EXECUTIVE ORDER 2015-05
- WHEREAS this Administration is committed to strengthening the system of support for service members, veterans, families, and survivors in a manner that builds upon existing collaboration between the various agencies and organizations that serve this population; and
- WHEREAS North Dakota is home to more than 56,000 veterans with many more returning each year after leaving full-time military service; and
- WHEREAS veterans, service members, and families too often face difficulties while transitioning back into civilian life; and
- WHEREAS recent research shows high rates of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury in service members returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
- WHEREAS a disproportionate number of veterans suffer from behavioral health issues; and
- WHEREAS many federal, state, and local agencies, and non-governmental organizations receive and distribute funding from a variety of sources targeted to address needs of service members, veterans, families, and survivors; and
- WHEREAS resources and services must be coordinated to provide the support needed; and
- WHEREAS North Dakota's service members, veterans, families, and survivors can be better served with a more coordinated statewide effort; and
- WHEREAS North Dakota Cares (ND Cares) was established by Executive Order 2015-01 to create a coalition of statewide service providers dedicated to providing an accessible, seamless network of support for service members, veterans, and families.
NOW THEREFORE, I Jack Dalrymple, by the authority invested in me as Governor of the State of North Dakota, hereby order and direct the following:
I do hereby establish North Dakota Cares (ND Cares), a coalition charged with improving collaboration and coordination on behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their families and survivors. ND Cares consist of the following members:
• Three members appointed by the Governor
• The Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Commissioner's designee
• The Adjutant General, or the Adjutant General's designee
• The Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, or the Executive Director's designee
• The State Health Officer, or the State Health Officer's designee
• The Director of the Fargo VA Health Care System, or the Director's designee.
The Governor shall select the chairperson from among the members.
ND Cares shall meet as needed at the call of the chairperson.
The Governor is vested with the executive authority to issue this order pursuant to Article V, Section 1, of the North Dakota Constitution.
Executed at Bismarck, North Dakota, this 17th day of December 2015.
