The powers and duties now vested by law in the county superintendents of the poor, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) of section 55 of this act, are hereby transferred to and vested in the several county departments of social welfare herein created. Whenever reference is made to the above offices in any law of the state, or whenever reference is made to the supervisor of any township or ward, or to the director of poor of any city, with respect to the powers and duties transferred to the county department of social welfare, reference shall be deemed to be intended to be made to the said county board of social welfare.
MCL 400.85