5602. Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed in Washington State

Approval: Jennifer Strus, Assistant Secretary

Effective Date: July 1984

Revised Date: October 31, 2014

Sunset Review: October 31, 2018


Purpose

To assess the safety and suitability of a placement resource and provide courtesy supervision at the request of a sending state for a child placed through interstate Compact in parent, relative, foster and adoptive homes in Washington State.

Laws

RCW Chapter 26.34 Interstate Compacts on Placement of Children

Safe & Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006 H. R. 5403

Policy

  1. ICPC In-State
    1. Request and Approval Process
      1. CA HQ ICPC receives a written request from another state to assess a placement resource.
      2. HQ ICPC approval is required before a child is placed in Washington State.
      3. HQ ICPC must document the placement request information in the ICPC record.
      4. Washington State may choose to contract out its ICPC home study or courtesy supervision services.
    2. Placement
      1. The sending state must place a child in Washington within six months of the placement approval date noted on the 100A form.
      2. The sending agency maintains jurisdiction and is responsible for the case work and financial obligations for the placement.
      3. CA worker must complete monthly health and safety visits.
      4. CA worker determines the placement no longer meets the needs of the child. The child may be removed from his or her home and placed in a safe and appropriate setting. The CA worker will notify HQ ICPC and the sending state.
      5. CA worker must submit quarterly supervision reports for biological parent, relative, foster or adoptive homes to the HQ ICPC office. HQ ICPC sends quarterly supervision reports to the sending state's ICPC office.
      6. HQ ICPC can request a child return to the sending state within 5 business days if the placement is no longer in the best interest of the child.
      7. The sending state cannot move toward finalizing a permanent plan until a period of supervision, placement stability and with a written recommendation from HQ ICPC.
    3. Closing an ICPC

      HQ ICPC closes the compact agreement when any of the following are met:

      1. A permanent plan for a child is achieved which occurs only after a period of supervision, placement stability and with agreement from HQ ICPC.
      2. A child is no longer placed in an approved placement.
      3. An approved ICPC placement will not be used.

Procedures

  1. ICPC In-State
    1. Request and Approval Process
      1. HQ ICPC receives the home study request and sends it to Central Intake for a non-CPS intake and case creation.
      2. HQ ICPC sends the home study request to the Washington State local office for assignment.
        1. Division of Licensed Resources completes relative, foster and adoptive home studies following the Family Home Study Guide.
        2. Division of Children and Family Services completes the parent home study using the Parent Home Study Guide.
      3. CA worker sends the completed home study with placement recommendations by the due date on the ICPC request. If the home study is not completed by the due date, a preliminary report or closing letter must be provided.
      4. The completed home study or closure letter is due no later than 180 calendar days after assignment.
      5. HQ ICPC will send the home study or closure letter and 100A placement decision to the sending state.
    2. Placement
      1. HQ ICPC sends notification to the local supervisor to begin supervision.
      2. Local office supervisor assigns the case for courtesy supervision.
      3. CA worker must complete the first health and safety visit no more than 30 calendar days after HQ ICPC case assignment to the local office is made. Continue monthly visits until HQ ICPC provides written notification to stop courtesy supervision.
      4. CA worker may remove the child and place he or she in a safe and appropriate placement if the ICPC placement no longer meets the needs of the child.
        1. CA worker must notify HQ ICPC and the sending state immediately.
        2. CA worker may place the child in a licensed facility or with relative or suitable persons using the Unlicensed Placements under Emergent and Urgent Circumstances procedures.
        3. In cases where the placement resource is uncooperative, and present danger exists, the CA worker must take a protective action.
        4. If a shelter care hearing is held, inform the court that the child is placed in Washington State pursuant to ICPC and that another state maintains legal jurisdiction. CA, the sending state and courts will work together until the child is returned to the sending state.
      5. CA worker must complete a quarterly supervision report and send to HQ ICPC within 10 business days after the last home visit of the quarter. HQ ICPC forwards the report to the sending state. HQ ICPC requests a written recommendation from CA worker regarding finalization of the permanent plan upon the request of sending state.
      6. HQ ICPC reviews recommendations and provides written decision to the sending state and the finalization of the permanent plan can occur.
      7. HQ ICPC will inform the sending state ICPC office of any placement concerns.
    3. Closing an ICPC
      1. HQ ICPC notifies the CA worker of ICPC case closure when:
        1. A permanent plan is achieved and the 100B form and/or court order is received.
        2. Placement is no longer in the child's best interest and notification was provided to the sending state of compact termination.
        3. A child returns to the sending state.
      2. HQ ICPC will provide written notification to the CA Worker when the ICPC is closed.
      3. HQ ICPC closes the FamLink case.

Forms and Tools

  • ICPC closure letter DSHS 27-104
  • ICPC Parent Home Study DSHS
  • Family Home Study DSHS 10-043

ICPC Page on the CA Intranet

  • Quarterly Supervision Form
  • Border agreement
  • ICPC Parent Home Study Guide

Resources

  • Family Home Study Guide for Social Service Specialists on the DLR page on the CA Intranet
  • Interstate Compact for Juveniles (ICJ) RCW 13.24
  • Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA)