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.
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GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT
SEAL of the State of Montana,
this ___ day of __________, 2003.
JUDY MARTZ, Governor
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ATTEST:
BOB BROWN, Secretary of State
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