EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96 - 2

Louisiana Interagency Action Council for the Homeless

WHEREAS: the number of homeless persons and families in the nation and this state has increased in recent years; and

WHEREAS: the causes of homelessness are many and complex and homeless individuals have diverse needs; and

WHEREAS: effective use of the state's resources and programs to alleviate the plight of homeless persons requires coordination of efforts by interested persons, agencies and organizations, both public and private, including participation at the federal, state and local levels;

NOW THEREFORE I, MURPHY J. FOSTER, JR., Governor of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: There shall be created the Louisiana Interagency Action Council for the Homeless. The council shall consist of:

  • 1. one representative from each of the following agencies, appointed by the secretary, assistant secretary, executive director or chairman of each respective agency:

  • A. Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing;

  • B. Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health;

  • C. Department of Health and Hospitals (one representative each from the Office of Mental Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse);

  • D. Department of Social Services, Office of Community Services (one representative each from the Divisions of Child Welfare and Grants Management);

  • E. Department of Social Services, Rehabilitation Services;

  • F. Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support;

  • G. Department of Labor;

  • H. Department of Education;

  • I. Louisiana Housing Finance Agency;

  • J. Office of Elderly Affairs;

  • K. Office of Veterans Affairs;

  • L. Governor's Office of Women's Services;

  • M. Department of Public Safety and Corrections (one representative each from the Office of Adult Services and the Office of Juvenile Services);

    •
  • 2. one member of the Drug Policy Board (or appropriate board/commission in the area of drug prevention and treatment), appointed by the governor;

  • 3. three members representing providers of services to the homeless, appointed by the governor;

  • 4. two members representing local government agencies, appointed by the governor;

  • 5. two members representing local advocacy groups for populations affected by homelessness, appointed by the governor;

  • 6. two members of the state legislature (one member of the House of Representatives, designated by the speaker of the house; and one member of the Senate, designated by the president of the senate), appointed by the governor;

  • 7. one member representing the governor's executive office;

  • 8. one member representing the nonprofit legal services of Louisiana, appointed by the governor;

  • 9. four at-large members, appointed by the governor.
    • A member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing official or until termination of the member's employment with the entity the member represents.

    The council shall meet at least quarterly but as necessary to conduct its activities.

    The agencies, departments and entities represented on the council may provide technical assistance and support as are available and deemed necessary by the council. The council shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members.

    SECTION 2: The Interagency Action Council for the Homeless shall:

  • 1. conduct an annual assessment and evaluation of service needs and resources for the homeless of the state;

  • 2. research and assist in the development of funding resources for homeless services;

  • 3. insure the services for all homeless persons of the state are appropriately planned and coordinated thereby reducing duplication among programs and activities by state agencies and other providers of services. The council shall participate in the development of all planning related to the McKinney Act;

  • 4. monitor and evaluate assistance to homeless persons provided by all levels of government and the private sector and make or recommend policy changes to improve such assistance;

  • 5. assure flow of information among separate service providers, government agencies and appropriation authorities;

  • 6. disseminate timely information of federal, state or private resources available to assist the homeless population;

  • 7. consult and coordinate all activities with the Federal Interagency Council for the Homeless, HUD and all other federal agencies that provide assistance to the homeless;

  • 8. submit an annual report of its activities to the governing bodies of the agencies represented on the council;

  • 9. at least 30 days prior to the opening of the legislative session, the council shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature recommending improvements to the service delivery system for the homeless. The report shall also detail any actions taken by the council to improve the provision of services for the homeless. The report may also include recommendations to improve the operation of the council.

    •  SECTION 3: This Executive Order shall remain in effect until amended, modified, or rescinded by operation of law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 7th day of February, 1996.

    M. J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
    Governor

    ATTEST BY
    THE GOVERNOR
    Fox McKeithen
    Secretary of State