(1) Supervise the administration of assistance to the needy aged under this part by the regional directors;
(2) Make such rules and regulations and take such action as may be necessary or desirable for carrying out this part. All rules and regulations made by the department shall be binding on the counties and shall be complied with by the respective regional directors;
(3) Establish standards for personnel employed by the department in the administration of this part and make necessary rules and regulations to maintain such standards;
(4) Prepare and supply to the regional directors such forms as it may deem necessary and advisable;
(5) Cooperate with the commissioner of social security, or any federal officer or agency made successor to the commissioner of social security, in any reasonable manner as may be necessary to qualify for federal aid for assistance to the needy aged and in conformity with this part, including the making of such reports in such forms and containing such information as the commissioner of social security may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as such commissioner may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports; and
(6) Publish an annual report and such interim reports as may be necessary.