Executive Order

EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING A STATEWIDE GOVERNOR'S FAS/FAE ADVISORY COUNCIL

WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), 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, yet is 100% preventable, and more than 1 million children per year are exposed to alcohol and/or illicit substances during gestation in the US stretching from border to border and across demographic categories, and somewhere in the region including Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is born every other day, and every seven hours a child is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE), and 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 FAE; 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 a Statewide FAS/FAE 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 by Article VI, Section 4 of the Montana Constitution, and Section 2-15-201, MCA, do hereby establish the Governor's Statewide Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Council.

I. PURPOSE

The Council shall provide the leadership required to recommend public policy to the Governor and Department Directors 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 a statewide Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Advisory Council meetings. In addition, the Department of Public Health and Human Services shall organize a statewide Native American subcommittee, where two members will be appointed by each of the elected councils of each tribal nation, and a Family Advocacy and Support subcommittee, whose members will be interested parents, and affected individuals; and each subcommittee will select two members to serve on the Statewide FAS Advisory Council; These groups shall submit recommendations for a comprehensive intervention plan for Montana for FAS prevention and intervention to the Department for review and response.

The Council shall meet regularly at the call of its Chair to seek information, discuss strategies to fulfill its purpose and act in its discretion to carry out the decisions it reaches.

III. COMPOSITION

The Council shall consist of not more than 24 members. The names and addresses of members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, are submitted by separate letter to the Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Secretary of State. Staff support shall be provided by the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

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.

	GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana, this ___ day of __________, 2001. JUDY MARTZ, Governor
ATTEST: BOB BROWN, Secretary of State