EXECUTIVE
ORDER
03-03
WHEREAS, the Department of Social
Services is created pursuant to Article IV, Section 12, of the Missouri
Constitution and Chapter 660, RSMo; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Family
Services is assigned to the Department of Social Services pursuant to Section
660.010, RSMo; and
WHEREAS, a
number of efforts are being made to address problems that have been identified
with Missouri’s current child welfare system; and
WHEREAS, in
September 2002, I appointed Richard C. Dunn and Judge Frank Conley to conduct
an investigation into the Greene County child welfare system; and
WHEREAS, in
November 2002, Mr. Dunn and Judge Conley completed their Report of the Investigation of the Child Welfare System in Greene
County; and
WHEREAS,
the child welfare system in this state requires immediate attention in order to
avoid a greater breakdown in services and other serious problems; and
WHEREAS, I
recently established the Office of Child Welfare Ombudsman within the Office of
Administration by Executive Order 02-22; and
WHEREAS, streamlining children’s
services, and all of the functions related to them, will increase the focus on
child protection; and
WHEREAS, every
child in Missouri is entitled to a safe place to live.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BOB HOLDEN, GOVERNOR
OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the
Constitution and the Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby create and
establish the Children’s Division within the Department of Social Services and
order the Department to:
1.
Ensure the Children’s Division is focused on protecting
children in the state’s care and identifying children at risk of abuse or
neglect; and
2.
Transfer all authority, powers, duties, functions, records,
personnel, property, contracts, budgets, matters pending, and other pertinent
vestiges of the Division of Family Services relating to child welfare, child
protection, child care assistance, and early childhood to the Children’s
Division, by Type I transfer, as defined under the Reorganization Act of 1974; and
3.
Implement recommendations found in the Report of the Investigation of the Child Welfare System in Greene
County; and
4.
Take the steps necessary to maintain compliance with federal
requirements, such as filing a state plan amendment, so as not to jeopardize
federal financial participation.
This Order shall become effective no
sooner than August 28, 2003 unless disapproved within sixty days of its
submission to the First Regular Session of the 92nd General
Assembly.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of
the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson on this 5th day of
February, 2003.
ATTEST: