Technology
New California law forces chatbots to protect kids’ mental health
Gov. Gavin Newsom approved mandatory monitoring and reminders when kids use chatbots. But a bill supported by child advocates was left unsigned.
Mental Health
Justice
California’s Prop. 36 promised ‘mass treatment’ for defendants. A new study shows how it’s going
The biggest study yet on California’s tough-on-crime ballot measure Proposition 36 shows few people are finding their way into the treatment it promised.
Mental Health
New California law expands Newsom’s mental health court. Will it help more people?
Gov. Newsom introduced CARE Court to bring more people experiencing severe mental illness into treatment. It has helped fewer people than he projected, but a new law will make more people eligible for it.
Mental Health
‘Can I just be a kid?’ Students shaken by immigration raids seek help from school counselors
Kindergartners repeat worries heard at home. Older kids text to check on parents during class. Therapists say mental health is at risk now and in the long term.
Education
Judge pauses Trump policy cutting off schools, shelters to certain immigrants
A U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily pausing a series of federal policies aimed at restricting certain immigrants’ access to public benefits and programs.
K-12 Education
Seven years after California’s deadliest fire, schools — and kids — are still recovering
One of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history, the Camp Fire is among the many natural disasters that have upended student learning over the past decade.
Mental Health
‘I will do it again’. Mom of California overdose victim pledges to keep fighting in Capitol
After a CalMatters investigation, lawmakers asked Christine Matlock Dougherty to testify on behalf of bills to regulate mental health insurance. They didn't pass this year.
Mental Health
6 things to know about how Gov. Newsom’s CARE Court is working so far
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court was supposed to help the sickest people living on California’s streets. We took a look at data from around the state. Here’s what we found.
Mental Health
Newsom promised real progress on mental health with CARE Court. Here’s what the numbers show
In the most-comprehensive look yet at whether people are using Gov. Gavin Newsom's CARE Court, we found that far fewer Californians are enrolled in the mental health program than he projected.
Commentary
California must learn from history. Forced mental health care harms more than heals
Californians with lived experience try to collaborate with policymakers to develop voluntary, community-based mental health services but are rejected.