11 councils part of review panel's proposal

The Missouri State Government Review Commission wants Gov. Matt Blunt to create 11 interdepartmental coordination councils so state services handled by several departments can be delivered more efficiently. The councils would use existing staff and resources.

The councils are:

* Job Creation and Economic Growth, led by the Department of Economic Development with additional members from the agriculture, conservation, elementary and secondary education, higher education, labor and industrial relations, natural resources, revenue and transportation departments.

* Lifetime Learning, led by the Department of Higher Education with additional members from corrections, economic development, elementary and secondary education, health and senior services, labor and industrial relations, mental health and social services.

* Information Technology and Customer Service, led by the Office of Administration with additional members from all state departments.

* Laboratory Services and Utilization, led by the Department of Health and Senior Services with additional members from agriculture, conservation, natural resources, public safety and the University of Missouri.

* Water Quality, led by the Department of Natural Resources with additional members from agriculture, conservation, economic development, health and senior services, public safety and transportation.

* Healthy Children, led by the Department of Social Services with additional members from economic development, elementary and secondary education, health and senior services, mental health and revenue.

* Rural Affairs, led by the Department of Agriculture with additional members from all state departments and University of Missouri Extension.

* State Service Delivery Efficiency, led by the Office of Administration with additional members from all state departments.

* State Employee Career Opportunity, led by the Office of Administration and supported by the State Personnel Advisory Board with additional members from all state departments.

* Mental Health Services, led by the Department of Mental Health with additional members from corrections, social services agencies dealing with juvenile justice, foster care and child abuse and neglect and elementary and secondary education.

* Offender Re-entry, led by the Department of Corrections with additional members from economic development, elementary and secondary education, health and senior services, mental health, public safety, revenue, social services and the Office of State Courts administrator as well as law enforcement and community partners.