Governor's Executive Order 2007-0005: Constituting the Governor's Child and Family Cabinet Council

Issued: June 5, 2007

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

Whereas, the children of Utah are our future and investing in their general welfare, safety and livelihood are of utmost priority;

Whereas, the children of Utah are our future work force in whom we will rely on to keep Utah competitive in the global economy;

Whereas, the protection of children and strengthening of families is of concern and responsibility of all Utah citizens;

Whereas, school readiness or students prepared entering kindergarten ready to learn are more likely to be reading at grade level by the end of third grade, are more likely to have successful school experiences and are more likely to graduate from high school and participate in college;

Whereas, statistics show the threat to Utah's children and families, which cross over several program lines and consume considerable amounts of resources to combat, is real. Statistics show:

-the Division of Child and Family Services receives 41.8 abuse allegations per 1,000 Utah children,

-domestic violence related child abuse continues to be the most prevalent form of child abuse in Utah,

-the incidence of sexual abuse of children follows as the second most common form of abuse,

-60% of children in the Division of Child and Family Services' custody are there due to substance abuse by the caregiver as a contributing factor,

-87% of Utah victims of rape experienced their first sexual assault before age 18;

Whereas, domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive tactics that can include physical, psychological, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person against a cohabitant with the goal of control and power over the victim;

Whereas, sexual violence is defined as one person forcing another person to have sex or perform sexual acts through coercion, manipulation, threats, physical restraint or physical violence;

Whereas, existing programs that protect families and maintain child safety and well being are dependent on broad community support;

Whereas, early childhood programs and services are critical to the healthy development of children and such programs can serve as an early warning system to respond and intervene before problems occur,

Whereas, a proactive and coordinated approach to issues surrounding children and families is needed statewide;

NOW THERFORE, I, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Governor of the State of Utah, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Utah, hereby constitute a council to be known as the Governor's Child and Family Cabinet Council and hereby appoint the following persons to that council:

(a) the Governor of Utah

(b) the Legal Counsel to the Governor of Utah

(c) the Executive Director of Department of Human Services

(d) the Executive Director of Department of Health

(e) the Executive Director of Department of Workforce Services

(f) the Executive Director of Department of Corrections

(g) the Director of Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice

(h) the Director for Education to the Governor of Utah

(i) the Administrator for Administrative Office of the Courts

(j) the Attorney General of Utah

(k) the Director of the Guardian Ad Litem

(l) a community representative with broad social services experience

(m) a representative from Primary Children Medical Center

Members serving on the council from the Executive Branch shall serve so long as they occupy the indicated position in state government. If their employment in state government in the indicated capacity is terminated, their membership on the Council shall automatically be terminated.

Two members shall be members of the Utah State Legislature, one from each House, appointed respectively by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.

(a) the Legislative members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years and may be reappointed for one succeeding two-year term.

The Governor shall appoint a chair of the Cabinet Council from among its members. The Cabinet Council may establish additional subcommittees as the council deems necessary.

The Cabinet Council shall meet at a minimum twice per year to hear reports on the status of Utah's children and families.

Existing councils on substance abuse prevention, domestic violence, sexual violence, child maltreatment, early childhood education and intervention and FACT shall provide an annual written report to the Cabinet Council on the outcomes regarding children and families.

The Cabinet Council's primary functions shall be as follows:

(a) inventory current efforts and common outcomes among programs dealing with child maltreatment and family dysfunction, rape and sexual assault of children and adults, domestic violence, substance abuse prevention and early childhood education and intervention,

(b) inventory funding stream requirements,

(c) inventory and analyze similar prevention integration efforts in other states,

(d) develop integrated policies and procedures reflecting best practices across funding streams,

(e) identify funding streams that address cross cutting prevention,

(f) identify new funding sources for one evidence based cross cutting prevention model in Utah,

(g) issue recommendations regarding resource allocation to maintain positive outcomes for children;

(h) receive reports from the Department of Human Services' Office of Service Review on child and family status and review data on child well being in Utah, including annual written reports on the results of the Division of Child and Family Services' qualitative and quantitative review results regarding care, permanency and other child outcomes;

(j) receive annual written reports on fatalities regarding trends and analysis on decreasing fatalities relating to children and/or abusive/violent acts;

(k) the Cabinet Council shall track child and family well-being and outcomes, review progress or decline of outcomes and work toward possible solutions.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand and cause to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah. Done at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 5th day of June, 2007.

(State Seal)

Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor

Attest:

Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor

2007/0005

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