(a) The department shall, to the extent of resources available and priorities established by the executive commissioner, provide rehabilitation services directly or through public or private resources to individuals determined by the department to be eligible for the services under a vocational rehabilitation program or other program established to provide rehabilitation services.
(b) In carrying out the purposes of this chapter and Subchapter F, Chapter 117, the department may:
(1) cooperate with other departments, agencies, political subdivisions, and institutions, both public and private, in providing the services authorized by this chapter and Subchapter F, Chapter 117, to eligible individuals, in studying the problems involved, and in planning, establishing, developing, and providing necessary or desirable programs, facilities, and services, including those jointly administered with state agencies;
(2) enter into reciprocal agreements with other states;
(3) establish or construct rehabilitation facilities and workshops, contract with or provide grants to agencies, organizations, or individuals as necessary to implement this chapter and Subchapter F, Chapter 117, make contracts or other arrangements with public and other nonprofit agencies, organizations, or institutions for the establishment of workshops and rehabilitation facilities, and operate facilities for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and Subchapter F, Chapter 117;
(4) conduct research and compile statistics relating to the provision of services to or the need for services by individuals with disabilities;
(5) provide for the establishment, supervision, management, and control of small business enterprises to be operated by individuals with significant disabilities where their operation will be improved through the management and supervision of the department;
(6) contract with schools, hospitals, private industrial firms, and other agencies and with doctors, nurses, technicians, and other persons for training, physical restoration, transportation, and other rehabilitation services; and
(7) assess the statewide need for services necessary to prepare students with disabilities for a successful transition to employment, establish collaborative relationships with each school district with education service centers to the maximum extent possible within available resources, and develop strategies to assist vocational rehabilitation counselors in identifying and reaching students in need of transition planning.