Governor's Executive Order 2008-0002: Creating a Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office

Issued: February 8, 2008

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

Creating a board of advisors for the Refugee Services Office

WHEREAS, there is created in the 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, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Governor of the State of Utah, by virtue of that authority invested in me by the laws and constitution of the State, hereby order the following:

1) Establish a Board of Advisors in the Executive Office of the Department of Community and Culture to provide support and advice to the Refugee Services Office:

a) The Office of the Governor shall designate the board chair and make appointments to the board;

b) The chair shall establish the board's agenda and meeting schedule;

c) The board shall be staffed by the Refugee Services Office;

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

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

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

g) The board shall not exceed 15 members and shall consist of the following stakeholders, including, but not limited to:

a representative from the Utah Department of Human Services;

a representative from the Utah Department of Health;

a representative from the Salt Lake County government;

a representative from the Utah State Office of Education;

a representative from each of the two resettlement agencies: International Rescue Committee and Catholic Community Services;

a representative from a low-income housing community, serving staggered four year terms;

a representative from the social services community, serving staggered four year terms;

representatives from two refugee mutual assistance associations, serving staggered four year terms;

other stakeholders identified by the Governor, serving staggered four year terms.

2) As appropriate, direct the Board of Advisors to:

a) Educate policy makers and key stakeholders on critical issues included in the Refugee Working Group's report and recommendations.

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

c) Assess on an annual basis the performances of refugee providers receiving state and federal funding to serve refugee populations;

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

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

f) Provide a forum in which statewide refugee issues can be addressed and solutions entertained;

g) Identify service gaps and make recommendations for funding strategies, including legislative funding for refugee services;

h) Promote public awareness of refugee issues, needs and accomplishments;

3) Request the Board of Advisors to make an annual report to the Governor on the status of refugee services, delivered by November 1.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah. Done at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City, this 8th day of February, 2008.

(State Seal)

Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor

Attest:

Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor

2008/0002

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