§ 2547. Respite services. 1. Subject to the availability of federal
funds, the commissioner shall allocate a portion of such funds for
respite services for families of eligible children. The commissioner
shall establish criteria for selecting families for such services, which
may include the severity of the child's disability, the availability of
respite services to the family through other programs, and the
availability of informal supports to the family.

2. In addition to respite services provided pursuant to subdivision
one of this section and subject to the amounts appropriated therefor,
the state shall reimburse the municipality in accordance with the
percentage of state aid reimbursement for approved costs as set forth in
subdivision two of section twenty-five hundred fifty-seven of this
title, for the costs of respite services provided to eligible children
and their families with the approval of the early intervention official.

3. The commissioner shall contact the appropriate federal governmental
agencies and personnel to facilitate the availability of federal funds
for respite services.