Executive Order 18-03

State of Montana
Office of the Governor

Executive Order Continuing the Montana Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Advisory Council

WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (“FAS”) is the syndrome that is a pattern of birth defects and neurological damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, and is recognized as the leading cause of mental retardation and neurological dysfunction; and

WHEREAS, FAS is 100% preventable; and

WHEREAS, more than 1 million children per year are exposed to alcohol and/or illicit substances during gestation in the U.S. regardless of geographic, ethnic or socioeconomic status; and

WHEREAS, somewhere in the region including Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, a child with fetal alcohol syndrome is born every other day; and

WHEREAS, the lifetime cost of a case of FAS is $1.4 million;

and

WHEREAS, Montana State Government has a significant interest in protecting the public health; and

WHEREAS, Montana has both the opportunity and the obligation to provide a constructive response to preventing and intervening in FAS; and

WHEREAS, such a response necessarily requires the commitment and resources of all levels of government coupled with a firm partnership with the private sector in order to effectively stop the behaviors that create this problem and prevent secondary disabilities of those affected individuals; and

WHEREAS, the Four State FAS Consortium guidelines recommend that each state will organize an Advisory Council made up of key stakeholders to address the multiplicity of issues that transcend the singular responsibility of any one state agency; and

WHEREAS, the need for an advisory and leadership mechanism is critical for an effective and publicly supported response to a very serious public health issue.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JUDY MARTZ, Governor of the State of Montana, by the authority vested in me pursuant to the Montana Constitution and the laws of the State of Montana, do hereby continue the Montana Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Council (the “Council”, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2-15-122 and 2-15-102(8), MCA, for the purposes set forth below.

I.   PURPOSE:

The Council shall provide the leadership required to recommend public policy to the Governor concerning the initiation, coordination, promotion, implementation and evaluation of services and activities that can effectively arrest birth defects and neurological damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and provide interventions to prevent secondary disabilities for those that are diagnosed with the syndrome.

II.  DUTIES:

The Department of Public Health and Human Services shall organize Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Advisory Council meetings.  The Council shall meet regularly at the call of its Chair to seek information and  discuss strategies to fulfill its purpose.

III. COMPOSITION:

The Council shall consist of not more then 29 members who are appointed by the Governor and may include stakeholders representing health professionals, service providers, state agencies, tribal populations, and individuals with FAS or their families.  The names and addresses of the members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, will be submitted by separate letter to the Secretary of State.  The Department of Public Health and Human Services shall provide staff support to the Council.

IV. DURATION:

The Council shall exist for a period of two years from the effective date of this Order unless extended by subsequent Executive Order.

This order is effective immediately.