New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 7 - Executive Orders (David A. Paterson) › Section 7.12 - Executive order no. 12: establishing the new york state council on returning veterans and their families

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, thousands of New York State residents are veterans
					 who have served in armed conflicts over the last several decades, including
					 Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq;
					 and
WHEREAS, many currently deployed military personnel,
					 including National Guard and Reserve members, will return from ongoing
					 conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of veterans who served on
					 active duty in armed hostilities are at risk to return home with - or later
					 develop - physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental illnesses and/or
					 substance abuse disorders, including but not limited to traumatic brain injury
					 and post traumatic stress disorder, impacting not only those veterans but their
					 families as well; and
WHEREAS, it is important to assure that all available
					 resources are marshaled to help returning veterans and their families in
					 addressing these challenges; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to ensure that federal, state and
					 other funding and service resources which are or become available to help
					 veterans and their families, especially those experiencing multiple challenges,
					 are coordinated as well as possible and used in the most effective and
					 efficient manner; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that veterans and their families
					 are aware of and have access to such resources and services; and
WHEREAS, increased public awareness of the sacrifices and
					 needs of returning veterans and their families is essential to help returning
					 veterans transition back into their home communities and workplaces; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DAVID A. PATERSON, Governor of the State
					 of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
					 Laws of the State of New York do hereby order as follows:
1. There is hereby established the New York
				  State Council on Returning Veterans and Their Families (the Council).
2. The members of the Council shall consist
				  of the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs, the Commissioner of the
				  Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Commissioner of the
				  Department of Health, the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, the
				  Adjutant General of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and the
				  Commissioner of the Department of Labor, or their designees, and two additional
				  members appointed by the Governor, including one representative of local
				  government and one veteran or family member of a veteran. The Director of the
				  Division of Veterans' Affairs or a designee thereof shall serve as the Chair of
				  the Council.
3. A majority of the
				  members of the Council shall constitute a quorum and all recommendations of the
				  Council shall require approval of a majority of the total members of the
				  Council.
4. No member of the
				  Council shall be disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor
				  shall he or she forfeit any such office or employment by virtue of his or her
				  appointment hereunder. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for
				  their services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
				  incurred in the performance of their functions hereunder. All members of the
				  Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and vacancies shall be
				  filled by the Governor.
5. The
				  Council is charged with developing recommendations for a comprehensive State
				  strategy to accomplish the following:
a.
				  Increase public awareness of the needs of returning veterans and their families
				  and the value that veterans offer to communities as a result of their
				  service;
b. Conduct education and
				  outreach to ensure that veterans and their families are aware of available
				  resources and services to help them address physical health and mental health
				  and substance abuse problems resulting from active duty;
c. Properly identify veterans and their
				  families and ensure that they are aware of and have access to available
				  benefits and services;
d. Identify
				  and eliminate barriers to the prompt and accurate diagnosis of physical
				  disabilities, medical conditions, mental illnesses and/or substance abuse
				  disorders affecting returning veterans and their families;
e. Identify and eliminate barriers to service
				  so that veterans, particularly those with more than one disability or
				  condition, have sufficient access to needed resources and services;
f. Encourage the development of a viable
				  referral network, including peer-to-peer systems;
g. Maximize the resources available to help
				  returning veterans and their families address physical disabilities, medical
				  conditions, mental illnesses and/or substance abuse disorders arising from
				  active service, including funding and services available through federal, state
				  and non-governmental sources; and
h. Coordinate resources and services
				  available for returning veterans and their families that address physical
				  disabilities, medical conditions, mental illnesses and/or substance abuse
				  disorders resulting from active duty to maximize efficiency and
				  effectiveness.