The public defender and the board of supervisors may cooperate with any individual or public agency, whether state or federal, or with any institution of higher learning of the State of Mississippi, to obtain by gift, grant or otherwise any financial, professional, investigatory or research or other assistance; provided, however, that any grants or any financial assistance whatever for the purpose herein set out shall be paid over to the board of supervisors and administered by it for the purposes herein set forth. The board shall have the authority to use any financial assistance or grants to extend and expand the facilities of the office.