Governor's Executive Order EO/2014/008:Creating the Refugee Services Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office

This document was published in the October 15, 2014, issue (Vol. 2014, No. 20) of the Utah State Bulletin.

---

Governor, Administration: Governor's Executive Order EO/2014/008: Creating the Refugee Services Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office

Issued: September 16, 2014

---

EXECUTIVE ORDER

Creating the Refugee Services Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office

WHEREAS,there is created within the Utah Department of Workforce Services a Refugee Services Office to assist with the integration of all of the State of Utah's foreign-born refugee newcomers;

WHEREAS, there is a need to address the structural gaps and barriers to successful refugee resettlement;

WHEREAS, for the effective operation of the Refugee Services Office, there is a need to provide service coordination, accountability, advocacy and resource development for essential services to refugees in the State of Utah;

WHEREAS, to effectively represent the interests of refugees to state and local governments and to the private sector;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Utah, do hereby order the following:

1. There is established, within the Utah Department of Workforce Services, a Refugee Services Board of Advisors to provide support and advice to the Refugee Services Office:

a. The membership of the board shall represent key stakeholders in the refugee community, providers, state and local governments, and the community at large;

b. The Governor shall make appointments to the board and designate the board chair;

c. The chair shall establish the board’s agenda and meeting schedule;

d. Appointed board members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed by the Governor at any time. Appointed board members shall serve four-year terms. The Governor may adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms are staggered.

e. The board shall, as needed, create subcommittees to further the work of the board and, in particular, raise private, foundation and corporate funds to increase the services that are provided to refugees;

f. Any funds raised by the board or subcommittees shall be deposited into the Refugee Services Fund;

g. Members of the board shall receive no compensation or benefits for their services, but may receive, subject to budget availability, per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of official board duties at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Utah Code Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107. Members may decline to receive per diem and expenses for their service.

h. The board shall be staffed by the Refugee Services Office;

i. The board shall not exceed 15 voting members and shall consist of the following stakeholders, including, but not limited to:

i. The Director of the Refugee Services Office shall be an ex officio non-voting member of the board;

ii. A representative from Salt Lake County government;

iii. A representative from each of the two U.S. Department of State sanctioned refugee resettlement agencies: the International Rescue Committee and Catholic Community Services;

iv. A representative from the health provider community;

v. At least three representatives from the business community;

vi. At least three refugee leaders from the refugee community;

vii. Other stakeholders as identified by the Governor.

2. The Board of Advisors shall, as appropriate:

a. Educate policy makers and key stakeholders on critical issues related to refugees.

b. Recommend standards for services to refugee populations in the state and provide recommendations to the State Refugee Services Office;

c. Analyze the efforts by mainstream service providers to serve refugee populations and make appropriate recommendations to increase access to these services;

d. Recommend to the Refugee Services Office and local governments improvements in the service delivery system for refugees;

e. Provide a forum in which statewide refugee issues can be addressed and solutions entertained;

f. Identify service gaps and make recommendations for funding strategies, including legislative funding for refugee services;

g. Promote public awareness of refugee issues, needs and accomplishments;

3. The board shall make an annual report to the Governor on the status of refugee services, delivered by November 1.

4. This order replaces and supersedes Executive Order 2008-0002 and any other prior Executive Order establishing a board of advisors for the Refugee Services Office.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah. Done in Salt Lake City on this 16th day of September 2014.

(State Seal)

Gary R. Herbert
Governor

ATTEST:

Spencer J. Cox
Lieutenant Governor

EO/2014/008