The department, in partnership with a lead entity selected under Section 264.183, shall develop and implement a rural community-based care pilot program in an eligible rural region to:
(1) implement a community-based model of child welfare services and increase community engagement in the child welfare system;
(2) improve outcomes for children and families by expanding the availability of child welfare services and promoting innovation in the delivery of child welfare services to children and families; and
(3) develop a sustainable, replicable model for the provision of child welfare services in rural areas.