BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 The CARE Act created a process that was supposed to get those with psychiatric disorders the help they need.<\/p>\n
But Governor Gavin Newsom is now stressing the importance of local leaders putting their feet on the gas and increasing the effectiveness of the program.<\/p>\n
Watch \u2018After Sunrise\u2019 on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices <\/a><\/p>\n At Monday\u2019s press conference, Newsom announced $300 million is available for counties that have not met the mark for the program \u2014 including Kern County.<\/p>\n Since Kern adopted the homeless mental health initiative in October 2024, the county has received 213 petitions. Fifty-eight of those were approved with 11 still pending.<\/p>\n But while roughly 27% of the petitions have been approved, Kern Behavioral Health surprisingly says it doesn\u2019t need the extra funding by the governor.<\/p>\n Alison Burrowes, the director of the department, explained the reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen a significant number of individuals voluntarily connected with behavioral health services without the need for a CARE Court petition,\u201d said Burrowes. \u201cWhen people are willing to accept help through voluntary pathways, that represents a positive outcome for both the individual and the system of care.\u201d<\/p>\n The data also shows a similar picture.<\/p>\n According to the state of California\u2019s accountability website, Kern\u2019s local programs assisted 778 individuals in 2025.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Behavioral Health told KGET that it\u2019s difficult to pinpoint exactly what local program has contributed to helping the most people.<\/p>\n Carlos Baldovinos, one of Kern\u2019s biggest homeless advocates, said Newsom\u2019s one-size-fits-all approach is flawed.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople have different issues. Different medications need to be used for certain individuals, different diagnosis, so you can\u2019t treat it like that,\u201d said Baldovinos. \u201cIf you do, it\u2019s a recipe for, you know, just for a cog at the wheel and nothing happening.\u201d<\/p>\n The process of getting an individual assistance can be long and complicated. First, a petition needs to be filed and sent to the Kern County Superior Court.<\/p>\n