EXECUTIVE ORDER  73-04

ESTABLISHING A CHILD DEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROJECT

WHEREAS, all children of the State of Washington are our most valuable resource; and

Children and family units are an essential and integral part of our community structure and growth; and

There are presently many public and private programs to assist the basic family unit in providing increased opportunities for children; and

There is a need to eliminate gaps and duplications in available services and programs; and

There is an increasing need to provide for the coordination and enhancement of services now being provided by various state agencies; and

There is a need to focus attention on more effectively utilizing public and private resources to provide for the growth of children and strengthen the family unit at the state and community level; and

It is the responsibility of the State of Washington to enhance the quality of life for all children in family units through their active participation and involvement;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Daniel J. Evans, Governor of the State of Washington, by the authority vested in me be law, do hereby assign to the Office of Community Development responsibility for Child Development Planning within the State of Washington.

The Child Development Planning Project shall carry out all necessary activities that provide for the coordination, enhancement and promulgation of programs and services for all children and family units within our communities so as to guarantee a fair and maximum opportunity for every child to reach his full potential through the expanded and most effective utilization of public and private resources, insuring an increased quality of life for our future.

The Child Development Planning Project shall address itself to developing, coordinating and enhancing programs and services, conducted full or part time in special facilities, schools, group centers or homes which provide for strengthening and supporting the family unit and children in their essential care and development of physical, social, emotional and educational skills. These programs shall include are not necessarily limited to the care and development of the child through services which enhance or supplement the family unit by providing for: family planning, prenatal care, health and nutrition services, homemaker services, child care and development programs in or out of the home for a portion of a 24-hour day, educational services not directly related to the common schools and all supporting services necessary to the adequate implementation of the above programs and services.

The Child Development Planning Project shall consist of a Coordinator, an Interagency Task Force consisting of at least one representative from each state agency providing services and programs for the care and development of children and family units, and a State Council for Children.

The Coordinator shall be designated by the Director of the Office of Community Development. The Coordinator shall serve as chairperson on the Interagency Task Force, and shall provide staff services to the Council for Children. The Office of Community Development shall have the power to enter into agreements with state agencies to utilize available resources to execute the intent of this Order.

The Interagency Task Force shall consist of at least one program staff person from each state agency which has responsibility for parent and children's programs, and such other non-agency people as the Coordinator may request. It shall be the responsibility of the Interagency Task Force to facilitate interagency coordination of programs and agency participation in all activities that relate to the purposes of this Order.

The Governor's Council for Children shall be appointed by, and serve at the discretion of the Governor. The Council will be composed of fifteen members who represent the varied geographical, governmental, social and economic interests of the State. The council shall be an advisory body to the Governor, the Interagency Task Force and the Coordinator. The Council shall have authority to serve as a forum for the discussion of child development programs and problems for elected officials, public and private agencies and the general public; recommend priorities for child development planning; and review and make recommendations on actions initiated under this Order. The Council for Children shall succeed to the duties of the present State 4-Cs Council upon appointment of council members. Until that time the State 4-Cs Council shall be responsible for carrying out the functions of the council for Children as described in this Executive Order.

The Child Development Planning Project, in cooperation and coordination with existing state agencies and established advisory committees operating under federal and state mandate, shall:

1. Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive child care development plan for all children, ages 0 through 18, with special emphasis on children through the age of 6, which shall include provisions for:

a) Inventorying all services available to children and family units;

b) Developing a statewide needs assessment for all children;

c) Identifying gaps and duplication of services;

d) Insuring community participation by local jurisdiction officials, agencies, consumers, providers, and citizen groups in the planning process;

e) Coordinating, integrating, and supplementing established planning processes utilized by existing federal, state, and local governmental bodies to develop a comprehensive plan;

f) Coordinating and integrating the plan with all other human resources planning mechanisms at the state level and legislation related to the health, education, and welfare of children.

g) Facilitating the review of the relation to the Comprehensive Child Care Development Plan, of programs, advisory committees, local designated jurisdictions, and the Council guaranteeing the involvement of consumers and providers in the review process.

2. Work with units of local government, planning units and community groups to establish advisory committees for children.

3. Coordinate the integration of public and private children's programs through state agencies. The Coordinator shall also provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions and community groups in developing, coordinating, integrating and funding programs at the community level.

4. Maximize the effective utilization of federal, state, local, public, and private resources to address the needs of children.

5. Work with state and local educational institutions to develop and expand the utilization of resources to meet the nee~s of parenting functions and children.

6. Coordinate the evaluation and monitoring of children's programs among the various state and local agencies and appropriate advisory committees, insuring that there is a self-evaluation component within all monitoring and evaluating of programs by the recipients of said programs.

7. Administer funds which are, or may become, available under state and federal programs pertaining to the development of family units and children, and determine the administering entity for such programs where they do not logically reside in any one existing state agency.

8. Coordinate, sponsor, and promote research in the filed of children's needs and programs.

9. Coordinate and promote training programs for paraprofessional and professional staff of child development programs.

10. Develop a program, in participation with other state agencies, inform the public as to the needs and availability of child and parenting programs and services.

11. Prepare and submit, when appropriate, reports to the Governor, Legislature and the public on the status of legislation and programs affecting children and recommend such programs and legislation as will enhance the growth of children and family units.

12. Perform such other duties as may be consistent with the overall purposes of this order.

The effective date of this Executive Order shall be July 1, 1973.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the State of
Washington to be affixed at Olympia this
31st day of May A.D., Nineteen hundred and seventy-three.

Daniel J. Evans
Governor of Washington

BY THE GOVERNOR:



Secretary of State

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