From Calm to Care in Castro Valley
In my last column I reflected upon the calmness of Castro Valley. In this column I continue within the same stream of thought. The flow, however, now brings me to another term of value – caring. What fosters this thought is a news story about the expansion of “care courts” within our state. It makes me reflect on this initiative, and its importance. What, after all, is a “care court?” It is a term that is new in the nomenclature that governs our thinking about the journey to justice within our society.
With candor, countless people experience difficulties with the challenges of modern life. Among them are the ubiquitous pain experienced from the dread of addiction, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or other potent presences within our lives. The same with the difficulties of mental health and mental competency. Victims from within these domains often end up in systems that are incompatible with the origins of their problems. Because of a lack of alternatives, they have been deposited for decades within the hallways of our criminal justice system. The causes of their problems, however, have often been emotional and biological. With that, there has been a mismatch between the problem and problem-solving.
During the two years that I was the senior federal health official in the western states I explored the labyrinth of laws and systems that address these problems. What helped me find my way through the maze was a classmate from the Castro Valley High class of 1963. Her name was Peggy Hora (now deceased). Her career began as a defense attorney. Later, she became a judge. By working in these domains, she witnessed the confusion and contradictions imbedded within public policy approaches to these issues. She became an explorer, searching for new and better ways to address their conditions. She understood that the root causes of these problems were not criminal in nature. They were issues of health.
By listening to Peggy, I began to see a way through the fog. With that I invited her to explain her rationale to the senior staff at the Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in San Francisco. During her presentation she made a solid case for a broad adoption of “care courts” to deal with them. She became a lead national advocate for their adoption and utilization. Her case was solid – the problems were born in the soil of health, not in sins of crime. With that, when necessary, the trials of the troubled needed to be “homed” in courts designed and developed to deal with them. Hence – Care Courts.
When I look at the present expansion of Care Courts in California and nationally, I pause and think about Peggy and the leadership she provided. As these courts expand and mature in efficacy, they will provide greater care and compassion for the troubled. With time, tens of thousands of people will benefit. Eventually, it will become millions. It is a major step in the right direction for all of us.
As I watch this endeavor unfold, I think of Peggy and her leadership. Although her name will not endure in neon, it will in terms of improved methods and outcomes for those with troubled conditions. This is an intrinsic legacy to have and one of immense public value. It does not provide fame or fortune. There is no Academy Award or Super Bowl ring given. The reward comes in quietude. It comes by observation – in seeing troubled people treated in thoughtful ways for our common good. There will be no drums beating and no horns blown for recognition. Yet, it is in this modest article, that I remember a person from Castro Valley named Peggy Hora. Because of her leadership she will enable countless people to have hope for their lives. This is a gift of hope for those with issues, as well as the soul of our society.