The department may authorize the payment of state funds to defray in whole or in part the cost of a project undertaken by the county department of any county or by the county departments of a group of counties or by the department in behalf of county departments generally or by an organized group of recipients, if the project is consistent with the purpose of this chapter and meets the criteria established pursuant to Section 18202. Any county shall meet at least the cost of equipment, supplies, and facilities required by the staff engaged in carrying out any project approved pursuant to this chapter, except (1) with respect to those plans submitted by an organization of recipients, and (2) that state funds may be used to defray the entire cost of any project which is undertaken by a group of counties or is directed by the department in behalf of county departments generally or is directed by a recognized institution of higher learning. To the extent this section authorizes the department or a recognized institution of higher learning to undertake and direct a project in behalf of county departments, the provisions of Section 18202 shall not apply to such projects.