2005 Vermont Code - Exec. — Order No. 29-27. [Transfer of Property in Essex to Agency of Administration, Department of State Buildings and General Services from Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation] (7-99)

WHEREAS, people with developmental disabilities and their families often require specialized lifelong assistance; and

WHEREAS, individuals with developmental disabilities have the right to live independent, productive lives in fully integrated and inclusive communities; and

WHEREAS, programs exist to assist people with developmental disabilities and their families find appropriate services and insure that their needs are known and addressed; and

WHEREAS, effective delivery of these programs is vital to the well-being of people with developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the State of Vermont and its various departments and agencies provide services to people with developmental disabilities and their families; and

WHEREAS, coordination among these different departments and agencies is essential to insure that needed services are provided without duplication of effort; and

WHEREAS, coordination will also enhance program continuity, the effective delivery of generic services, and the general understanding of State programs for people with developmental disabilities.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, Howard Dean, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby establish the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, and do hereby order that the duties of this council are:

To develop the State plan for comprehensive services and to monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of the State plan, as well as discuss and offer comments to the Governor, through its Chair, on issues relating to people with developmental disabilities and their families.

To hire an Executive Director, funded by federal resources made available to the State of Vermont under Public Law 101-496 and its Amendments, who shall supervise the staff of the Council;

To prepare and approve a budget using amounts received by the State under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and to hire such staff and obtain the services of such professional, technical, and clerical personnel consistent with state law as the Council determines to be necessary to carry out its functions;

To submit to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services such periodic reports on the Council's activities as the Secretary may reasonably request, and keep such records and afford such access thereto as the Secretary finds necessary to verify such reports.

Membership of the Council shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Governor. The Council shall also have as members a representative from the Department of Education designated by the Commissioner, and five representatives from the Agency of Human Services designated by the Secretary of the Agency. Council members shall be individuals whose vocational or personal backgrounds are such as to comply with the Act.

Council members appointed by the Governor shall serve a three-year term, except that the appointment of five of the original members shall expire after one year and the appointment of another five of the original members shall expire after two years. The Council shall elect a Chair from among the members, subject to the approval of the Governor. The Council shall write by-laws, develop operating policies, and form such committees and task forces as may be required to undertake specific projects authorized by the council.

The Council shall be attached to the office of the Secretary of the Agency of Human Services for administrative purposes. Public members of the Council shall be entitled to appropriate support and the reimbursement of expenses. Costs will be covered by available funds received under the Act.

This Executive Order supersedes Executive Order No. 27 dated May 4, 1976 and Executive Order No. 15-93 dated November 30, 1993. The Developmental Disabilities Council established by those Executive Orders is abolished, and they are hereby replaced by the Developmental Disabilities Council established by this Executive Order.

This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing.

Dated April 20, 1994.