In order that the State may more effectively exercise the duty and obligation which it owes to minor children, who for any cause are in need of care and protection, the Division of Child Protective Services may:

(1) Search out through investigation, complaints from citizens, or otherwise, the minor children in the State who are in need of its care and protection and shall as far as possible, through existing agencies, public or private, its own welfare workers or through such other resources, aid such children to a fair opportunity in life;

(2) Make surveys and in other ways ascertain the facts and conditions which cause or contribute to the need for state care and protection of children and the extent of such need;

(3) Present the facts so ascertained to the people through conventions, conferences and addresses to the end that a statewide program may be effected for the elimination and suppression of the causes which bring the necessity for such care;

(4) Establish and maintain homes or other agencies for the care of dependent or neglected minor children or contract with any approved agency or home for the care of such children, receive and care for dependent or neglected children committed to its care and, if possible, to arrange for a thorough physical and mental examination of every such child, investigate in detail the personal and family history of a child and its environment, place such children in family homes or in approved suitable institutions and supervise such children however placed; and

(5) Solicit, obtain and hold gifts, devises and bequests of money, real estate and other things of value to be used in support of the development and carrying on of child welfare work.

38 Del. Laws, c. 54, §§ 1, 2; Code 1935, § 1130; 31 Del. C. 1953, § 303; 58 Del. Laws, c. 64, § 1; 64 Del. Laws, c. 108, § 4.