The Department of Children and Families shall develop and maintain a program of day treatment centers and extended day treatment programs for emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, behaviorally disordered or multiply handicapped children and youths. For the purposes of this section, “day treatment center” means a facility for outpatient therapy, care and training of children and youths who, after appropriate evaluation, are deemed in need of such therapy, care and training. Any nonprofit corporation organized or existing for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a day treatment center or an extended day treatment program, as defined in section 17a-147, for emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, behaviorally disordered or multiply handicapped children and youths, any hospital, any psychiatric clinic or any regional educational service center, as established in accordance with section 10-66a, may apply to the Department of Children and Families for funds to be used to assist in establishing, maintaining or expanding a day treatment center or an extended day treatment program, as defined in section 17a-147, for emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, behaviorally disordered or multiply handicapped children and youths. No grant to assist in establishing, maintaining or expanding a day treatment center or an extended day treatment program under the provisions of this section shall exceed the ordinary and recurring operating expenses of any such day treatment center or extended day treatment program, nor shall any grant be made to pay for all or any part of the capital expenditures for any such center or program. The Department of Children and Families shall (1) establish minimum eligibility requirements for the receipt of such grants in regard to qualification and number of staff members and the operation of day treatment centers and extended day treatment programs, including, but not limited to, physical plant and record keeping; (2) establish procedures to be used in making application for such funds; and (3) prescribe regulations governing the granting of funds to assist in establishing, maintaining and expanding day treatment centers and extended day treatment programs. Upon receipt of proper application and approval by said department of the plans for financing and the standards of operation of a day treatment center or extended day treatment program, said department shall authorize the payment of such grant. Any application for a grant, and any grant of funds pursuant thereto, shall not be subject to the provisions of section 17a-476, except to the extent required by federal law.