5601. Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed Out-of-State

Applies To:  This policy applies to caseworkers.

Policy Number & Title: 5601. Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed Out-of-State

Effective Date:  July 1, 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to seek a safe and suitable placement resource and courtesy supervision for a Washington State child placed out-of-state through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).

Authority 

PL 109-239  Safe & Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act

Chapter 13.24 RCW  Interstate Compact for Juveniles 

Chapter 26.34 RCW  Interstate Compact on Placement of Children

RCW 74.13A.125  Interstate Agreements for Adoption of Children with Special Needs-Adoption Assistance and Medical Assistance in State Plan

WAC 110-50-0460  Reimbursement to foster families that reside in or move to another state.

WAC 110-50-0580  To whom does the department make payment for foster care.

Policy

  1. ICPC Out-of-State
    1. Request and Approval Process
      1. An ICPC request and approval is required prior to:
        1. Sending a dependent child or youth out-of-state for placement with the following:
          1. Biological parents - unless the court has found the parent to be fit and that placement with the parent is in the child's or youth’s best interest.
          2. Relatives
          3. Foster home
          4. Adoptive home
          5. Residential program or group care facility.
        2. Sending children or youth who are or may be Indian out-of-state if the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or the tribe has jurisdiction and would like to request an ICPC, per the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Requests and Payments for ICPC for Indian Children policy.
      2. Caseworkers must contact the Washington State probation or parole office when a child or youth is on probation or parole to verify the applicability of Interstate Compact on Juveniles prior to submitting an ICPC request.
      3. Headquarter (HQ) ICPC must receive approval from the receiving state's ICPC Compact Administrator or alternate prior to a child's or youth’s out-of-state placement.
      4. States may choose to contract out their ICPC home study or courtesy supervision services. Washington State cannot impose any restrictions on another state's decision to contract out for these services.
    2. Placement
      1. Caseworkers must place a child or youth in an out-of-state placement within six months of the placement approval date on the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Placement Request – 100A DCYF 15-092.
      2. DCYF maintains jurisdiction after a child or youth is placed out-of-state and is responsible for the case work and financial obligations including medical and educational expenses.
      3. Caseworkers must request monthly health and safety visits from the receiving state.
      4. HQ ICPC receives Supervision Reports quarterly from the receiving state for a child or youth in an approved parent, relative, foster or adoptive ICPC out-of-state placement. HQ forwards the report to the caseworker.
      5. A child or youth placed out-of-state must return to Washington State within 5 business days if the receiving state requests return.
      6. Caseworkers must notify HQ ICPC if an ICPC violation has occurred and work diligently to come into ICPC compliance. Coming into compliance could include:
        1. Submitting an ICPC request to DCYF HQ.
        2. Returning a child or youth to Washington State.
      7. HQ ICPC must maintain the ICPC record in FamLink.
      8. Written concurrence from the receiving state's ICPC office must be received prior to finalizing a permanent plan, changing a placement, or transferring custody.
    3. Closing an ICPC
      HQ ICPC closes the ICPC case when any of the following occur:
      1. A permanent plan for the child or youth is achieved which occurs only after a period of supervision, placement stability and by agreement of the receiving state's ICPC office.
      2. A child or youth is no longer placed in an approved placement.
      3. An approved ICPC placement will not be used. 

Forms

Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Placement Request – 100A DCYF 15-092 

Resources 

Health and Safety Visits with Children and Youth and Monthly Visits with Parents and Caregivers policy

Indian Child Welfare Requests and Payments for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children for Indian Children policy

Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Placed Out-of-State procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Original Date:  July 1, 1984

Revised Date:  July 1, 2024

Review Date:  July 31, 2028

Approved by:  Natalie Green, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Division