[§346-268]  Child care.  The department may provide child care services to eligible families to allow participation in education, training, and employment in accordance with federal regulations and requirements; provided that the department:

     (1)  Shall ensure that care arrangements for children meet applicable standards of state law; and

     (2)  May pay for child care services up to the amount consistent with the department's payment standard. [L 1990, c 321, pt of §1]