Executive Order No. 33-23 (No. 15-11) [Governor’s Commission on Successful Aging]
WHEREAS, Vermont places great value on the contributions of its older citizens; and
WHEREAS, it is important that older Vermonters maintain their health and remain active
and involved in their communities; and
WHEREAS, encouraging older Vermonters to participate in the labor market will positively
impact the State’s economic development and sustainability while at the same time
result in improved physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being of older Vermonters;
and
WHEREAS, being physically active contributes substantially to healthy aging;
WHEREAS, a public health approach to successful aging has been shown to improve the
health status of older adults and to prevent or delay unnecessary treatments and services;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Peter Shumlin, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor,
establish the Governor’s Commission on Successful Aging.
I. Composition The Commission shall consist of no more than 15 members, appointed by the Governor.
Members shall be appointed by the Governor to three-year terms, beginning March 1
of the year of appointment or until their successors are appointed. (Initial appointments
shall take effect immediately and shall include the term beginning March 1, 2012.)
Initially, one-third of the members shall be appointed to one-year terms, one-third
to two-year terms, and one-third to three-year terms. No member shall serve more than
two consecutive terms.
Members shall include: the Commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and
Independent Living or designee; a representative from the Vermont Department of Mental
Health or designee; a representative from the Vermont Department of Health; the Commissioner
of the Department of Labor or designee; a representative of Creative Workforce Solutions;
a representative of the Area Agencies on Aging; a representative of the American Association
of Retired Persons (AARP); a representative of the Community of Vermont Elders (COVE);
a representative of a Vermont association of businesses; a representative from the
Senior Community Service Employment Program; an individual representing Vermont’s
municipalities; a representative from the Vermont Agency of Transportation; two seniors
who exemplify healthy aging through their work as community and/or business leaders.
The Governor or the Governor’s designee shall chair the Commission.
II. Committee Charge1. To make recommendations to the Administration on the design and implementation of
health reform initiatives, in order to promote healthy aging through the lifespan
and to ensure reforms are responsive to the needs and preferences of older Vermonters;
2. To assist the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, the Department
of Labor, and other State agencies in optimizing the potential of Vermont’s older
workers, including the implementation of a strategic approach to engaging older Vermonters
in the labor force;
3. To assist the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, the Department
of Health, and the Department of Mental Health in identifying potential sources of
funding for health/mental health promotion programs and to make recommendations regarding
the pursuit of funding opportunities and implementation of programs;
4. To make recommendations to the Administration on ways to promote the creation of more
livable communities for all ages by ensuring active, non-motorized transportation
initiatives such as Complete Streets and Safe Streets are responsive to the needs
and preferences of older Vermonters.
III. Committee Process The Commission shall meet at least three times annually or upon the call of the Chair
and shall submit a report to the Governor each year by July 1.
The Commission shall be attached to the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent
Living for administrative support. To the extent funds permit, members who are not
employed by the state shall receive reimbursement of expenses and a per diem pursuant
to 32 V.S.A. § 1010(e).
IV. Effective Dates
This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing and shall expire on November 30,
2016 unless extended by the Governor.
Dated November 8, 2011.