Full Text of ICPC Regulation No. 2

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You are on this page: Full Text of ICPC Regulation No. 2

Regulation No. 2
Public Court Jurisdiction Cases: Placements for Public Adoption or Foster Care in Family Settings and/or with Parents, Relatives

Regulation No. 2, as adopted on May 25, 1977 by the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, was repealed April 1999 and is replaced by the following: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, 2011.

Words and phrases used in this regulation have the same meanings 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 Regulation No. 2: The intent of this regulation is to provide at the request of a sending agency, a home study and placement decision by a receiving state for the proposed placement of a child with a proposed caregiver who falls into the category of: placement for public adoption, or foster care and/or with parents, or relatives.
  2. Regulation No. 2 does apply to cases involving children who are under the jurisdiction of a court for abuse, neglect or dependency, as a result of action taken by a child welfare agency: The court has the authority to determine supervision, custody and placement of the child or has delegated said authority to the child welfare agency, and the child is being considered for placement in another state.
    1. (a)   Children not yet placed with prospective placement resource: This Regulation covers consideration of a placement resource where the child has not yet been placed in the home. ICPC Regulation No. 7 Expedited Home Study can be used instead of Regulation No. 2 for this category when requirements are met for an expedited home study request.
    2. (b)   Change of status for children who have already been placed with ICPC approval: This regulation is used when requesting a new home study on the current approved placement resource. This might include an upgrade from unlicensed relative to licensed foster home or to adoption home placement category (see Regulation No. 3 section 2(a) Types of Placement Categories).
    3. (c)   Child already placed without ICPC approval, except when the child has relocated with the caregiver to the receiving state pursuant to Regulation 1: 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 state bearing full liability and responsibility 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. The receiving state is permitted to proceed, but not required to proceed with the home study/ICPC decision process, as long as the child is placed in violation of ICPC. The receiving state may choose to open the case for ICPC courtesy supervision but is not required to do so, as is required under ICPC Regulation No. 1 Relocation of Family Unit Cases.
  3. Placements made without ICPC protection: Regulation No. 2 does not apply to:
    1. (a)   A placement with a parent from whom the child was not removed: When the court places the child with a parent from whom the child was not removed, and the court has no evidence that the parent is unfit, does not seek any evidence from the receiving state that the parent is either fit or unfit, and the court relinquishes jurisdiction over the child immediately upon placement with the parent, the receiving state shall have no responsibility for supervision or monitoring for the court having made the placement.
    2. (b)   Sending court makes parent placement with courtesy check: When a sending court/agency seeks an independent (not ICPC-related) courtesy check for placement with a parent from whom the child was not removed, the responsibility for credentials and quality of the courtesy check rests directly with the sending court/agency and the person or party in the receiving state who agree to conduct the courtesy check without invoking the protection of the ICPC home study process. This would not prohibit a sending state from requesting an ICPC.
  4. Definitions and placement categories: (See Regulation No. 3)
  5. Sending state case documentation required with ICPC-100A request: The documentation provided with a request for prompt handling shall be current and shall include:
    1. (a)   A Form ICPC-100A fully completed.
    2. (b)   A Form ICPC-100B if the child is already placed without prior approval in the receiving state. The receiving state is not obligated to provide supervision until the placement has been approved with an ICPC-100A signed by the receiving state ICPC office, unless provisional approval has been granted.
    3. (c)   A copy of the current court order pursuant to which the sending agency has authority to place the child or, if authority does not derive from a court order, a statement of the basis on which the sending agency has authority to place the child and documentation that supervision is on-going.
    4. (d)   Signed statement required from assigned sending agency case manager:
      1. Confirming the potential placement resource is interested in being a placement resource for the child and is willing to cooperate with the ICPC process.
      2. Including the name and correct physical and mailing address of the placement resource and all available telephone numbers and other contact information for the potential placement resource.
      3. Describing the number and type of bedrooms in the home of the placement resource to accommodate the child under consideration and the number of people, including children, who will be residing in the home.
      4. Confirming the potential placement resource acknowledges that he/she has sufficient financial resources or will access financial resources to feed, clothe, and care for the child, including child care, if needed.
      5. That the placement resource acknowledges that a criminal records and child abuse history check will be completed for any persons residing in the home required to be screened under the law of the receiving state.
    5. (e)   A current case history for the child, including custodial and social history, chronology of court involvement, social dynamics and a description of any special needs of the child.
    6. (f)   Any child previously placed with placement resource in sending state: If the placement resource had any child placed with them in the sending state previously, the sending agency shall provide all relevant information regarding said placement to the receiving state, if available.
    7. (g)   Service (case) Plan: A copy of the child's case/service/permanency plan and any supplements to that plan, if the child has been in care long enough for a permanency plan to be required.
    8. (h)   Title IV-E Eligibility verification: 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)   Financial/Medical Plan: A detailed plan of the proposed method for support of the child and provision of medical services.
    10. (j)   A copy of the child's Social Security card or official document verifying correct Social Security Number, if available, and a copy of the child's birth certificate, if available.
  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/or electronic transmission, if acceptable by both sending and receiving state. The receiving state shall recognize and give effect to any such expedited transmission of an ICPC-100A and/or 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/or regulations related to the protection of confidentiality.
  7. Safe and Timely Interstate Home Study Report to be completed within sixty (60) calendar days. This report is not equivalent to a placement decision.
    1. (a)   Timeframe for completion of Safe and Timely Interstate Home Study Report: As quickly as possible, but not more than sixty (60) calendar days after receiving a home study request, the receiving state shall, directly or by contract, complete a study of the home environment for purposes of assessing the safety and suitability of the child being placed in the home. The receiving state shall return to the sending state a report on the results of the home study that shall address the extent to which placement in the home would meet the needs of the child. This report may, or may not, include a decision approving or denying permission to place the child. In the event the parts of the home study involving the education and training of the placement resource remain incomplete, the report shall reference such items by including an anticipated date of completion.
    2. (b)   Receiving state placement decision may be postponed: If the receiving state cannot provide a decision regarding approval or denial of the placement at the time of the safe and timely home study report, the receiving state should provide the reason for delay and an anticipated date for a decision regarding the request. Reasons for delay may be such factors as receiving state requires all relatives to be licensed as a foster home therefore ICPC office cannot approve an unlicensed relative placement request until the family has met licensing requirements. If such condition must be met before approval, a reasonable date for compliance shall be set forth in the receiving state transmittal accompanying the initial home study, if possible.
  8. Decision by receiving state to approve or deny placement resource (100A).
    1. (a)   Timeframe for final decision: Final approval or denial of the placement resource request shall be provided by receiving state Compact Administrator in the form of a signed ICPC-100A, as soon as practical but no later than one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days from receipt of the initial home study request. This six (6)-month window is to accommodate licensure and/or other receiving state requirements applicable to foster or adoption home study requests.
    2. (b)   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 facsimile transmission or 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 ICPC-100A) shall be mailed, sent electronically, if acceptable, or otherwise sent promptly to meet Article III(d) written notice requirements. The receiving state home study local agency shall not send the home study and/or recommendation directly to the sending state local agency without approval from the sending and receiving state ICPC offices.
    3. (c)   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 decline to provide a favorable determination pursuant to Article III(d) of the Compact if the receiving state Compact Administrator finds that based on the home study, the proposed caregiver would be unable to meet the individual needs of the child, including the child's safety, permanency, health, well-being, and mental, emotional and physical development.
    4. (d)   Authority of sending court/placing agency: When the receiving state has approved a placement resource, the sending court/placing agency has the final authority to determine whether to use the approved placement resource in the receiving state. The receiving state ICPC-100A approval expires six months from the date the 100A was signed by receiving state.
  9. Reconsideration of an ICPC denial: (requested by the sending ICPC Office)
    1. (a)   Sending state may request reconsideration of the denial within 90 days from the date 100A denying placement is signed by receiving state. The request can be with or without a new home study, see items 9(a)(1) and 9(a)(2) below. After 90 days there is nothing that precludes the sending state from requesting a new home study.
      1. Request reconsideration without a new home study: The sending ICPC office can request that the receiving state ICPC office reconsider the denial of placement of the child with the placement resource. If the receiving state ICPC office chooses to overturn the denial it can be based on review of the evidence presented by the sending ICPC office and any other new information deemed appropriate. A new 100A giving an approval without a new home study will be signed.
      2. Request new home study re-examining reasons for original denial: A sending ICPC office may send a new ICPC home study request if the reason for denial has been corrected; i.e., move to new residence with adequate bedrooms. The receiving state ICPC office is not obligated to activate the new home study request, but it may agree to proceed with a new home study to reconsider the denial decision if it believes the reasons for denial have been corrected. This regulation shall not conflict with any appeal process otherwise available in the receiving state.
    2. (b)   Receiving state decision to reverse a prior denied placement: The receiving state ICPC office has 60 days from the date formal request to reconsider denial has been received from the sending state ICPC office. If the receiving state ICPC administrator decides to change the prior decision denying the placement, an ICPC transmittal letter and the new 100A shall be signed reflecting the new decision.
  10. Return of child to sending state/Receiving state requests to return child to sending state:
    1. (a)   Request to return child to sending state at time of ICPC denial of placement: If the child is already residing in the receiving state with the proposed caregiver at the time of the above decision, and the receiving state Compact Administrator has denied the placement based on 8(c) then the receiving state Compact Administrator may request the sending state to arrange 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) working 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, if the receiving state Compact Administrator determines that the placement no longer meets the individual needs of the child, including the child's safety, permanency, health, well-being, and mental, emotional, and physical development, then the receiving state Compact Administrator may request that the sending state arrange 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) working days from the date of notice for removal unless otherwise agreed upon between the sending and receiving state ICPC offices.
    The receiving state request for removal may be withdrawn if the sending state arranges services to resolve the reason for the requested removal and the receiving and the sending state Compact Administrators mutually agree to the plan.
  11. Supervision for approved placement should be conducted in accordance with ICPC Regulation No. 11.
  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 is adopted 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, April 30–May 1, 2011.

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