(1) Administer all funds available under this part;
(2) Accept any grant of funds made by the United States government or any agency thereof for the purpose of carrying out this part;
(3) Request from the various departments, agencies, and authorities of the state and its political subdivisions such available information as it may require in its work; and all such departments, agencies, and authorities shall furnish, within a reasonable time, such requested available information to the department;
(4) Contract with the United States government or agencies thereof, with political subdivisions of the state, and with private persons and corporations; and
(5) Do all other things necessary and proper to exercise its powers and perform its duties in accordance with this part.