Full Text of ICPC Regulation No. 4

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You are on this page: Full Text of ICPC Regulation No. 4

Regulation No. 4
Residential Placement

Regulation No. 4, as adopted by the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children on April 20, 1983, was readopted in 1999 and amended in 2001, and is replaced by the following:

The following regulation, adopted by the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, is declared to be in effect on and after October 1, 2012.

Words and phrases used in this regulation have the same meaning as in the Compact, unless the context clearly requires another meaning. If a court or other competent authority invokes the Compact, the court or other competent authority is obligated to comply with Article V (Retention of Jurisdiction) of the Compact.

  1. Intent of this Regulation: It is the intent of Regulation No. 4 to provide for the protection and safety of children being placed in a residential facility in another state. Residential facility is further defined in Section 3 below.
    1. (a)   Approval by receiving state prior to placement: Approval prior to placement is required for the protection of the child and the sending agency making the placement. Sending agency includes the parent, guardian, court, or agency ultimately responsible for the planning, financing, and placement of the child as designated in section I of the form 100A. (See Article II(b) or Regulation 3, Section 4. (62) for full definition of sending agency.)
    2. (b)   Monitoring residential facility while child is placed: While children are placed in the receiving state, the receiving state ICPC office shall keep a record of all children currently placed at the residential facility through the ICPC process. The receiving state ICPC office shall notify the sending state ICPC office of any significant change of status at the residential facility that may be "contrary to the interests of the child" (Article III(d) or may place the safety of the child at risk of which the receiving state ICPC office becomes aware.
    3. (c)   Prevent children from being abandoned in receiving state: Once the sending agency makes a residential facility placement, the sending agency remains obligated under Article V to retain jurisdiction and responsibility for the child while the child remains in the receiving state until the child becomes independent, self-supporting, or the case is closed in concurrence with both the receiving and sending state ICPC offices. The role of the sending and receiving state ICPC offices is to promote compliance with Article V that children are not physically or financially abandoned in a receiving state.

  2. Categories of children: This regulation applies to cases involving children who are being placed in a residential facility by the sending agency, regardless of whether the child is under the jurisdiction of a court for delinquency, abuse, neglect, or dependency, or as a result of action taken by a child welfare agency.

    Age restrictions: (Regulation No. 3 Section 1(b)) The ICPC articles and regulations do not specify an age restriction at time of placement, but rather use the broad definition of "child." The sending state law may permit the extension of juvenile court jurisdiction and foster care maintenance payments to eligible youth up to age 21. Consistent with Article V, such youth should be served under ICPC if requested by the sending agency and with concurrence of the receiving state.

    1. (a)   Delinquent Child: Placement by a sending agency involving a delinquent child must comply with Article VI, Institutional Care of Delinquent Children, which reads as follows: "A child adjudicated delinquent may be placed in an institution in another party jurisdiction pursuant to this compact but no such placement shall be made unless the child is given a court hearing on notice to the parent or guardian with the opportunity to be heard prior to his being sent to such other party jurisdiction for institutional care and the court finds that:
      1. (1)   Equivalent facilities for the child are not available in the sending agency's jurisdiction; and
      2. (2)   Institutional care in the other jurisdiction is in the best interest of the child and will not produce undue hardship. (Hardship may apply to the child and his/her family.)
    2. (b)   A child not yet placed in a residential facility in another state: The primary application of this regulation is to request approval to place prior to placement at the residential facility.
    3. (c)   Change of status for a child: A new ICPC 100A and documents listed in Section 5 are required for a child who has been placed with prior ICPC approval, but now needs to move to a residential facility in this or another state, other than the child's state of origin.
    4. (d)   Child already placed without ICPC approval: For the safety and protection of all involved, placement in a residential facility should not occur until after the receiving state has approved the placement pursuant to Article III (d). When a child has been placed in a receiving state prior to ICPC approval, the case is considered a violation of ICPC, and the placement is made with the sending agency and residential facility remaining liable and responsible for the safety of the child. The receiving state may request immediate removal of the child until the receiving state has made a decision per ICPC, in addition to any other remedies available under Article IV. The receiving state is permitted to proceed with the residential facility request for approval, but is not required to proceed as long as the child is placed in violation of ICPC.
  3. Definition of "Residential Facility" covered by this regulation:
    1. (a)   Definition in ICPC Regulation No. 3 Section 4.(60) Residential facility or residential treatment center or group home: a facility providing a level of 24-hour, supervised care that is beyond what is needed for assessment or treatment of an acute condition. For purposes of the compact, residential facilities do not include institutions primarily educational in character, hospitals, or other medical facilities (as used in Regulation 4, they are defined by the receiving state). Residential facilities may also be called by other names in the receiving state, such as those listed under "Type of Care Requested on the ICPC 100A: Group Home Care, Residential Treatment Center, Child Caring Institution, and Institutional Care (Article VI), Adjudicated Delinquent."
    2. (b)   The type of license, if any, held by an institution is evidence of its character but does not determine the need for compliance with ICPC. Whether an institution is either generally exempt from the need to comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children or exempt in a particular instance is to be determined by the services it actually provides or offers to provide. In making any such determinations, the criteria set forth in this regulation shall be applied.
    3. (c)   The type of funding source or sources used to defray the costs of treatment or other services does not determine whether the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children applies.
  4. Definition of institutional facilities not covered by this regulation: In determining whether the sending or bringing of a child to another state is exempt from the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children by reason of the exemption for various classes of institutions in Article II(d), the following concepts and terms shall have the following meanings:
    1. (a)   "Primarily educational institution" means an institution that operates one or more programs that can be offered in satisfaction of compulsory school attendance laws, in which the primary purpose of accepting children is to meet their educational needs; and the educational institution does not do one or more of the following. (Conditions below would require compliance with this Regulation.)
      1. (1)   accepts responsibility for children during the entire year;
      2. (2)   provide or hold itself out as providing child care constituting nurture sufficient to substitute for parental supervision and control or foster care;
      3. (3)   provide any other services to children, except for those customarily regarded as extracurricular or co-curricular school activities, pupil support services, and those services necessary to make it possible for the children to be maintained on a 24-hour residential basis in the aforementioned school program or programs.
    2. (b)   "Hospital or other medical facility" means an institution for the acutely ill that discharges its patients when they are no longer acutely ill, which does not provide or hold itself out as providing child care in substitution for parental care or foster care, and in which a child is placed for the primary purpose of treating an acute medical problem.
    3. (c)   "Institution for the mentally ill or mentally defective" minors means a facility that is responsible for treatment of acute conditions, both psychiatric and medical, as well as such custodial care as is necessary for the treatment of such acute conditions of the minors who are either voluntarily committed or involuntarily committed by a court of competent jurisdiction to reside in it. Developmentally disabled has the same meaning as the phrase "mentally defective."
    4. (d)   Outpatient Services: If the treatment and care and other services are entirely out-patient in character, an institution for the mentally ill or developmentally disabled may accept a child for treatment and care without complying with ICPC.
  5. Sending state case documentation for Residential Facility Request: The documentation provided with a request for prompt handling shall be current and shall include:
    1. (a)   Form ICPC-100A fully completed (required for all residential facility requests).
    2. (b)   Form ICPC-100B required for all residential facility requests, if the child is already placed without prior approval in the receiving state.
    3. (c)   Court or other authority to place the child:
      1. (1)   Delinquent child—a copy of the court order indicating the child has been adjudicated delinquent stating that equivalent facilities are not available in the sending agency's jurisdiction and that institutional care in the receiving state is in the best interest of the child and will not produce undue hardship. (See Article VI or Section 2.A above.)
      2. (2)   Public agency child—For public court jurisdiction cases, the current court order is required indicating the sending agency has authority to place the child or, if authority does not derive from a court order, a written legal document executed in accordance with the laws of the sending state that provides the basis for which the sending agency has authority to place the child and documentation that supervision is on-going or a copy of the voluntary placement agreement, as defined in Section 472(f)(2) of the Social Security Act executed by the sending agency and the child's parent or guardian.
      3. (3)   Child in the custody of a relative or legal guardian—a current court order or legal document is required indicating the sending agency has the authority to place the child.
      4. (4)   Parent placement (no court involvement)—The 100A is required and must be signed by the sending agency with the box checked under legal status indicating the parent has custody or guardianship and any additional documents required by the sending or receiving state.
    4. (d)   Letter of acceptance from the residential facility: For some receiving states this is a mandatory document for all placement requests, including those submitted by a parent or guardian. It provides the receiving state ICPC office with indication that the residential facility has screened the child as an appropriate placement for their facility.
    5. (e)   A current case history for the child: (optional for placements requested under 5. (c) (3) and (4)), including custodial and social history, chronology of court involvement, social dynamics and a description of any special needs of the child.
    6. (f)   Service (case) plan: (optional for placements requested under 5.C(3) and (4))—A copy of the child's case or service or permanency plan and any supplements to that plan, if the child has been in care long enough for a permanency plan to be required.
    7. (g)   Financial and medical plan: A written description of the responsibility for payment of the cost of placement of the child in the facility, including the name and address of the person or entity that will be making the payment and the person or entity who will be otherwise financially responsible for the child. It is expected that the medical coverage will be arranged and confirmed between the sending agency and the residential facility prior to the placement.
    8. (h)   Title IV-E eligibility verification: (not required for parent placements)—An explanation of the current status of the child's Title IV-E eligibility under the Federal Social Security Act and Title IV-E documentation, if available. Documentation must be provided before placement is approved.
    9. (i)   Placement Disruption Agreement: Some states may require a signed Placement Disruption Agreement indicating who will be responsible for the return of the child to the sending state if the child disrupts or a request is made for the child's removal and return to the sending state.
  6. Methods for transmission of documents: Some or all documents may be communicated by express mail or any other recognized method for expedited communication, including FAX and electronic transmission, if acceptable by both the sending and the receiving state. The receiving state shall recognize and give effect to any such expedited transmission of an ICPC-100A and supporting documentation, provided that it is legible and appears to be a complete representation of the original. However, the receiving state may request and shall be entitled to receive originals or duly certified copies of any legal documents if it considers them necessary for a legally sufficient record under its laws. All such transmissions must be sent in compliance with state laws and regulations related to the protection of confidentiality.
  7. Decision by receiving state to approve or deny placement resource (100A).
    1. (a)   Receiving state decision process: The receiving state ICPC office reviews the child specific information and the current status of the residential facility. The receiving state ICPC office approves or denies the placement based on a determination that "the proposed placement does not appear to be contrary to the interests of the child" (ICPC Article III(d)). The ICPC office may as part of its review process verify that the residential facility is properly licensed and not under an investigation by law enforcement, child protection, or licensing staff for unfit conditions or illegal activities that might place the child at risk of harm.
      1. (1)   Receiving state ICPC office may check to make sure the child is an appropriate match for the category of residential facility program.
      2. (2)   Receiving state ICPC office may check with the residential facility program to ensure that the request to place the child has been fully reviewed and officially accepted before ICPC approval is granted.
    2. (b)   Time frame for final decision: Final approval or denial of the placement resource request shall be provided by the receiving state compact administrator in the form of a signed ICPC 100A as soon as practical, but no later than three (3) business days from receipt of the complete request by the receiving state ICPC office. It is recognized that some state ICPC offices must obtain clearances from child protection, residential facility licensing and law enforcement before giving approval for a residential facility placement.
    3. (c)   Expedited communication of decision: If necessary or helpful to meet time requirements, the receiving state ICPC office may communicate its determination pursuant to Article III(d) to the sending agency's state Compact Administrator by FAX or other means of electronic transmission, if acceptable to both receiving and sending state. However, this may not be done before the receiving state Compact Administrator has actually recorded the determination on the ICPC 100A. The written notice (the completed ICPC100A) shall be mailed, sent electronically, if acceptable, or otherwise sent promptly to meet Article III(d) written notice requirements.
    4. (d)   Authority of receiving state to make final decision: The authority of the receiving state is limited to the approval or denial of the placement resource. The receiving state may approve or deny the placement resource if the receiving state Compact Administrator finds based upon the review of the child specific information and on the review of the current status of the residential facility, "the proposed placement does not appear to be contrary to the interests of the child." (ICPC Article III.(d))
    5. (e)   Emergency Residential Facility Placement Temporary Decision: Occasionally residential facility placements need to be made on an emergency basis. In those limited cases, sending and receiving state offices may, with mutual agreement, proceed to authorize emergency placement approval. Such emergency placement decision must be made within one business day or other mutually agreed timeframe, based upon receipt by the receiving state of the ICPC-100A request and any other document required by the receiving state to consider such emergency placement; e.g., a financial medical plan and a copy of a court order or other authority to make the placement. If emergency placement approval is temporarily granted, the formal ICPC placement approval will not be final until there has been full compliance with Sections 5 and 7 of this regulation.
  8. Authority of sending agency: When the receiving state has approved a placement resource, the sending agency has the final authority to determine whether to use the approved placement resource in the receiving state. The receiving state ICPC-100A approval for placement in a residential facility expires thirty calendar days from the date the 100A was signed by the receiving state. The thirty (30) calendar day timeframe can be extended upon mutual agreement between the sending and receiving state ICPC offices.
  9. Submission of ICPC-100B: Upon determination by the sending agency to use the approved resource, the sending agency is responsible for filing an ICPC-100B Notice of Placement with the Sending State ICPC office within three (3) business days of the actual placement. That notice is to be submitted to the receiving state ICPC office, who is to forward the ICPC-100B to the residential facility within five (5) business days of receipt of the ICPC-100B.
  10. Supervision Expectations:
    1. (a)   Residential Facility: The residential facility is viewed as the agency responsible for the 24-hour care of a child away from the child's parental home. In that capacity the residential facility is responsible for the supervision, protection, safety, and well-being of the child. The sending agency making the placement is expected to enter into an agreement with the residential facility as to the program plan or expected level of supervision and treatment and the frequency and nature of any written progress or treatment reports.
    2. (b)   Receiving state local child welfare workers and probation staff are not expected to provide any monitoring or supervision of children placed in residential facility programs. The one exception are those children who may become involved in an incident or allegation occurring in the receiving state that may involve the receiving state law enforcement, probation, child protection or, ultimately, the receiving state court.
    3. (c)   "Sending" agency making placement: The frequency and nature of monitoring visits by the sending agency or individual making the placement are determined by the sending agency in accordance with applicable laws.
  11. Return of child to sending state at the request of receiving state:
    1. (a)   Request to return child to sending state at time of ICPC denial of placement: If the child is already placed in the receiving state residential facility at the time of the decision, and the receiving state Compact Administrator has denied the placement, then the receiving state Compact Administrator may request the sending state ICPC office to facilitate with the sending agency for the return of the child as soon as possible or propose an alternative placement in the receiving state as provided in Article V(a) of the ICPC. The alternative placement resource must be approved by the receiving state before placement is made. Return of the child shall occur within five (5) business days from the date of notice for removal unless otherwise agreed upon between the sending and receiving state ICPC offices.
    2. (b)   Request to return child to sending state after receiving state ICPC had previously approved placement: Following approval and placement of the child in the residential facility, if the receiving state Compact Administrator determines that the placement "appears to be contrary to the interests of the child," then the receiving state Compact Administrator may request that the sending state ICPC office facilitate with the sending agency for the return of the child as soon as possible or propose an alternative placement in the receiving state as provided in Article V(a) of the ICPC. That alternative placement resource must be approved by the receiving state before placement is made. Return of the child shall occur within five (5) business days from the date of notice for removal, unless otherwise agreed upon between the sending and receiving state ICPC offices.
    The receiving state ICPC office's request for removal may be withdrawn if the sending agency arranges services to resolve the reason for the requested removal and the receiving and the sending state Compact Administrators mutually agree to the plan.
  12. Words and phrases used in this regulation have the same meanings as in the Compact, unless the context clearly requires another meaning.
  13. This regulation was amended pursuant to Article VII of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children by action of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children at its annual meeting May 4 through 7, 2012; such amendment was approved on May 5, 2012 and is effective as of October 1, 2012.

ICPC Regulations

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