Out-of-State Children (ICPC)

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is a law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It establishes procedures for the interstate placement of children, and outlines responsibilities for those involved in placing a child.

Not all the resources and supports on this website are available to you because the child you may be caring for is under another state’s legal jurisdiction.

Purpose:

  • Children are placed in a safe environment that has been approved by the receiving state (where the proposed caregiver lives).
  • The receiving state supervises the placement.
  • The sending state (where the child is coming from) remains financially and legally responsible for the child.
  • If the placement is no longer viable, the child is assured of return to the sending state. 

Placements covered by ICPC:

  • Placements with parents, relatives, foster care, group homes, and residential facilities when child welfare agencies have jurisdiction.
  • Private placements in residential or group care facilities.
  • Private adoption placements through agencies and attorneys.

Placement into Washington State through ICPC

Placement into Washington state is outlined below.

Home study process:

  • DCYF gets a request, often called an "ICPC packet," from the sending state.
  • The home study is assigned to a local worker to complete.
  • Please do not attempt to get your own home study through a private agency, this could end up causing delays. If the sending state contracts with a private agency for the home study, that information will be in the ICPC packet.
  • Washington sends the status of the home study called a “preliminary report” to the sending state around the 60th day of home study assignment.
  • The full home study can take two to six months to complete.
  • Families that are quick to engage, maintain contact with the home study writer, and get paperwork and other tasks completed quickly generally have home studies completed timely.

After the home study is completed:

  • The Washington ICPC Office reports the results and ICPC placement decision, approval or denial, to the sending state’s ICPC office.
  • If approved, the approval is valid for six months. The sending state decides when or if to place the child.
  • When the sending state notifies Washington ICPC of the child's placement. A local worker is assigned to provide courtesy supervision.
  • The child may qualify for medical coverage in Washington state. The courtesy supervision worker will inform you if medical has been opened for the child or if you need to apply. If medical coverage cannot be accessed, the sending state is responsible for medical for the child.
  • The sending state may make foster payments to the caregivers based on their rules.
  • The sending state maintains their legal jurisdiction, including case planning.
  • Before the sending state closes the case, Washington state will provide courtesy supervision for a minimum of six months before recommending finalization of the permanent plan.

Key Terms:

ICPC Packet - request for a home study includes required documents such as legal paperwork, and the financial/medical plan. It also includes child-specific information and a case plan based on the child’s behaviors and needs.

ICPC Home Study - an assessment and report that is completed to have a child placed from another state in your home. The home study will assess a family’s ability to provide a safe and healthy environment for young people in a state’s custody.

The family’s home study writer looks at the caregiver’s individual and shared background in many areas that include, but are not limited to:

  • Parenting experience
  • Relationships
  • Support systems
  • Resources
  • Home environment

Jurisdiction - authority based on legal intervention, to make decisions related to the case/child.

Receiving State - state where the proposed caregivers live.

Sending State - state that has legal jurisdiction of the child. 

Courtesy Supervision - visits monitoring the child in their placement and reporting back to the sending state. There is a minimum of one health and safety visit per month, most of the visits must occur in the family home.