(1) Prepare and approve state and federal plans prior to submission to the appropriate authority as required by law for final approval or for state or federal funding, or both.

Such plans shall be guided by the goal of delivering services to citizens and administering plans in the most effective and efficient ways possible.

(2) Compile and maintain in a unified, concise, and orderly form information concerning programs provided for in this chapter.

(3) Continuously review and evaluate programs to determine the extent to which they:

(a) meet fiscal, administrative, and program objectives; and

(b) are being operated cost effectively.

(4) Evaluate plans and programs in terms of their compatibility with state objectives and priorities giving specific attention to areas outlined in § 44-6-70.

(5) Formulate for consideration and promulgation criteria, standards, and procedures that ensure assigned programs are administered effectively, equitably, and economically and in accordance with statewide policies and priorities.

(6) Inform the Governor and the General Assembly as to the effectiveness of the criteria, standards, and procedures promulgated pursuant to item (5) of this section.

(7) Develop in conjunction with other state agencies an information system to provide data on comparative client and fiscal information needed for programs.

(8) Develop a mechanism for local planning.

(9) Obtain from participating state agencies information considered necessary by the department to perform duties assigned to the department.