State of New Jersey
Executive Order #102

Governor James J. Florio

This Executive Order rescinds Order #35 (Kean).

WHEREAS, on March 14, 1983, the Governor's Committee on Children's Services Planning was created by Executive Order No. 35 (Kean) in order to make recommendations to improve the quality of services for the children and youth of this State; and

WHEREAS, in January 1993, I created a Cabinet Task Force on Children and Families in order to promote interagency coordination in the development of children's policy; and

WHEREAS, the composition and work of the Governor's Committee on Children's Services Planning should be adjusted to better coordinate its functions with those of the Cabinet Task Force on Children and Families in order to further promote interagency coordination in the development of children's policy and systemic initiatives that would more effectively and efficiently serve youth and their families; and

WHEREAS, with its revised membership and charge, the Governor's Committee on Children's Services Planning should become an even more valuable source of public input and should be able to contribute more effectively toward interagency coordination in promoting the healthy development of our children;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. Executive Order No. 35 (Kean) is hereby rescinded.

2. There is hereby established the Governor's Committee on Children's Services Planning (hereinafter referred to as the Committee), which shall:

a. Annually, on or before September 1, submit formal recommendations to the Cabinet Task Force on Children and Families (hereinafter referred to as the Cabinet Task Force), and the Governor regarding priorities for the State budget for the next fiscal year.

b. Advise the Governor, the Cabinet Task Force and FamilyNet on the coordination of children's service.

c. Research successful strategies to promote the healthy development of our children and share its findings with the Cabinet Task Force and the Governor.

d. Assess the delivery of services to children and families in the State in order to identify emergent needs and recommend ways to improve the quality and efficiency of these services.

e. Issue an annual report on the condition of children in New Jersey.

f. Provide other information on children's services as the Governor may request.

3. The Committee shall be composed of twenty-five individuals appointed by the Governor from among persons who have distinguished records in serving youth and their families and who represent a broad range of community institutions and services.

a. Members shall serve for terms of four years, except that, of the initial appointees pursuant to this Executive Order, six of the members shall serve for terms of one year; six of the members shall serve for terms of two years; six of the members shall serve for terms of three years; and the remaining members shall serve for terms of four years.

b. Any individual appointed to fill an unexpired term shall serve for the unexpired portion of the term.

4. The Governor shall designate two members of the Committee to serve as co-chairs. The Committee may further organize itself in any manner it deems appropriate and enact by-laws as deemed necessary to carry forth the responsibilities of the Committee.

5. The Committee shall set its own schedule for meetings as it deems necessary to complete its work but shall meet with the chair of the Cabinet Task Force at least once a year and shall meet with the members of FamilyNet at least four times a year.

6. In performing its work, the Committee shall work with other existing bodies in the State designed to coordinate children's policy, including but not limited to the Cabinet Task Force and FamilyNet. The Committee may draw upon the assistance of any department, agency or instrumentality of the State which may be made available to it for these purposes.

7. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
24th day of September in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety-Three, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Eighteenth.

/s/ Jim Florio
Governor

Attest:

/s/ Scott A. Weiner
Chief Counsel to the Governor