As an elder law attorney, I’ve helped many families of older relatives with dementia obtain authority to help with decision-making for their safety and health.

Governor Gavin Newsom says he has a plan to help people with severe mental health or addiction disorders get off the streets and get the care they need. “CARE Court” would allow court-ordered treatment plans for people who fit certain criteria.

Conservatorships sound good but face daunting legal challenges. Offers of shelter are often rejected. What do unsheltered people see as a solution?

ERIC PREVEN’S NOTEBOOK - if you have not scheduled a visit to see your councilmember in advance or do not have an appointment, a security officer will have to escort you to your council member's office.

Jennifer Campbell and Marni von Wilpert say a new unit of the city attorney’s office would use conservatorships to help the most vulnerable people living on the streets.

A group of civil rights attorneys filed an emergency request in federal court Monday, asking a judge to order the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to make immediate changes to address serious lapses in care in its jails.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is backing a sweeping proposal to overhaul California’s mental health care system and end homelessness for the sickest people living on our streets. 

The right answer is “both”—but, first triage their mental health needs, and then tuck them into a warm bed. But, how? 

Legislation sponsored by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would allow courts to order treatment plans for individuals suffering from severe mental health disorders cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday.

The California State Capitol is abuzz with hearings as lawmakers rush to act on high-profile crime and homelessness bills ahead of a key Friday legislative deadline — but when it comes to rebates for skyrocketing gas prices, all’s quiet on the Western front.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial plan to force some people into court-ordered treatment faced its first public hearing on Tuesday. 

After issuing a letter in strong opposition, groups request specific answers fore core components of proposal.

Battle lines have emerged in the debate over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s far-reaching and controversial effort to provide court-ordered treatment for homeless individuals with severe mental illness, with Democrats and local government officials divided even though the plan easily cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday. 

San Diego police have stopped enforcing the city’s so-called vehicle habitation ordinance amid an ongoing legal challenge. Meanwhile, vehicle homelessness has become increasingly visible.

Several homeless advocacy groups, including the ACLU, have sounded off against Newsom's far-reaching CARE Court proposal.

Six weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a far-reaching effort to push more people into court-ordered treatment for severe mental illness and addiction, homeless advocates are calling it legally misguided and immoral as the proposal’s first public hearing at the state Capitol has been delayed.

State Sen. Susan Eggman called 911 on her way to the Capitol earlier this month because a person was standing in the road pouring water on their head in the middle of the turn lane. 

Southern California’s jobless rate in March fell to 4.4% — a pandemic-era low — despite a slower hiring pace.

Each year, a greater percentage of students in California qualify for special education. Last year, about 13 percent of students in California's K-12 public schools received individualized services for special needs, up from about 10 percent in the early 2000s.