(a) The council is vested with the following authority:

(1) To carry out the prevention and community based service programs provided for in Part 2 of this article;

(1.1) To carry out the duties relating to mentoring provided for in Part 3 of this article;

(2) To cooperate with and secure cooperation of every department, agency, or instrumentality in the state government or its political subdivisions in the furtherance of the purposes of this article;

(3) To prepare, publish, and disseminate fundamental child related information of a descriptive and analytical nature to all components of the children's service system of this state, including, but not limited to, the juvenile justice system;

(4) To serve as a state-wide clearing-house for child related information and research;

(5) In coordination and cooperation with all components of the children's service systems of this state, to develop legislative proposals and executive policy proposals reflective of the priorities of the entire child related systems of this state, including, but not limited to, juvenile justice systems;

(6) To serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor on issues impacting the children's service systems of this state;

(7) To coordinate high visibility child related research projects and studies with a state-wide impact, which studies and projects cross traditional system component lines;

(8) To provide for the interaction, communication, and coordination of all components of the children's service systems of the state and to provide assistance in establishing state-wide goals and standards in the system;

(9) To provide for the effective coordination and communication between providers of children and youth services, including pediatrics, health, mental health, business and industry, and all components of the social services, education, and educational services;

(10) To encourage and facilitate the establishment of local commissions or coalitions on children and youth and to facilitate the involvement of communities in providing services for their children and youth;

(11) To administer federal assistance funds for the purposes mentioned in this subsection, including but not limited to funds under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act;

(12) To review and develop an integrated state plan for services provided to children and youth in this state through state programs; (13) To provide technical assistance and consultation to members of the council and local governments, particularly those involved in providing services to their children and youth;

(14) To facilitate elimination of unnecessary or duplicative efforts, programs, and services; and

(15) To do any and all things necessary and proper to enable it to perform wholly and adequately its duties and to exercise the authority granted to it.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, the council shall not exercise any power, undertake any duty, or perform any function assigned by law to the Governor, the Attorney General, or any of the prosecuting or investigatory agencies at the state or local level.