18673r •
1 ORDINANCE NO. 18,673
2
3 AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE THE LITTLE ROCK
4 COMMISSION ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND
5 FAMILIES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
6
7 WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Little Rock Board of Directors to continue the
8 vision of FUTURE - Little Rock, and
9 WHEREAS, the Little Rock Board of Directors is in support of the wide array of
10 services provided through prevention, intervention, and treatment; education; health; and
11 safety programs, and
12 WHEREAS, it has been demonstrated that these programs and services are of great
13 benefit to the Little Rock community, and
14 WHEREAS, the 2001 Vision Little Rock Planning process continued the citizens
15 endorsement of these programs and services, and
16 WHEREAS, the transition from multiple commissions and task forces to a single
17 commission model has been deliberate, inclusive, and responsive to the community, and
18 to the spirit of the original FUTURE - Little Rock directive, and
19 WHEREAS, a transition planning committee comprised of representatives of the
20 Little Rock Commission on Domestic Violence, the Little Rock Education Commission, the
21 Little Rock Task Force for Youth, the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Advisory
22 Committee, and other citizens participated in the development of the mission and goals
23 for a new Children, Youth, & Families Commission, and
24 WHEREAS, the Little Rock Board of Directors recognizes and commends the efforts
25 of the various groups that have dealt with the needs of children, youth and families in
26 Little Rock and now desires to consolidate these efforts in .order for the City to have a
27 more focused policy on these issues.
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1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
2 THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
3 Section 1. Creation. There is hereby created the Little Rock Commission on.
4 Children, Youth and Families, hereinafter referred to as the "Commission', exclusively an
5 advisory commission, to be appointed by the Little Rock Board of Directors, hereinafter
6 referred to as the 'Board of Directors ".
7 Section 2. Mission Statement. The Commission shall provide policy leadership
8 and advocacy that improves the health, safety, education and quality of life of children,
9 youth and families in Little Rock,
10 Section 3. Goals. The goals of the Commission are as follows:
11 (a) To develop coordinated, holistic community approaches that address the
12 needs of children, youth and families in Little Rock, particularly those at most risk.
13 (b) To educate and advise the Board of Directors about critical and emerging
14 issues impacting children, youth and families in Little Rock.
15 (c) To educate the public and media about critical and emerging issues
16 impacting children, youth and families in Little Rock.
17 (d) To develop strategic plans, set priorities, and advise the Board of Directors
18 on the implementation of programs and policies improving the lives of children, youth
19 and families in Little Rock.
20 (e) To build the capacity and sustainability of neighborhood -based
21 organizations to address the needs of children, youth and families in Little Rock.
22 (f) To maximize resources for improving the health, safety, public education
23 and quality of life of children, youth and families in Little Rock.
24 (g) To serve as an informational resource to the Board of Directors on issues
25 related to at risk children, youth and families in Little Rock.
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1 (h) To identify and promote best practices in the delivery of services to at risk
2 children, youth and families in Little Rock.
3 (i) To collaborate with other governmental jurisdictions and with the private
4 sector to fulfill the Commission's mission and goals.
5 (j) To complement the work of the City's elected officials and administrative
6 departments through the Commission's collective and informed judgment.
7 (k) To report annually to the Board of Directors on the status of children, youth,
S and families in Little Rock.
9 (1) To secure the assistance of individuals with relevant experience, knowledge,
10 expertise or ideas in planning and providing services for at risk children, youth, and
11 families in Little Rock.
12 Section 4. Composition and Term of Service.
13 (a) The Commission shall consist of eleven (11) persons, which shall include the
14 following representatives:
15 (1) One person who serves as a member of the Board of Directors.
16 (2) One person who is a member of the Little Rock School Board.
17 (3) One person who has knowledge of and expertise in Safety or Juvenile
is
Justice.
19
(4)
One person who has knowledge of and expertise in Early Childhood
20
Education.
21
(5)
One person who has knowledge of and expertise in providing
22
services to Victims of Domestic Violence.
23
(6)
One person who has knowledge of and expertise in Public Health.
24
(7)
One person who has knowledge of and expertise in Substance Abuse
25
Prevention and Treatment.
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1 (8) four persons at large with knowledge of, expertise in, or who
2 are interested in issues related to children, youth and families in Little
3 Rock.
4 (b) Except for the initial membership, each commission member shall serve for a
5 three year term. In the event a vacancy occurs during the term of office of any appointed
6 member, a successor shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the office vacated in a
7 manner similar to that for the initial member. A person selected to fill the unexpired
8 portion of the term is eligible for reappointment to a full term.
9 (c) The initial commission members shall serve as follows: The members
10 representing the Board of Directors, the Little Rock School Board, Safety or Juvenile
it Justice, and one at large position shall serve for 3 years. The members representing Early
12 Childhood Education, Victims of Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse Prevention and
13 Treatment and one at large position shall serve for 2 years. The members representing
14 Public Health and two at large positions shall serve 1 year. Successor members, after these
15 initial terms have expired, shall serve a full three (3) year term.
16 (d) A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
17 Section 5. Powers and Duties. The Commission shall have the following powers
18 and duties:
19 (a) To create by -laws;
20 (b) To recommend to the Board of Directors, the City Manager, and the Director
21 of Community Programs such policies and best practices as the Commission believes will
22 aid the City in the delivery of services to at risk children, youth and families in Little Rock.
23 (c) To make funding priority recommendations to the Board of Directors, City
24 Manager, and the Director of Community Programs for expenditures for programs for
25 children, youth, and families in Little Rock.
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1 (d) To hold public meetings and forums as necessary.
2 (e) To make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding proposed
3 legislation at the local, state, and national level that affect children, youth and families in
4 Little Rock.
5 (f) To appoint committees to assist the Commission in fulfilling its mission and
6 discharging its duties.
7 Section 6. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence,
S clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or
9 unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions
10 of the ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or
11 adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of the ordinance.
12 Section 7. Repealer. Sections 2 -271 through 2 -274, creating the Little Rock
13 Commission on Domestic Violence, and Sections 2 -281 — 2 -284, creating the Little Rock
14 Education Commission, of the Little Rock City Code, 1988, are hereby repealed.
15 PASSED: APRIL 2, 2002
16 ATTEST: APPROVED:
17
19 NNaricy W d, City Clerk Ji Dailey, Mayor
20
21 APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
22
23'u
24 Thomas M. Carpenter, City ttorney
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