The Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Labor is the designated state unit for the independent living program. The independent living program is authorized to provide or contract for the provision of such services as may be needed to enable persons with disabilities to attain the maximum degree of independent living. The powers delegated and authorized in this Code section for the division shall be in addition to those previously authorized by any other law. The department is authorized to cooperate with any federal agency in the administration of such a program.