Creating a Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office, Utah Exec. Order No. 2016-3

This document was published in the May 15, 2016, issue (Vol. 2016, No. 10) of the Utah State Bulletin.

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Governor, Administration: Creating a Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office, Utah Exec. Order No. 2016-3

Issued: April 20, 2016

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

Creating a Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office

WHEREAS, Governor Jon M. Huntsman created a Refugee Services Office in the Department of Workforce Services 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 the successful resettlement of refugees;

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,

WHEREAS, there is a need to amend the previous executive order to more effectively represent the interests of refugees in state and local governments and in the private sector;

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

1) There is established a Board of Advisors in the Executive Office of the Department of Workforce Services 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 Department of Workforce Services;

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 committees and make recommendations to the Department, to further the work of the board and, in particular, to raise and direct private, foundation, and corporate funds to increase services available to refugees;

g) The board shall not exceed 20 members and shall consist of the following stakeholders, including, but not limited to:

1. a representative of the Utah Department of Human Services representing the divisions of Child and Family Services and Juvenile Justice Services;

2. a representative of the Utah Department of Health representing refugee health issues;

3. a representative of Salt Lake County government;

4. a representative of the Utah State Board of Education or a local school district representing schools with a high population of refugee children;

5. a representative of the International Rescue Committee;

6. a representative of Catholic Community Services;

7. a representative of the Asian Association of Utah;

8. a representative of the Department of Public Safety; and

9. members of the following organizations, appointed to serve staggered four-year terms:

     a. a representative of a low-income housing community;

     b. a representative of the social services community;

     c. two representatives of refugee community organizations representing refugee groups within Utah; and

     d. other stakeholders identified by the Governor.

2) As appropriate, the Board of Advisors shall:

a) Promote public awareness on refugee issues, needs and accomplishments, as well as educate key stakeholders and policy makers on critical issues related to refugees;

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

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

d) Provide a forum in which statewide refugee issues can be identified, addressed and solutions recommended;

e) Use data, reports, and other information collected to identify and prioritize service gaps. Make recommendations for funding strategies, including legislatively appropriated funding for refugee services;

f) Discuss and make recommendations regarding issues pertaining to public safety and to the safety and well-being of refugees;

g) Discuss and make recommendations regarding the successful integration of refugees into the communities of the State.

3) The Board of Advisors shall make an annual report to the Governor on the status of refugee services, delivered by December 1st of each year.

4) This order replaces and supersedes executive order 2008-0002, Creating a Board of Advisors for the Refugee Services Office.

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, Utah, this 20th day of April 2016.

(State Seal)

Gary R. Herbert
Governor

Attest:

Spencer Cox
Lieutenant Governor

2016/003/EO