(a) The department, with the assistance of the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, shall establish a coordinated, comprehensive, statewide system of multidisciplinary interagency programs that provide appropriate early intervention services to eligible persons under AS 47.20.060 - 47.20.290.
(b) The department is the lead agency for purposes of federal law with respect to the administration of the early intervention services system required under (a) of this section. The department shall establish and administer the system required under (a) of this section so that the state is eligible for the maximum available funding from public and private sources.
(c) In connection with the system established under (a) of this section, the department shall
(1) develop a state plan that identifies the best methods of providing services to children under the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities and their families and report to the governor on the extent to which that plan is being implemented in the state;
(2) develop and implement an educational program concerning the nature and effects of developmental delays and disabilities;
(3) serve as a clearinghouse for educational materials and information about developmental delays and disabilities;
(4) organize and encourage training programs for persons who provide services to children under the age of three with developmental delays and disabilities and their families;
(5) establish a training program for paraprofessionals who provide services to children under the age of three with developmental delays and disabilities and their families;
(6) cooperate with other public and private agencies and individuals to facilitate the transition of children served in the early intervention system to the formal education system;
(7) identify and use all public and private resources available to the state; and
(8) monitor and evaluate the services provided to ensure the demonstrable effectiveness of the services and compliance with state and federal law and department policy regarding the provision of early intervention services.