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When is the polis administration going to comply with olmstead?

1/11/2022

The Polis Administration (as with many Administrations before it) --- doesn't appear to know how to comply with Olmstead --- POLITICALLY -- even if the practical mechanics are not as hard as States are making it.

MAINLY States just need to get started on that Olmstead Plan with MEASURABLE GOALS. Polis Administration is in ANALYSIS PARALYLIS ("SIT TIGHT & ASSESS")-- and we're NOT HAPPY.

If they want to do on-going research that's great -- BUT they need to get TO WORK on that Olmstead Plan with MEAURABLE GOALS --- NOW --- because it must be CONTINUALLY IMPROVED anyway.

BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and other States need to get on with it and adopt REASONABLE PLANS with MEASURABLE GOALS to address BIG SHORTAGES.

FEDS we really need you to provide TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE to the STATES.

Some UNIFORM, EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT would be appreciated, too.

ORCHID'S 2022
CO COGNITIVE DISABILITY
2-PAGER

How Many Angels can dance on the Head of a Pin and the Free Will vs. Determinism Debate

1/4/2022

See also: SKIN IN THE GAME

There's a lot of "FIGHTING THE LAST WAR" in the Free Will vs. Determinism Debate.

In Modern America, it's become a lot about RELIGION vs. SCIENCE
- There is a lot to UNPACK --- but HISTORICAL GRIEVANCE is in the MIX.

We do need the Religious Folks and Science Folks --- BUT we also need the MODERN DOCTORS, LAWYERS, EPIDEMIOLOGISTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES & POLICYMAKERS to CONTINUE BUILDING that PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH to CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

Some of those people are Religious, Some of them are really into Science, Some of them aren't into Religion or Science, and SOME "IDENTIFY" as both Religious and are into SCIENCE.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE is a PRAGMATIC APPROACH that is very much INFLUENCED by these PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATES --- but at the end of the day has to act without PERFECT KNOWLEDGE.
Further, we CAN'T WAIT for PERFECT KNOWLEDGE to IMPROVE our CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM both with respect to SAFETY and HUMANE TREATMENT.

What does become CLEAR is that when we are LINKING these "FREE WILL vs. DETERMINISM" ideas to "MORAL RESPONSIBILITY" --- there are MORAL HAZARDS --- whichever way you go-- that are DANGEROUS.

So if we're not demanding certain STANDARDS of BEHAVIOR ---- that can get DANGEROUS quickly.
BUT if we're not recognizing the COMPLEXITY of ACHIEVING THOSE STANDARDS of BEHAVIOR that involve the INDIVIDUAL and go BEYOND the INDIVIDUAL --- that is a MORAL HAZARD.
- We're often dealing with CHRONIC DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR --- that we're addressing as INDIVIDUAL BAD INTENT & INDIVIDUAL BAD ACTS --- that are more COMPLICATED than that.
  - BAD INTENT + BAD ACT = PUNISHMENT was quite SOPHISTICATED hundreds of years ago --- it's NOT in 2022.

There's a certain nonsensical aspect to the CONSTRUCTION of the "Free Will vs. Determinism Debate" that has some aspects in common with "HOW MANY ANGELS CAN DANCE ON THE HEAD of a PIN" --- LACK OF PRACTICALITY is right up there.

We're assuming things to be in EVIDENCE --- that seem in fact DIFFERENT than what we are ASSUMING --- namely:

Both sides could probably agree that things SEEM to be CHANGING --- things are NOT STATIC.
The question of CONTROL that LIVING THINGS have over their BEHAVIOR looks much more a matter of DEGREE.
- Is that "CONTROL" --- FREE WILL since it is DEPENDENT on the STRUCTURE of the LIVING ORGANISM and the ENVIRONMENT?
  - It DEPENDS on how we DEFINE "FREE WILL" --- those DEFINITIONS have changed over time.

Furthermore, it appears that we are "LEARNING" to CONTROL our BIOLOGY and ENVIRONMENTS.

Part 3 of 3: Hidden Brain --- So Many Implications

12/30/2021

 The Hidden Brain Episode that was set in Denver --- "Both Things Can Be True At the Same Time" went to

Integrative Complexity, and
Integrative Thinking

---it chose as its backdrop Addiction, Mental Health Problems, & Criminal Justice --- mainly because those are the EXTREMES --- and in some ways it is easier to SEE THE ISSUES.

This staid NPR Program isn't really that different than some DRAMA or SATIRE that is ratcheting things up to make a point.

WARNING: Offensive Language

J. Cole
Amari

"Let's work, hey . ..

"I punch the time sheet, not no more
And now my assigned seat is the throne."

At some point, most of us realize --- WE"RE PLAYING A GAME -- and if it's NOT WORKING FOR US --- We have to step outside it.

It usually has to be PRETTY BAD for us to do that --- BECAUSE there are many DIS-INCENTIVES.

NPR'S HIDDEN BRAIN

"Both Things Can Be True"

Don't Look Up
"Sit Tight and Assess"

Ironically, one of the things we are trying to do on Orchid is RATCHET things down for people with mental illness from SERIAL KILLER to ARTISTIC TEMPRAMENT.

The GOOD GUYS in "Don't Look Up" are the Nerdy, Anxious Outsiders --- ---- because that is who is making the ART.

In "Don't Look Up," the Protagonists basically are following the CHAIN of COMMAND and making SUBSTANTIVE ARGUMENTS --- and it is not getting them very far.

Divergent --- Drowning Scene (2014)
Shailene Woodley as Tris Prior

Addressing "DIVERGENCE" is:

"STEPPING OUT OF OUR ASSIGNED SEAT" (see J. Cole above)
Engaging the "Other Side" to find a MUTUALLY AGREEABLE SOLUTION
And giving those POLITICIANS a CONSENSUS
Because if you wait for the POLITICIANS --- IT WILL BE TOO LATE.

We'd like to avoid ARMED REBELLION.

Part 2 of 3: Hidden BRAIN -- Everyone Has Their Problems --- Spoiler Alert

12/30/2021

Casablanca (1942)

--- In the Stephanie and Kim Story on NPR's Hidden Brain--- Kim was a life saver and a thief, and Stephanie was someone who had been suicidal and a addict and wanted to be a good friend.

Most of the time it is not that dramatic --- but EXTREMES help us see COMMON PATTERNS.

One of the COMMON PATTERNS for many NEURO-DIVERSE people is --- "Hey, I'm not the only one here with some challenging behaviors."

In fact, most of the US population has low grade inflammation ---- it may be showing up as cancer, or autoimmune diseases or other inflammatory "physical" diseases, and the psychiatric issues may be less severe but there.

Another EXTREME EXAMPLE: poor black, hispanic, white guy with psychiatric disorders is arrested for breaking into a garage while drunk/high and subsequently gets beat up by officers in the jail--- those officers have their own neuro-developmental / psychiatric problems.

Most of the time nothing happens to the officers unless there is a video and even then it can take a lot to get the matter addressed.

We have much more of a population-wide problem with INFLAMMATION than we realize and it's not just the USUAL SUSPECTS.

How did we get to the point that 1/5 to 1/4 of the populations of most developed countries and more and more developing countries have mental health concerns and chronic disease is rampant?

Some of those simple answers aren't all wrong --- we need to eat our fruits and vegetables and exercise. BUT that can come perilously close to "PRAY THE GAY AWAY."

Neuro-Diversity is not sufficiently recognized by the Mental Health Profession and it's the bulk of the Mental Health Population.

Where did that Neuro-Diversity start --- by and large IN UTERO.

NPR'S HIDDEN BRAIN

"Both Things Can Be True"

Tedx: Professor Graham Rook at Kings College London on the "Old Friends Hypothesis"

See 4:10: Widespread low level background inflammation in US population.

Starting to look at this from a Public Health -- Population-Based Approach (with some BIOMARKERS) could get us a much more accurate view of what's going on. --- and start to address some entrenched BIASES.

Further, we need to look at MORE THAN ONE GENERATION.

Developing mental health policy in Sweden:

a policy analysis exploring how a complex societal challenge was consigned to individual citizens to solve (April 2021)

Karolinska Institutet in Sweden --- Photo Credit: Nobelprize.org

Press Release from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden (2014):

"The conference will focus on the development of the brain from conception, in utero to the early post natal stages.

"If something goes wrong during this time, it may have major consequences, and many known psychiatric illnesses can be traced back to this period.

"Schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder and anxiety syndrome are just a few examples. "

Part 1 of 3: A Complicated Story from Denver --- SPOILER ALERT

12/30/2021

NPR's National Program "Hidden Brain" this week was "Both Things Can Be True" and looked at Integrative Complexity from the standpoint of "Stephanie" and her friendship with "Kim."
Kim had both saved Stephanie's life and stolen from Stephanie.
Stephanie had her own problems and needed the assistance of the SOCIETY to address the stealing.
It appears that Kim was prosecuted in Denver District Court, Kim was put on Probation, was not successful on PROBATION and went to prison for many months.

We don't have all the facts --- BUT it is not a big leap to say Stephanie didn't have a lot of options and neither did the Criminal Justice System.

For Stephanie, Kim and the Criminal Justice System, the State Legislature could be and has been a source of options.

The Criminal Law is often STATE LAW.

More and more effort has been put into providing MEDICAID Services and Supportive Housing to "JUSTICE-INVOLVED" people.

PROBATION is NOT a good fit for people with EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING CHALLENGES and many if not most people in Criminal Justice have EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING CHALLENGES.

BUT People with Executive Functioning Challenges generally have other STRENGTHS -- they may even be SAVING OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES.

NPR'S HIDDEN BRAIN

"Both Things Can Be True"

The link below is from San Mateo County Probation in California.

It is not what one would expect from a Government Probation website -- but it is extremely HELPFUL in providing CONTEXT --- about where we've been.

It briefly goes back to the Middle Ages and works its way up.

History of Probation

The Nexus Between Neuro-Science & Probation

Data & Olmstead

12/25/2021

Ultimately, we see this as a State Responsibility to COLLECT THE DATA going to the NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES under Olmstead.

Further, States have an INCENTIVE to COLLECT THIS DATA not only to do OLMSTEAD PLANNING --- BUT to BARGAIN WITH THE FEDS --- especially on HOUSING.

Municipalities and Counties also have an interest in collecting some of this data --- to BARGAIN with the STATE. The States are cost-shifting SIGNIFICANT HIGH COGNITIVE DISABILITY COSTS to the MUNCIPALITIES & COUNTIES.

Trying to Get A Process For Olmstead in Colorado and other States

12/25/2021

After my interview for the State's Disability Policy Coordinator Position, it was clear the State is walkin' a FINE LINE.

It was certainly clear to me that I wasn't the right person for the position, and I hope whoever gets the position gets the backing of the State.

We are 20 years out from the Olmstead Decision and STATE COMPLIANCE is a BIG ISSUE.

It's a big issue for many reasons including the decision itself.

Unfortunately, the Olmstead Decision makes an Olmstead Plan a "DEFENSE in a LAWSUIT," not an independent requirement.

So that has really put the BURDEN on People with Disabilities to File Lawsuits.

Many lawsuits have been filed against the State of Colorado, generally for good reason.

It is saying a lot in a LOUD VOICE if the John Hickenloopers and Jared Polises of the world don't really see a clear path to Olmstead Compliance.

I'm going to be focusing on this as much more of a National Issue.

The BRAVE WORK of Mental Health Colorado, NAMI Colorado, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, ADAPT, Disability Law Colorado, the Colorado Lawyers Committee and many others has been amazing to watch and we hope they will continue to pursue these Olmstead Issues at the State Level.

With regard to Families, Private Insurance Companies, Medicare and Medicaid, States and Businesses, it is hard to see how we are going to FINANCE TREATMENT, SERVICES and SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT for Cognitive Disability without:

Better DIAGNOSTICS and TREATMENTS and
BETTER STRATEGIES for ADDRESSING EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING in Supported Employment,, Supported Entrepreneurship, and Non-Supported Employment and Entrepreneurship.

That has been and is going to continue to be a BIG FOCUS of Orchid going forward.

Homelessness, Fitting into the economy & Gifts & Challenges

12/16/2021

Well, this video started out as a fairly traditional take on Housing First and then it went into an Assault on Capitalism.

It's hard to ignore that ECONOMICS are big factors in homelessness and other social problems.

I do think that ENTREPRENEURSHIP and SUPPORTED ENTREPRENEURSHIP are pieces to the puzzle, especially in the US.

Further, HOUSING FIRST is important BUT it is also important to recognize that many of the people who are homeless have:

STRENGTHS that need to be developed and fit into the economy (it might not be working for somebody else)
AND have EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFERENCES.

This video doesn't really get into ADA (Americans with Disability Act) Employment Issues --- but they have been PROBLEMATIC especially in the COGNITIVE DISABILITY context largely for all sides.

It seems to me there is an interesting DYNAMIC going on between PERCEIVED NEURO-TYPICAL PEOPLE and PERCEIVED NEURO-DIVERSE PEOPLE.

Right now we view many people with "psychiatric disorders" has having:

"RIGID THINKING" and
"DIVERGENT THINKING"

Hmmm . . . wouldn't those generally be OPPOSITES? -- BUT

The person who is perceived to be NEURO-DIVERSE is often thinking:

this other person has really "RIGID THINKING," and
they've got their own problems.

Are they both right? I think many times they are.

The perceived NEURO-TYPICAL is often performing executive functioning issues more EFFICIENTLY AND AUTOMATICALLY than the person who is perceived to be NEURO-DIVERSE.

that NEURO-DIVERSE person is looking for ACCOMMODATIONS for things that maybe coming "more automatically" for the perceived NEURO-TYPICAL.

Second Thought:
How Finland Ended Homelessness (Sept. 2021)

On the other hand:

The Neuro-Diverse person often hasn't been able to rely on AUTOMATIC EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING to the same extent.

If they have been EDUCATED they may have a lot of "BOOK LEARNING" and even if they haven't they often have a lot of SENSORY AWARENESS (& OVERLOAD).
Their emotions are often Typical -- BUT are MORE INTENSE.
This is where we need to hang up our Mr. Spock idea of Human Reasoning (Spock was 1/2 Human) --- BECAUSE Humans need EMOTION to REASON.
If I don't have those AUTOMATIC EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS to the same extent--- I'm going to need to use a lot more of my REASON to get there.
Further, how is my body going to help me do that: It's going to turn up the inflammation
- BUT I likely already have SIGNIFICANT INFLAMMATION or I would have more TRADITIONAL EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING.
The more that INFLAMMATION gets TURNED UP--- the more I'm taking in from the environment so I can REASON --- BUT SENSORY OVERLOAD can lead to an EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD.

If you've had to do this over a lifetime, you may know that a lot of things the SOCIETY is doing are NOT REASONABLE even though your EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING may never be that of someone perceived to be more NEURO-TYPICAL.

TED-ED
The Unexpected Math Behind Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

Val's Take: An amazing and cautionary tale regarding heightened awareness

Icarus

Hodge-podge: Social Animals, the immune system, DYSREGULATIONS and the neural circuitry of sex and violence thrown in for free

11/25/2021

Conjecture

One of things that is so interesting about PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS is they are CONNECTED to how we perceive our place in the SOCIAL ORDER.
That seems so CONTRARY to my big BIOLOGICAL FOCUS --- BUT I think that SOCIAL CONCERN is HARD-WIRED into our BIOLOGY -- and surprisingly one of the places you can find it is the IMMUNE SYSTEM.

NEURO-DIVERSE People often develop BIG SUBSTANTIVE STRENGTHS to overcome EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING CHALLENGES by USING what they've got --- DIFFERENCES in INFORMATION and SENSORY PROCESSING.
- On the other hand. some of those EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING CHALLENGES are related to DIFFERENCES in INFORMATION and SENSORY PROCESSING.
  - So when LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS -- MAKE LEMONADE.

For NEURO-DIVERSE People they are also contending with EPIGENETICS and some often unwelcome POSITIVE FEEDBACK LOOPS --- yeah, I know I'm SENSITIVE -- BUT I DIDN'T THINK I WAS THAT SENSITIVE.

Low social status 'damages immune function'

Immune System Controls Social Behavior in Mice

It is NOT just the Brain & It is NOT just the Immune System

When we're talking about PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS -- it is often DYSREGULATIONS of MULTIPLE SYSTEMS of the body

The Immune System
The Brain & Central Nervous System
The Microbiome (that great diet may not help if you're so stressed out -- your system is killing all the good bacteria)
- Stress and the Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis (2019)
The Endocrine System

At this point, is it really any wonder that people might be STRUGGLING if they are trying to contend with DYSRGULATIONS of MULTIPLE SYSTEMS of their BODY.

This is author Johann Hari on human beings as SOCIAL ANIMALS. I would maintain that our BIOLOGY did EVOLVE in part to MONITOR these SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS --- and to try and change them or get the HELL OUT if it is not working.

BUT that is a lot easier said than done --- and it probably always was. When you need systemic change in MODERN SOCIETY that can often be a MULTI-GENERATIONAL TASK --- people are going to need a lot of SPIRITUAL SUPPORT for that HARD CLIMB.

For people who are NEURO-DIVERSE, the need has been for ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and BETTER DIAGNOSTICS and TREATMENT.

For people who are contending with RACIAL INJUSTICE, they may find they are also on the FRONTLINES of the FIGHT FOR HEALTH EQUITY.

"This talk focuses on how aggression circuits are organised in the brain, and their relationship to circuits that control mating behaviour."

Professor David Anderson of Cal-Tech on the Brain Circuitry of Sex and Violence at the Brain Forum in Switzerland (2016)

Rap Music and the slow pace of change

11/25/2021

I'm "pushing it" on some of this analysis -- BUT we've got some HUGE PROBLEMS as reflected by the RAP VIDEOS.
Further, unless you're searching on YouTube everyday for interesting music videos -- this may not seem like much of an issue.

BUT if you are on YouTube everyday--- like I am for this website -- You know HOW BIG RAP is and how disturbing it can be.

My concern is not so much trying to CHANGE the RAPPERS as to make the argument that our SLOW PACE OF CHANGE as a SOCIETY has FUELED and CONTINUES to FUEL an ANGRY MIRROR that is being held up to US Society.
We have primarily a religion of money and a lot of objectification of women and the RAPPERS are communicating among other things --- I can do it better than you can.
WHAT's THE POINT?
- The CHRONIC STRESS associated with Failure to Provide CHANGE -- has social consequences
- Further, CHRONIC STRESS has BIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
Further, this isn't limited to RAPPERS.
Failure to provide CHANGE ensuring the SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH is a significant contributor to inflammatory illness, including NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL and PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS.

At the end of the day to really redress the RAPPERS, we have to be OPEN to hearing their criticisms of the social and political orders they find themselves in and work with the FANS to CREATE something better. --- And the fans number in the many millions in the US if not billions globally.