Class recorded June 30, 2020

This panel discussion was recorded in June 2020 and predates the new Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court Act, which aims to connect persons with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders to court-ordered mental health services before they end up in jail, the hospital or an LPS conservatorship.  The CARE Act is scheduled to be implemented in Los Angeles County starting in in December 2023.  For updated information on CARE Court, see the California Courts’ CARE Act website. Contact our Reference desk at (213) 785-2513, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via chat at https://bit.ly/341pHYU for further assistance.

In this program, a panel of experts provide guidance and greater understanding to loved ones of those who may benefit from placement in a Lanterman Petris Short (or “LPS”) conservatorship. This type of conservatorship is designed for adults with mental illness who become a serious danger to themselves or others. It allows for involuntary placement in protective care and the appointment of a caretaker (“conservator”) to handle their affairs. The panel addresses the LPS conservatorship process, which must be initiated by a government agency, usually the Public Guardian; how loved ones can help make a convincing case for involuntary mental health treatment; and how to monitor a conservatorship and modify it in the future, if needed.

Class covers:

• When an LPS conservatorship in appropriate, and the types of serious behavioral problems that will justify appointment of a conservator
• What a court-appointed LPS conservator can do to help someone suffering from severe mental illness issues
• How families and loved ones can help make a convincing case for involuntary mental health treatment and appointment of an LPS conservator
• How the LPS conservatorship process differs from other types of conservatorship, and the role of the Public Guardian
• How to monitor a conservatorship and modify it in the future, if needed

Presented by:

Diego Cartagena (moderator), President & CEO, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Steve Dominguez, Division Chief LPS Conservatorships, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Public Guardian

Hon. Lisa Jaskol, Los Angeles Superior Court

Gayle Tamler, IHSS/Medi-Cal Attorney, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Gail Evanguelidi, founder of the LPS mentorship program for NAMI members in LA County

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day).

Registration fee: FREE

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice.  LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service.  The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons.  For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.