DOJ & Olmstead
Overview of the International Guiding Statement on Alternatives to Solitary Confinement
(Jan. 22, 2024)

See also: 
  • Solitary Confinement is still an issue in Colorado Jails
    • But was reduced with HB 21-1211 -- Regulation of Restrictive Housing in Jails
  • Horror Story --- It Doesn't Have to be This Way
Stanford Medicine: 
Metabolic Psychiatry
Columbia's
Mitochondrial PsychoBiology  Lab
Center for Law, Brain & Behavior
MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law & Neuroscience
SAMHSA's Gains Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation
SAMHSA's Homeless & Housing Resource Center
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Corporation for Supportive Housing

Stressful Life Events Linked to Poor Biological Health (2024)

Source:  University College London (UCL)

Key Facts:
  1. Stressful events, including financial strain, significantly disrupt the healthy interaction of the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems.
  2. Individuals exposed to stress were 61% more likely to be in a high-risk health group, with each additional stressor increasing this likelihood by 19%.
  3. The study establishes that chronic stress can lead to poor biological health, independent of genetic factors.
*Primarily Brain Injury, Mental Illness, Substance Issues, and Developmental Disabilities
 
Legal & Policy Priorities:
  • State Olmstead Compliance 
  • Accommodations & Service Design for Individuals who are Neuro-Diverse (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc.) --- and/or have Psychiatric Disorders or other Cognitive Disabilities.
Our Advocacy Work in Colorado is exclusively focused on SYSTEMIC Olmstead Advocacy with a particular focus on SUPPORTIVE HOUSING for people with cognitive disabilities who are homeless or being released from incarceration.

Having said that, we believe that ACCESSIBLE HOUSING for people with Physical Disabilities must be included as well.

Draft Olmstead Planning Supportive Housing bill

Key Components of the draft bill would be:
  • Measurable (Numeric) Goals (DOJ guidance)
  • Reasonable Time Frames (DOJ guidance)
  • Inclusion --- at least 1/5 to 1/4 of individuals who would be directly using or in need of "Supportive Housing" (the 1/5 figure was taken from a DOJ settlement with Oregon)
    • both people with physical and cognitive disabilities, including those who are homeless and/or justice-involved.
  • On-Going Data Collection
  • Planning to include a yearly report and proposals to the legislature for Funding to Support the Plan (DOJ guidance)

Draft CO Olmstead Supportive Housing Planning Bill e-mailed to Atlantis 9-20-2023.