§ 245. Probation staff training and development. The office of probation and correctional alternatives shall conduct training programs for city, county and state probation personnel, prepare and execute programs of information and education to interest persons in the field of probation as a vocation, encourage the development by schools within the state of courses of study in fields related to and bearing upon probation and engage in other activities of an educational or informational nature designed to increase the number of qualified probation personnel and improve the caliber of probation service within the state. In order to effectuate the provisions of this section, the office of probation and correctional alternatives shall be authorized to prepare and disseminate printed materials, utilize media of public information, cooperate with public and private institutions of learning and employ qualified persons as lecturers or consultants on a fee basis to supplement services to be performed by its personnel hereunder. Such fees shall be payable out of funds appropriated for these purposes on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the office.