(a) The department shall have the power and is authorized:

(1) To enter into contracts with federal, state, county, and municipal governments and their agencies and departments; public and private institutions and agencies of this and other states; and individuals, as may be necessary or desirable in effectuating the purposes of this article;

(2) To enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with county or district departments of family and children services as may be necessary or desirable in effectuating the purposes of this article;

(3) To enter into reciprocal agreements with appropriate public and private institutions and agencies of other states relative to providing child welfare and youth services to nonresident children and youths; and to cooperate with such institutions and agencies in establishment and operation of group-care facilities appropriate for social study, treatment, and rehabilitation of children and youths; and

(4) To accept children and youths from federal courts and provide them social services within the scope of this article for compensation and under such terms as may be agreed upon.

(b) The board may authorize the commissioner to enter into contracts and agreements provided for in this Code section subject to the approval of the board or may, through appropriate action of the board, delegate such authority to the commissioner.