WHEREAS, improving services to children in the areas of health, education, safety and general welfare is essential for their well-being and future and the success and development of this State; and

WHEREAS, the needs of children are increasingly complex, and the networks of services available to them are managed by a myriad of agencies, often with differing goals and objectives; and

WHEREAS, the foundation of human development is formed during a child's earliest years, and early childhood development requires a comprehensive, coordinated approach to a child's care and learning; and

WHEREAS, governmental programs must collaboratively develop and implement effective, efficient and coordinated service delivery to ensure that all of New York's children are given an equal opportunity to reach their full potential; and

WHEREAS, it is vital that New York State be made a better place for our children to grow up and live their lives; and

WHEREAS, it is critical to New York State children that issues affecting their well being be considered at the highest level of State government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Eliot Spitzer, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:

1. There is hereby established the Governor's Children's Cabinet (“Children's Cabinet”).

2. The Children's Cabinet shall consist of members appointed by the Governor, including the following individuals:

(a) the Director of State Operations, who shall serve as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Secretary for Education and the Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services, who shall serve as Vice-Chairs;

(c) the Deputy Secretary for the Environment, the Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, the Chairperson of the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, the Chairperson of the Consumer Protection Board, the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, the Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Labor, the Chairperson of the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the Director of the Budget, the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services, the Commissioner of Housing and Community Renewal, the Director of the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, the Commissioner of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Commissioner of Children and Family Services, the Commissioner of Mental Health, the Commissioner of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Executive Director of the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, the Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Secretary of State, and the Commissioner of Education.

(d) Each agency represented on the Children's Cabinet shall designate an individual to serve as the staff contact.

3. The Children's Cabinet shall oversee the development and implementation of reforms required for the success of New York's children. In particular, the Children's Cabinet shall advise and make recommendations to the Governor on the most effective policies and programs that promote the Governor's Birth to Five Agenda and other priorities, including but not limited to:

(a) implementation and expansion of a plan to provide universal health insurance for children;

(b) implementation of the phase-in of universal pre-kindergarten throughout New York State; and

(c) development of a legislative program focused on the Governor's Birth to Five Agenda.

4. There shall be external advisory groups to the Children's Cabinet, appointed by the Governor from time to time as he deems necessary, to assist and advise the Children's Cabinet on: (a) developing and implementing plans to effectuate universal access for children to health insurance and pre-kindergarten and other goals as identified by the Cabinet; (b) identifying policy, program, and systemic barriers that prevent State and local governments from effectively and efficiently serving the needs of children; and (c) formulating remedies and solutions to identified problems.

5. No member of the Children's Cabinet or external advisory groups 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 Children's Cabinet and external advisory groups shall receive no compensation for their services. All members of the Children's Cabinet and external advisory groups shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and vacancies shall be filled by the Governor. The Governor may remove and name additional members to the Children's Cabinet and external advisory groups at his discretion.

6. Every agency, department, office, division or public authority of this State shall cooperate with the Children's Cabinet and furnish such information and assistance as the Children's Cabinet determines is reasonably necessary to accomplish its purposes.