(a) Up to five counties selected by the department, and at the discretion of the counties, may implement a countywide program for licensed family homes and relative caregivers receiving payments under this chapter under which they may receive reimbursement for the cost of licensed child care for each foster child under 13 years of age in the care of the licensed family home or the relative caregiver, during any period that any of the following apply:

1. (1) The foster parent or relative caregiver is working outside the home.
2. (2) The foster parent or relative caregiver is participating in foster care training.
3. (3) The foster parent or relative caregiver is fulfilling necessary foster care-related administrative duties, such as conferences and judicial reviews that are not ordinarily parental duties.

(e) Of the five counties to be selected, the department shall select, at minimum, one large county, one medium county, and one small county, based on population size if a county from each category submits a written expression of its desire to participate. In addition, the department shall give priority to any county that meets both of the following criteria:

1. (1) The county has experienced a net loss in the total number of licensed foster family homes.
2. (2) The county has demonstrated a deficit in the number of licensed foster family beds for the county’s population of foster children requiring out-of-home placement.