If the parent, guardian or other person is unable to furnish a child sent to a State school for the education of the blind or the deaf with transportation or the proper and necessary clothing, but is eligible for or receiving public assistance, the necessary expenditures for transportation to the nearest appropriate public residential educational facility and for the return of the child at suitable intervals and for the proper and necessary clothing shall be provided for in the public assistance grant. If the parent, guardian, or other person is unable to furnish such transportation or proper and necessary clothing, and is not eligible for or receiving public assistance, then the circuit court for the county in which the child resides or may be found, on application of any citizen of the county, shall make an order directing that the child be taken to such school as the court, in consultation with the parent, guardian or other person deems for the best interest of the child, and for the furnishing of transportation for that purpose including a custodian, preferably the parent or guardian, and also for the furnishing of suitable clothing, if necessary, which expense shall be advanced by the sheriff and allowed by the county board. Such order shall also include an allowance for the return of the child at suitable intervals.