ICPC Resources
This page provides resources related to California child welfare professionals' participation in the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
New to ICPC? Click here to learn more.
Looking for something else? Click here to browse additional resources.
Publications and Practice Guides
ICPC and CWS/CMS
- Quick Guide to CWS/CMS Release 6.8 Changes
- All County Letter 08-26: Federal and State Changes to Requirements for Interstate Placement of Children and Caregivers Rights
- All County Letter 10-31: Requirements for ICPC Pursuant to Federal Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006
- All County Letter 14-41: Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) Release 6.8 Changes for the ICPC and Certain Children Receiving Regional Center Benefits
Regulations and Forms
- Access regulations, forms, articles, and additional publications related to ICPC at the Association of Administrators for ICPC website.
- Access state contacts and resources at the California Department of Social Services' ICPC website.
ICPC Webinars
What is the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children?
The ICPC is a contract among member states and U.S. territories authorizing them to work together to ensure that children who are placed across state lines for foster care or adoption receive adequate protection and support services. The ICPC establishes procedures for the placement of children and fixes responsibility for agencies and individuals involved in placing children. To participate in the ICPC, a state must enact into law the provisions of the ICPC. In 1975, California adopted the provisions of the ICPC, now found at Family Code Section 7900, et seq. This statute designates the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as "the appropriate public authority" responsible for administration of ICPC.The purpose of the ICPC is to protect the child and the party states in the interstate placement of children so that:
- The child is placed in a suitable environment;
- The receiving state has the opportunity to assess that the proposed placement is not contrary to the interests of the child and that its applicable laws and policies have been followed before it approves the placement;
- The sending state obtains enough information to evaluate the proposed placement;
- The care of the child is promoted through appropriate jurisdictional arrangements; and
- The sending agency or individual guarantees the child legal and financial protection.
To learn more about ICPC and its history in the state of California, please visit the California Department of Social Services website.
To browse additional resources, please return to the main CHS Resource Barn website.