In order to carry out its responsibilities imposed under this chapter, the department is hereby authorized to commence or appear in any proceedings before any court or administrative agency for the purpose of obtaining, enforcing, or modifying an order of support on behalf of any dependent child or any other person for whom the department has a duty to obtain or enforce an order of support under this chapter. The department may commence or appear in any action on its own behalf or on behalf of any dependent child, parent of any dependent child, or on behalf of any other person for whom the department has a duty to obtain or enforce an order of support under this chapter.