1. The department of social services shall address the needs of homeless, dependent and neglected children in the supervision and custody of the children's division and to their families-in-conflict by:
(1) Serving children and families as a unit in the least restrictive setting available and in close proximity to the family home, consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child;
(2) Insuring that appropriate social services are provided to the family unit both prior to the removal of the child from the home and after family reunification;
(3) Developing and implementing preventive and early intervention social services which have demonstrated the ability to delay or reduce the need for out-of-home placements and ameliorate problems before they become chronic.
2. The department of social services shall fund only regional child assessment centers known as:
(1) The St. Louis City child assessment center;
(2) The St. Louis County child assessment center;
(3) The Jackson County child assessment center;
(4) The Buchanan County child assessment center;
(5) The Greene County child assessment center;
(6) The Boone County child assessment center;
(7) The Joplin child assessment center;
(8) The St. Charles County child assessment center;
(9) The Jefferson County child assessment center;
(10) The Pettis County child assessment center;
(11) The southeast Missouri child assessment center;
(12) The Camden County child assessment center;
(13) The Clay-Platte County child assessment center;
(14) The Lakes Area child assessment center;
(15) The Ozark Foothills child assessment center; and
(16) The North Central Missouri child assessment center;