Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children Transitional Board
WHEREAS, Vermont's children are our most precious and valued resource; and
WHEREAS, for over a decade, Vermont has been working to build a unified early care, health and education system for children and families; and
WHEREAS, through the efforts of state government, local government, businesses, communities and individuals, progress has been made to unify these services for Vermont's children and their families; and
WHEREAS, many patchwork programs, services, and funding sources still exist to support and help Vermont's children and families; and
WHEREAS, these programs, services and funding sources will prove to be more effective and efficient if they are formally unified and coordinated; and
WHEREAS, the needs of Vermont’s children and families are better served through unification and coordination not only among the various agencies and departments of the executive branch but also between the executive department and local and regional business and community partners.
NOW THEREFORE, I, James H. Douglas, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor, do hereby establish the Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children Transitional Board.
The Board shall develop recommendations for the appropriate organization of an entity comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors that will be charged with oversight and management of Building Bright Futures: Vermont’s Alliance for Children, consistent with the goals for the Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children strategic plan developed by the Access to Early Care, Education and Prevention Subcommittee of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth.
The Board shall be comprised of no more than 19 individuals including:
the Secretary of the Agency of Human Services;
the Secretary of Commerce and Community Development;
the chairperson of the State Board of Education;
the Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families;
the Commissioner of the Department of Education;
the Commissioner of the Department of Health;
three business representatives, appointed by the Governor;
three parents, appointed by the Governor, one representing families with children of special health needs;
one representative from a children's advocacy organization, appointed by the Governor;
two representatives from Vermont's regional partnerships, appointed by the Governor;
two representatives from the Early Childhood Councils, appointed by the Governor; two legislators, including one representative appointed by the Speaker of the House and one senator appointed by the Committee on Committees.
The Governor shall appoint the Chair. Each member of the Board shall attend its meetings in person and not appoint or send a designee. The Board shall meet at least bi-monthly to carry out the following responsibilities:
1. Develop a recommendation for the organization, structure, staffing and funding of a public/private entity that can most effectively manage and direct the Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children and that will assure the equitable access for all children and families seeking services, maximize existing resources in the early care, health and education system, align resources with desired outcomes in a consistent, measurable manner, and improve the well-being of Vermont's children and their families; and
2. Recommend enabling legislation necessary for the establishment and empowerment of the recommended entity for introduction in the 2005 Biennial Session of the General Assembly; and
3. Develop policies and procedures to assist with the transition to the Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children governance structure at the state and local levels; and
4. Resolve concerns that transcend departmental lines of authority.
Administrative support shall be provided by the Agency of Human Services including the provision of an employee to assist the Board with its tasks and to identify and secure sources of funding for the entity. Any acceptance of funds from public and/or private sources shall be in compliance with 32 V.S.A. §5. Members who are not state employees or whose participation is not supported through his or her employment or association may receive a per diem pursuant to 32 V.S.A. §1010 and reimbursement of expenses for attending meetings to the extent funds are available.
This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing and shall sunset upon establishment of an entity consistent with this order.
Witness my name hereunto subscribed and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont hereunto affixed at Montpelier, this 30th day of August, 2004, A.D.
James H. Douglas, Governor
By the Governor: Parker M. Riehle, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 05-04 (corrected from 04-05)