(1) Community support specialists within the Department of Health and Human Services shall:

(a) Act as a liaison between the department and community-based organizations;

(b) Facilitate client assistance by community-based organizations;

(c) Train community-based organizations in how to help clients access economic assistance programs through the department website; and

(d) Respond to client problems with the application process known as Access Nebraska or its successor.

(2) The department shall determine the appropriate numbers and hours of community support specialists but shall, at a minimum, employ eight community support specialists to perform the requirements of subsection (1) of this section. The community support specialists shall receive annual training in:

(a) Principles and practices of public administration;

(b) Procedure and policy development; and

(c) Federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to health and human services programs.