2.50.10 Requests and Payments for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) for Indian Children

Original Date:               

Revised Date:  July 1, 2024

Sunset Review Date:  July 31, 2028

Approved by:  Tleena Ives, Office of Tribal Relations Director

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance when there are requests or payments for out-of-state placement for children when there is reason to know they are or may be Indian children through Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).

Laws

Chapter 13.38 RCW  Indian Child Welfare Act

Chapter 26.34 RCW  Interstate Compact on Placement of Children

Scope

This policy applies to child welfare employees.

Policy

ICPC Requests for Out-of-State Placement for Children Who Are or May be Indian Children

  1. DCYF employees must contact Headquarters (HQ) ICPC when Indian children are in DCYF placement care and authority (PCA). 
  2. Office of Tribal Relations must assist tribes in contacting HQ ICPC for children who are under tribal jurisdiction.  

Procedures

  1. ICPC Requests for Out-of-State Placement 
    When children are or may be Indian children and:
    1. In DCYF PCA:
      1. Caseworkers requesting out-of-state placement, must:
        1. Submit the completed ICPC packet, including the ICPC Placement Request 100A DCYF 15-092 form to HQ ICPC.  
        2. Adhere to the following policies, when determining placement: 
          1. Child Welfare Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed Out-of-State
          2. Placement Preferences. 
      2. HQ ICPC receives requests for out-of-state placement, they must follow Child Welfare ICPC Placed Out-of-State policy. 
    2. Washington State federally recognized tribes request out-of-state assistance or payment to place out-of-state under ICPC, e.g., foster care, group care, or other services:
      1. Regional ICW program consultants must inform tribes that their cover letter must indicate they agree to follow the DCYF ICPC policies and Articles of ICPC.
      2. When DCYF is:
        1. Making payments for placements: 
          1. Regional ICW program consultants must:
            1. Verify tribal payment only cases are established prior to contacting HQ ICPC when the tribes are requesting payments.
            2. Assist tribes in sending the completed ICPC packet, including the ICPC Placement Request 100A DCYF 15-092 form, to HQ ICPC.   
          2. HQ ICPC must review and determine if receiving state will accept an ICPC request and notify the regional ICW program consultants if the request were accepted. 
          3. Regional ICW program consultants must complete the following for:
            1. Accepted request, follow ICPC Placed Out-of-State policy.
            2. Not accepted request, consult with the Office of the Attorney General.
        2. Not making payments for placements and the tribe would like to utilize the ICPC process:
          1. Regional ICW program consultants must verify with HQ ICPC if the receiving state would accept the request. 
          2. HQ ICPC must:
            1. Determine if receiving state will accept an ICPC request.
            2. Notify the Regional ICW program consultants. 
            3. Submit the ICPC request to the receiving state, following the tribal Placement Preferences.
          3. Regional ICW program consultants must, if a packet is:
            1. Accepted: 
              1. Assist tribes in sending the completed ICPC packet, including the ICPC Placement Request 100A DCYF 15-092 form, to HQ ICPC.
              2. Follow ICPC Placed Out-of-State policy. 
            2. Not accepted, notify the regional ICW program consultants and the tribes. 
  2. When an ICPC request is approved for out-of-state placement or payment through the ICPC for children who are or may be Indian children, child welfare employees must follow the Child Welfare ICPC Out-of-State policy.
  3. Follow the Child Welfare Documentation policy and document all ICW related communications and activities.

Forms

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placement Request DCYF 15-092

Resources

Child Welfare Documentation policy

Child Welfare Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed In Washington State policy

Child Welfare Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed Out-of-State policy

ICPC Packet Checklist and contact information (located on the ICPC page on the DCYF Intranet)