(a) Any county program or authority formed by one or more counties under this article shall be eligible to apply for direct and continuing financial contracts and grants under the article.

(b) A nonprofit entity other than a community punishment and corrections authority may be eligible under the provisions of this article to receive grants or contracts to carry out the provisions and purposes of this article only in a county that has not established a local community punishment and corrections authority or which does not intend to apply for funding directly. The county commission may elect to endorse the community punishment and corrections plan submitted by the nonprofit entity after the commission has received notice that the nonprofit entity desires to seek a grant to carry out this article and the county does not establish a community punishment and corrections authority or pass a resolution that it will apply for grant funding within 60 days after the notification. In this event, the nonprofit entity shall perform the same duties, obligations, and functions as a community punishment and corrections planning authority together with performing the other corrections functions provided for in this article. Nothing in this article shall prohibit a nonprofit entity from receiving funds indirectly for such a program; however, a nonprofit entity shall have no authority to obligate county funds.

(c) Nothing in this article shall prevent an entity eligible for funding under this article to utilize common facilities or personnel and to share other overhead costs with county correctional or work release programs.