§ 2547. Respite services. 1. Subject to the availability of federal funds, the commissioner shall allocate a portion of such funds for respite services for families of eligible children. The commissioner shall establish criteria for selecting families for such services, which may include the severity of the child's disability, the availability of respite services to the family through other programs, and the availability of informal supports to the family.

2. In addition to respite services provided pursuant to subdivision one of this section and subject to the amounts appropriated therefor, the state shall reimburse the municipality in accordance with the percentage of state aid reimbursement for approved costs as set forth in subdivision two of section twenty-five hundred fifty-seven of this title, for the costs of respite services provided to eligible children and their families with the approval of the early intervention official.

3. The commissioner shall contact the appropriate federal governmental agencies and personnel to facilitate the availability of federal funds for respite services.