There shall be a legal division which shall consist of attorneys-at-law assigned to the Department of Children and Families, who shall be on the staff and under the supervision of the Commissioner of Children and Families. There shall also be assistant attorneys general on the staff and under the direct supervision of the Attorney General. Such assistant attorneys general shall diligently prosecute petitions of neglect giving priority to petitions which allege child abuse as the grounds of neglect. Such assistant attorneys general and the department shall cooperate in preparation of such cases as shall be necessary to protect the safety and best interest of the child named in the petition.