In the administration of this chapter, the department shall cooperate with the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and shall take actions necessary to comply with the requirements of federal law to obtain public assistance block grants or other federal assistance available for the purposes of this chapter. The department shall make reports in the form and containing the information required to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The department may cooperate with federal agencies charged with the administration of the federal public assistance block grants and other financial assistance.