Redline Contemporary Art Center  --- Denver, Colorado
There are many Colorado Disability Activists who have worked long and hard to get us as far as we are on SUPPORTIVE HOUSING --- We're Ready for those Measurable Numeric Goals & Reasonable Time Frames.
 

2021 Olmstead Supportive Housing bill For
Coloradans with Disabilities

Katie's / Val's Big Buckle Brawl
The Bachelorette meets Olmstead Advocacy
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Val's Big Buckle Brawl:  We must up our game on coming to a consensus on an Olmstead Planning Bill.  This is looking like it is something for the 2023 Session and if we could get some State involvement to assist with this effort it would be greatly appreciated.

We "think" Stakeholders are going to respond to the State better as an HONEST BROKER than any individual advocate or group as well as an entity that could actually get this done.   Having said that, some stakeholders have indicated they don't want to be OUT-NUMBERED by State Officials.

UPDATE:  Olmstead Supportive Housing Bill to focus on Scattered-Site Supportive Housing Integrated Into the Community.

[Concern has been voiced about "intentional communities" for people with developmental disabilities.]

​2nd Revised Rough Draft
  • Creates inclusive Colorado Olmstead Supportive Housing Disability Rights Panel
  • There's a BIG focus on Disability Rights because Colorado like most states does good things, but it often doesn't  comply with Federal Disability Law.
  • With respect to Olmstead and Supportive Housing, we want
    • ​Specific Numeric Measurable Goals
    • Reasonable Time Frames
    • Wait Lists moving at a Reasonable Pace
    • Reasonable funding proposals to bring Wrap Around Services and Affordable Housing Assistance to Scale.

We will be transferring some of the information on the bill development to a separate page -- see the button immediately below.
Our draft bill should be REDUNDANT --- BUT IT'S NOT.

The Olmstead Framework provides protections to people with disabilities and provides real ACCOUNTABILITY and INCLUSION while maintaining FLEXIBILITY and REASONABLENESS.
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We're further refining this draft bill -- which is shaping up as a SYSTEMATIC, LEGISLATIVELY AUTHORIZED PLANNING for SUPPORTIVE HOUSING that is consistent with OLMSTEAD.
  • One of the things that has come up
    • ​Various entities from the Affordable Housing Task Force to the Behavioral Health Task Force are looking at Supportive Housing
    • There is going to be a need to COORDINATE these efforts to Avoid Duplication of Effort
  • What we are wanting to bring to the TABLE --- is an INCLUSIVE group, authorized to formulate MEASURABLE NUMERIC GOALS and REASONABLE TIME FRAMES and propose FUNDING STRATEGIES to bring SUPPORTIVE HOUSING for COLORADANS with DISABILITIES to SCALE.​
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REVISED DRAFT BILL to STAKEHOLDERS this Weekend.
​(10-17-2021)
*Colorado Cross Disability Coalition has reviewed the bill and basically supports; although noted it was broad.      ​
*Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council Supports the bill.
*Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has supported a Zoom Call if necessary to hash out concerns.
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 Our Suggestion with regard to Over-Broad Concerns --- narrow further to Supportive Housing and concrete tasks that could bring Supportive Housing to SCALE:

  • *Authorize the creation of a Supportive Housing Trust Fund that could accept Philanthropic Donations as well as government funds

  • Create an Assessment Tool for Supportive Housing
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  • Measure the need in the Disability Community for Supportive Housing, including Justice-Involved people who are being released from jail or prison or on probation or parole.
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  • Make an annual report to the Legislature regarding the unmet need and proposals for financing.
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So this is looking a lot more like a SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PLANNING & FINANCING BILL than a broad Olmstead Planning Bill.

Maybe separate out SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • Tying SUPPORTIVE HOUSING to SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT or ENTREPRENEURSHIP where medically reasonable.

Creating a Waitlist --- Moving at a Reasonable Pace

This Draft Colorado Olmstead Planning Bill is largely about PROCESS:
  • Categories of Individuals and Agencies that should be included
    • ​We see Olmstead as a BIG PART of Criminal Justice Reform
  • Instituting On-Going Processes that will continue after any particular Administration
  • Authorizing relevant DATA COLLECTION
  • Authorizing the Establishment and Revision of MEASURABLE GOALS & REASONABLE TIME FRAMES
  • Authorizing the Establishment of Waitlists for SUPPORTIVE HOUSING and SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT.
  • ​Annual DATA-DRIVEN Reports to the Legislature with REVENUE REQUESTS as REASONABLE and APPROPRIATE.
This went on to stakeholders and Josh Winkler at the State.
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Preview: ​Draft Olmstead Planning Bill

We're looking to have a broad reach.

On the other hand, in this 2021 Bill we are focusing on Supportive Housing & Supportive Employment.

We can't PRIORIZE everything --- and too many service categories are confusing.  We think Supportive Housing & Supportive Employment are the most important --- others may feel that needs to be broadened.
  • This is also largely focused on ADULTS with physical or cognitive disabilities --- NOT Youth.
  • There may be some desire to address Youth separately.

2017 Rough Draft Olmstead Planning Bill
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