburton is the Statewide Medical Director for the California Department of State Hospitals, which has over 6,000 beds and is the largest forensic inpatient system in the country. Dr. Warburton is also serving as a Special Advisor to the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Transformation initiative. She is a Professor on the clinical faculty within the UC Davis Division of Psychiatry and the Law. Dr. Warburton is board certified in both adult psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. She has published multiple peer reviewed articles on a variety of forensic topics including the competency crisis, public forensic mental health systems, mental health policy, and inpatient aggression. She has been invited to speak nationally and internationally on these and other forensic subjects. Dr. Warburton has published two textbooks: Violence in Psychiatry and Decriminalizing Mental Illness. Her third textbook, Ethical and Clinical Complexities in the Treatment of Schizophrenia, will be released in early 2026. Dr. Warburton has worked at the national level on the board of directors for NRI and as a non-federal member of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee. She is the recipient of several awards including the 2022 Christine M. West Award and the 2025 Judge Stephen S. Goss Leadership Award.
Dr. Katherine Warburton is the Statewide Medical Director for the California Department of State Hospitals, which has over 6,000 beds and is the largest forensic inpatient system in the country. Dr. Warburton is also serving as a Special Advisor to the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Transformation initiative. She is a Professor on the clinical faculty within the UC Davis Division of Psychiatry and the Law. Dr. Warburton is board certified in both adult psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. She has published multiple peer reviewed articles on a variety of forensic topics including the competency crisis, public forensic mental health systems, mental health policy, and inpatient aggression. She has been invited to speak nationally and internationally on these and other forensic subjects. Dr. Warburton has published two textbooks: Violence in Psychiatry and Decriminalizing Mental Illness. Her third textbook, Ethical and Clinical Complexities in the Treatment of Schizophrenia, will be released in early 2026. Dr. Warburton has worked at the national level on the board of directors for NRI and as a non-federal member of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee. She is the recipient of several awards including the 2022 Christine M. West Award and the 2025 Judge Stephen S. Goss Leadership Award.
Learning Objectives
- Describe California’s CARE Act
- Identify patients who are eligible for the CARE Act and how clinicians can petition the court on behalf of patients
- Describe how the CARE Act connects patients to care and holds county behavioral health systems accountable for that care
CE Credit |
Intended Audience |
Experience Level |
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3 CE Available for CPA, BBS
Additional Continuing Education Information |
This training is intended for mental health clinicians.
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This training is appropriate for all level clinicians.
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