Section 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  for  fifty  percent  of  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.