WHEREAS, Idaho's children are our most valuable and most vulnerable resource; and

WHEREAS, crimes of abuse and neglect can psychologically and physically harm innocent children for life, depriving them of the opportunity to live happy and productive lives; and

WHEREAS, abuse and neglect of children have been recognized to be multi-generational problems; and

WHEREAS, thousands of incidents of child abuse and neglect occur each year in Idaho; and

WHEREAS, the system that responds to reports of child abuse and neglect requires more effective and efficient statewide coordination and consistent monitoring in order to better protect children; and

WHEREAS, in order to protect all children, those who commit crimes against children need to be held accountable for their actions; and

WHEREAS, the child victims of abuse, neglect, and domestic violence must receive immediate and adequate protection from continued maltreatment; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of all Idahoans to provide a community system of support and protection for these children; and

WHEREAS, the protection of children from abuse and neglect is in the best interest of all Idahoans;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho, do hereby order the continuance of the Governor's Task Force for Children at Risk.

The Task Force's responsibilities are:

1. To review existing systems and procedures and encourage improvements in the investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse to limit the trauma to the child victim;

2. To evaluate, propose, and encourage cooperation between persons and agencies involved in cases of child abuse and domestic violence evaluations;

3. To investigate and recommend optimum models of prevention, evaluation and treatment of victims and offenders;

4. To establish procedures for reviewing child fatalities and substantial or severe injuries where the circumstances of the death or injury suggest the possibility of child abuse; and

5. To study, propose, and encourage means to establish a highly professional, stable work force devoted to working with child abuse cases and issues.

The Task Force shall be composed of up to 16 members appointed by the Governor. The membership shall include, but will not be limited to, the following with consideration of cultural and geographical representation:

·        A Judge (Handling civil and criminal cases)

·        A Prosecuting Attorney

·        At least one representative of the Division of Family and Community Services of the Department of Health and Welfare

·        A law enforcement representative with experience in child abuse cases

·        A representative of the Department of Correction's

·        Department of Probation and Parole

·        A juvenile correction or probation worker

·        A defense attorney

·        A pediatrician

·        A mental health professional specializing in therapy for abused children

·        A parent or parent group representative

·        An individual experienced in working with children with disabilities

·        A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) representative

·        A child advocate Attorney for children

The members of the Task Force shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor for a four-year term. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Governor. Members of the Task Force shall elect their chair from among their members.

The Department of Health and Welfare shall be the lead agency, providing support for the Task Force, and shall maintain office staff to carry out the activities directed by the Task Force, as funding is available.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 28^th day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and six, and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth. 

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE