WHEREAS, the New
Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services in the Department of Human
Services will undergo federal review of its agency under the Children
and Family Services Review ("CFSR") conducted by the United States Department
of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
beginning with a self assessment in 2003 and an onsite review in or about
March 2004; and
WHEREAS, the CFSR
monitors and evaluates the State's child and family services, including
protective services, family preservation and support, foster care, independent
living and adoption services; and
WHEREAS, the New
Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services is establishing a steering
committee for the participation of external stakeholders as required by
the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, and has commenced the preparation for the CFSR;
and
WHEREAS, a portion
of the CFSR will monitor and evaluate systematic factors, such as service
array accessibility to such circumstances as domestic violence and substance
abuse; and
WHEREAS, there exists
involvement of all branches of government and multiple levels within these
branches of government in circumstances such as domestic violence and
substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, September
is Substance Abuse Awareness Month and October is Domestic Violence Awareness
Month; and
WHEREAS, the Governor
has expressed his strong support of the improvement of services for New
Jersey's children and families; and
WHEREAS, the Governor
has expressed his commitment to partner with other branches of government
to work collaboratively to improve the services New Jersey provides to
its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature
has expressed a desire to partner with the Department of Human Services
to conduct its own review of the interplay between domestic violence and
the welfare of children and families and the interplay between substance
abuse and the welfare of children and families;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, 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:
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The Commissioner
may jointly conduct hearings with the Legislature where joint invitations
are sent to interested parties for participation in two hearings;
one involving the interplay between domestic violence and the welfare
of children and families, the other involving the interplay between
substance abuse and the welfare of children and families.
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The Commissioner,
in cooperation with the Legislature, may establish two separate work
groups, one for domestic violence and one for substance abuse, the
membership of which shall be comprised of persons jointly recommended,
representatives of various branches of government, various State departments,
community providers, advocacy groups, and interested parties, provided
that at least two persons from the existing steering committee formed
by the Division of Youth and Family Services under the CFSR, shall
be a member of each work group to facilitate shared ideas, to avoid
duplication and to promote cooperative endeavors for the common goal.
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Within one year,
the work groups shall present a joint report to the Commissioner and
the Legislature in open session, focusing on how the various branches
and levels of government, the various State departments, the multitude
of community partners, advocacy groups and interested parties can
be instrumental in the Division of Youth and Family Services better
serving the interests of children and families through implementation
of initiatives regarding issues of domestic violence and substance
abuse, across systems in a collaborative fashion. The report shall
include, but not be limited to, recommendations regarding modifications
of existing policies/procedures and legislation/regulations, as well
as interdepartmental and advocacy group partnerships, as may be applicable.
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This Order shall
take effect immediately.
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GIVEN, under
my hand and seal, this
23rd day of October in the Year of
Our Lord, Two Thousand Two, and
of the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh.
/s/ James
E. McGreevey
Governor
[seal]
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Attest:
/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor