EXECUTIVE ORDER
03-02

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 created pursuant to Section 660.010, RSMo, within the Department of Social Services; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Child Support Enforcement is created pursuant to Section 454.400, RSMo, within the Department of Social Services; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Family Services, Income Maintenance Unit serves clients who are also served by the Division of Child Support Enforcement; and

WHEREAS, federal law establishes the child support program and other public assistance programs, separately; and

WHEREAS, by combining the public assistance programs, such as food stamps, temporary assistance, rehabilitation services for the blind, general relief, supplemental nursing care assistance, medical assistance eligibility, and energy assistance, and the child support enforcement program, Missouri could operate more efficiently and effectively; and

WHEREAS, I am committed to integrating executive branch operations to improve the way the state delivers services; and

WHEREAS, the transfer of these functions to a new Family Support Division within the Department of Social Services is a component of the Governor's Reorganization Plan of 2003, which is designed to streamline state government and make it as efficient as possible.

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 establish the Family Support Division within the Department of Social Services and order the Department to:

  1. Utilize the Family Support Division as the vehicle through which economies and efficiencies of scale are maximized by combining certain child support functions with certain income maintenance functions; 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 into the Family Support Division, except individualized assessment for work readiness, work readiness training, child welfare functions, early childhood, and child care assistance, by Type I transfer, as defined under the Reorganization Act of 1974; and
  3. Transfer all authority, powers, duties, functions, records, personnel, property, contracts, budgets, matters pending, and other pertinent vestiges of the Division of Child Support Enforcement to the Family Support Division, except the parents' fair share program, by Type I transfer, as defined under the Reorganization Act of 1974; 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.

[Bob Holden's signature]
Bob Holden
Governor

ATTEST:

[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
Secretary of State

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