Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Ninety-Sixth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date.
__________________
executive order #65
Relating to the Recreation of the Statewide Independent Living Council for Individuals with Disabilities
WHEREAS, Title VII, Section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the 1998 amendments (Public law 105-220), ("the Act") requires the Governor to establish a Statewide Independent Living Council (the "Council") consistent with the requirements of the Act; and
WHEREAS, the Council coordinates with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, as the designated state unit ("DSU") for independent living services, to promote a philosophy of independent living and empower individuals with disabilities to maximize leadership, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into society;
NOW, THEREFORE, I JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Act and the Constitution and laws of the State of Wisconsin, and to ensure compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Public Law 105-220), thereby improving the lives of Wisconsin's individuals with disabilities and independent living systems, it is hereby ordered as follows:
The Statewide Independent Living Council for the State of Wisconsin is recreated consisting of eighteen (18) members. The Governor, in accordance with the language of the Act, shall make the final selections and respective appointments to the Council, except where otherwise noted;
2.
The Council must include:
a. at least one director of a Center for Independent Living chosen by the directors of centers within the State;
b. at least one representative of the directors of native American Vocational Rehabilitation programs;and
c. as ex-officio non-voting members, a representative from the DSU and representatives from other state agencies that provide services for individuals with disabilities, including the Department of Health and Family Services, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Commerce/Bureau of Housing;
3.
The remaining eighteen (18) Council members may include other representatives from centers for independent living; parents and guardians of individuals with disabilities; advocates of and for individuals with disabilities; representatives from private businesses; representatives from organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities; and other appropriate individuals;
4.
A majority of the members and a majority of the voting members must be individuals with disabilities, as defined in 34 C.F.R. sec. 364.4(b), and not employed by any state agency or center;
5.
The Council shall be established as a private nonprofit entity incorporated in the State of Wisconsin independent from State government;
6.
Each member shall serve for a term of three years and no member of the Council may serve more than two consecutive full terms. Terms of service of the members initially appointed shall be for such fewer number of years as will provide for the expiration of terms on a staggered basis. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor was appointed, shall be appointed for the remainder of such term;
7.
The Council shall select a chairperson from among the voting membership;
8.
State agencies whose duties impact independent living services to people with disabilities shall cooperate with the DSU and Council in complying with the Act; and
9.
The Council's duties are set forth under section 705(c) of the Act and shall be the following:
a. Jointly develop and sign, in conjunction with the DSU, the State Plan, and submit the State Plan to the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA);
b. Monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of the State Plan;
c. Coordinate activities with the State Rehabilitation Council and other councils that address the needs of specific disability populations and issues under other Federal law;
d. Submit to the Commissioner of RSA such periodic reports as the Commissioner may reasonably request, and keep such records, and afford such access to such records, as the Commissioner finds necessary to verify such reports;
e. Prepare, in conjunction with the DSU, a plan for the provision of such resources, including such staff and personnel, as may be necessary and sufficient to carry out the functions of the Council;
f. Supervise and evaluate such staff and other personnel, consistent with State and Federal law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Council; and
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g. Ensure that all regularly scheduled meetings of the Council are open to the public and sufficient advance notice is provided.;
IN TESTIMONY WHERE OF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the city of Madison this sixth day of August in the year two thousand four.
JIM DOYLE
Governor
By the governor:
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
executive order #66
Relating to the Creation of the Governor's Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness
WHEREAS, the prevention of homelessness is an important goal for communities and the State of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, adequate housing and supportive services are an essential part of the health and well being of the families and residents living and working in Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, the lack of access to mainstream services such as mental health, alcohol and drug services and medical assistance are causal factors in the increase of the homeless population; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin supports more then 46 agencies that provides 480,000 nights of shelter annually; and
WHEREAS, the number of shelter providers in Wisconsin has increased by 33% since 1995 to meet the 70% increase in numbers of persons receiving emergency shelter for homelessness with at least 24,000 people being turned away due to lack of resources throughout the state during the same time; and
WHEREAS, thirty-six percent of the homeless population are children whose futures are at risk due to the interruption of stability and education during the developmental period of their lives; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin is committed to establish collaboration and lines of communication between federal, state, county, and local levels of mainstream social program service providers; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin is committed to the well-being of its families and residents by increasing the availability of affordable housing stock and by requiring social service providers to coordinate benefits and simplify access to the systems necessary to decrease the number of persons experiencing homelessness and who are at risk of becoming homeless;
NOW, THEREFORE, I JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. sec. 14.019, do hereby:
Create the Governor's Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness ("Council");
2.
Provide that the Council shall consist of not more than fifteen (15) members appointed by the Governor to serve at the pleasure of the Governor;
3.
Provide that the Governor shall designate two (2) members on the Council as chair and vice-chair to serve in this capacity at the pleasure of the Governor;
4.
Provide that the Council shall be responsible for making recommendations that would lead to:
a. Increasing the availability of and access to housing for homeless individuals and families;
b. Improving access to and expanding services for homeless individuals and families;
c. Improved coordination and planning between state departments;
d. Improved and expanded access to federal resources;
e. Enhanced homelessness prevention efforts;
