Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 449

STATE OF DELAWARE

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

DOVER

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER SEVENTY

TO: HEADS OF ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, CHAIRPERSONS OF COUNCILS/COMMISSIONS RELATED TO THE HANDICAPPED

RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS

WHEREAS, the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals in which a delegation of distinguished Delawareans participated, has made significant recommendations to improve the capacity of persons with disabilities to live with full satisfaction in our society; and

WHEREAS, these recommendations have recently been forwarded to the States in the form of an Implementation Plan; and

WHEREAS, this Implementation Plan needs to be officially distributed to appropriate Departments, Agencies, Councils and Commissions of the State of Delaware to mark the importance of its development; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to fix responsibility among these specific Departments, Agencies, Councils and Commissions for reviewing the recommendations for State action contained in this Implementation Plan, for evaluating Delaware's progress to date in meeting these recommendations, and for translating them, into administrative changes or legislative recommendations; and

WHEREAS, there is no existing mechanism broad enough to coordinate the State's activities in implementing this Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PIERRE S. du PONT, IV, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby order and declare as follows:

1. Commendation: The members of Delaware's delegation to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals are hereby commended for their good and diligent service.

2. Plan Distribution: The Implementation Plan of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals is hereby officially received by me today from the Delaware delegates to that Conference and ordered to be forwarded to all appropriate Departments, Agencies, Councils and Commissions.

3. Assigning Responsibility: Responsibility among specific State Departments, Agencies, Councils and Commissions for reviewing the recommendations for State action contained in this Implementation Plan, for evaluating Delaware's progress to date in meeting these recommendations, and for translating them into administration changes and legislative recommendations shall be assigned by the Office of Management, Budget and Planning in cooperation with the relevant Departments, Agencies, Councils and Commissions.

4. Reporting Dates: A preliminary report of each Department's, Agency's, Council's, or Commissions' assessment of the recommended State actions assigned to it shall be prepared for review by the Task Force for the Implementation of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals by March 30,1979.

5. Establishment of Task Force: There is hereby established a Governor's Task Force for the Implementation of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals.

A. Membership

1. Appointed members: There shall be sixteen members of the committee appointed by the Governor. Of this membership, at least one-half shall be composed of people who are handicapped. The remainder shall be composed of persons who are parents or guardians of a handicapped individual, who provide services to the handicapped, or who have long-standing involvement in programs for the handicapped. From this number, the Governor will designate one member to be Chairperson and another to be Vice Chairperson of the Committee.

2. Ex-Officio Members: The Secretaries of Health and Social Services and of Labor, the Superintendent 'of Public Instruction, or their delegates, and a representative of the Office of the Governor and of the Office of Management, Budget and Planning shall be ex-officio members with full rights and privileges.

3. Technical Assistance: Such other individuals within and without State government who are qualified by training or experience may be asked by the Chairperson of the Committee to provide information and advice.

B. Duties:

1. Study and evaluate the reports prepared by the various State
Departments, Agencies, Councils and Commissions in response to this order.

2. Recommend to the Governor (and all State Departments,
Agencies, Councils and Commissions) a plan for implementing the recommended State actions contained in the Implementation Plan of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals. This plan shall contain suggested triorities and deadlines for accomplishment of necessary tasks.

3. Aid in the increased flow of information and cooperation from all
organizations and individuals whose assistance is deemed essential in meeting the goals and missions of the Implementation Plan of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals.

4. Carry out such other tasks as the Governor from time to time
may deem necessary and appropriate.

C. Staffing: Initial staffing will be provided by the Office of Management, Budget and Planning. Employees of other State Agencies, Councils or Commissions may be requested by the Chairperson to assist as necessary.

8. Effective Date and Duration: This Executive Order shall be effective February 20, 1979, and shall continue in effect for a period of one year.

Approved this 5th day of March, 1979.

(GREAT SEAL) PIERRE S. DU PONT, IV

Governor

Attest:

GLENN C. KENTON Secretary of State