(a)

1. (1) Funds designated for child welfare services outcome improvements shall be flexible and may be spent on local priorities identified in the county’s system improvement plan, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

   1. (A) Reducing high worker caseloads.
   2. (B) Clerical or paraprofessional support.
   3. (C) Direct services to clients, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.
   4. (D) Prevention and early intervention services, such as differential response.
   5. (E) Permanency and youth transition practice improvements.
   6. (F) Any other investments to better serve children and families, which may include services to support older youth in foster care, such as mentoring services.
2. (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that these funds be linked to improved outcomes, and provided to counties on an ongoing basis.