The secretary for children and families, referred to in this act as secretary, is hereby designated as the official agency of this state authorized to accept and disburse funds made available to the secretary or the commissioner of juvenile justice for grants-in-aid to eligible local community organizations for community based group boarding homes for children and youth or to eligible local community based services for children and youth. The secretary may accept any moneys made available to the state by the federal government or any agency thereof and accept and account for state appropriations, gifts and donations from any other sources.