The department shall establish a regional autism assistance program, to be administered by the child health specialty clinics of the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics. The program shall be designed to coordinate educational, medical, and other human services for persons with autism, their parents, and providers of services to persons with autism. The function of the program shall include but is not limited to the coordination of diagnostic and assessment services, the maintaining of a research base, coordination of in-service training, providing technical assistance, and providing consultation.