EXECUTIVE ORDER
85-6

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 10,000 head injuries in the State of Missouri each year which physically disable and intellectually impair some of our citizens for a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, more than 700 persons each year will die as a result of head injuries; and

WHEREAS, head injury is the major cause of death and disability among Missourians under tie age of 35; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri should assume a leadership role in the collection and dissemination of information about head injuries and the appropriate response of government and private groups to prevent them and treat those who suffer them; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri offers a wide range of services to persons with head injuries, and appropriate placement of head injured persons in these programs is critical to the individual's potential for recovery, and important to the state's desire to provide appropriate service in a cost-effective manner,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN ASHCROFT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of Missouri hereby create and establish the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council. The Council shall be composed of 25 members appointed as follows: 2 members of the Council shall be members of the House of Representatives and appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to serve for the remainder of their terms; 2 shall be members of the Missouri Senate and appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate, to serve for the remainder of their terms; and 21 members shall be appointed by the Governor, representing persons with head injuries, representing relatives of persons with head injuries, representing proprietary schools, professional groups, health institutions, private industry, and state agencies which administer programs regarding mental health, education, public health, public safety, insurance and medicaid. The appointment of individuals representing state agencies shall be conditioned on their continued employment in their respective agencies.

The Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council is assigned to the Division of General Services in the Office of Administration. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their service but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members of the Council appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Council may study and recommend action by private and public entities on the following items and on others it may select:

  1. Methods for identifying the extent of head injury in Missouri.
  2. A statutory definition of "head injury".
  3. Appropriate entry points for head injured persons seeking services from state agencies.
  4. Rehabilitative placement opportunities which can be provided with public or private resources.
  5. Methods for establishing and funding transitional living centers for the head injured.
  6. Methods for advancing the practice and availability of cognitive retraining therapies.
  7. Improved coverage by all third party payers for treatment and rehabilitation in institutional, in home and in other settings.
  8. Protection of the personal and civil rights of head injured persons.
  9. Learn injury preventive education.
  10. Opportunities for obtaining federal funds through the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).

The Council shall meet when called by the Chairman, but at least quarterly. The Council shall elect annually one of its members to serve as Chairman. The Council shall adopt written procedures to govern its activities. Staff and consultants shall be provided for the Council from appropriations requested by the Commissioner for such purposes.

The Council shall report annually to the Commissioner of Administration on its activities, and on the results of its studies, and shall include any recommendations in said report. This Order shall be effective July 1, 1985, and shall expire on July 1, 1988 unless renewed by an Executive Order executed prior to that date.'

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 March, 1985.

[John Ashcroft's signature]
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[Roy D. Blunt's signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE

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