EXECUTIVE ORDER 2003-4 THE GOVERNOR'S CHILDREN'S CABINET WHEREAS, improving services to children in the areas of education, health, safety and general welfare is essential to the vitality and future of the State of Arizona; and WHEREAS, the well-being of Arizona children is affected by multiple programs and services provided by various state agencies; and WHEREAS, state and governmental programs must collaboratively develop and implement effective, efficient and coordinated service delivery for children; and WHEREAS, every state agency and state program that has an impact on children must implement a best interest of the child standard for the policies they adopt; and WHEREAS, it is critical to Arizona children that issues affecting their well-being be considered at the highest level of government policy decisions; NOW,THEREFORE, I, Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona, hereby order as follows: 1. There is established a Children's Cabinet to focus attention and resources on problems facing Arizona's youngest citizens by collaborating and promoting coordinated policies and service delivery systems that support children, families and communities, and, 2. There is established an Advisory Commission on Child Protective Services (CPS) Reform to make recommendations to the Governor and the Children's Cabinet on how Arizona can carry out its mission of serving the best interests of children, particularly those in greatest need of protection. 3. The Children's Cabinet shall: a. Advise and make recommendations to the Governor on the most effective policies and programs that promote the best interests of Arizona children. b. Develop a coordinated inter-agency strategy for serving abused and neglected children with more effective and efficient service delivery, including coordination of behavioral health services, education services, health care services, substance abuse services and child welfare. c. Develop a plan for maximizing Arizona's share of federal funds for programs that support Arizona children.
4. Members of the Children's Cabinet shall include: a. The Governor. b. The Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) or his/her designee. c. The Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) or his/her designee. d. The Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or his/her designee. e. The Superintendent of Public Instruction or his/her designee. f. The Director of the Department of Juvenile Corrections or his/her designee. g. The Director of the Arizona Department of Adult Corrections or his/her designee. h. The Chair of the Arizona Supreme Court's Committee on Juvenile Courts or his/her designee. i. The Executive Director of the Governor's Community Policy Office. j. The Director of the Governor's Division for Children. k. The Governor's Human Services Policy Advisors. 5. Members of the Advisory Commission on CPS Reform shall be appointed by the Governor and include: a. The Director of the Division for Children, Youth and Families within DES. b. The Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services within DHS. c. The Deputy Director of AHCCCS. d. The Associate Superintendent of Public Instruction. e. Two members of the Arizona State House of Representatives with demonstrated interest and expertise in child welfare and CPS. f. Two members of the Arizona State Senate with demonstrated interest and expertise in child welfare and CPS. g. Two representatives from law enforcement. h. Six public members who are community, business or faith-based leaders. In addition, the judiciary will be invited to designate two representatives from the courts. 6. The chairs of the Children's Cabinet and the Advisory Commission on CPS Reform shall be appointed by the Governor; and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. 7. The Advisory Commission on CPS Reform shall conclude its work by June 30, 2003. 8. The Governor may add additional members to the Children's Cabinet and the
Advisory Commission on CPS Reform at her discretion. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona.
GOVERNOR
DONE at the Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference in Mesa on this ninth day of January Two Thousand Three and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh. ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
