Section 138-A. Responsibility of the department for recipients in family care

1. Any inconsistent provision  of  this  chapter  or  other  law
  notwithstanding,  the  department  shall  be  responsible for furnishing
  public assistance and care to  mentally  disabled  persons  residing  in
  family  care homes licensed by the office of mental health or the office
  of mental retardation and developmental disabilities who are admitted to
  such facilities in accordance  with  regulations  of  the  office  which
  licenses  the  facility.  However,  the  department  may, at its option,
  discharge such responsiblity,  in  whole  or  in  part,  through  social
  services  districts designated to act as agents of the department. While
  so designated, a social services district shall  act  as  agent  of  the
  department and shall be entitled to reimbursement as provided in section
  one hundred fifty-three of this chapter.
    2.  The  department  shall  possess  and  may exercise like powers and
  perform like duties in respect to the assistance and care of persons  in
  family  care  as  social  services  officials  exercise  and  perform in
  relation to persons in their respective jurisdictions.