The Interstate Compact Unit provides support and manages services related to the movement of children across state lines in need of probation and aftercare supervision and/or placement services including foster care, relative care, and adoption. The office also provides technical assistance to families, agencies, attorneys, and courts.

This work is guided by compact agreements between member states and territories. The following compact agreements and laws provide guidance regarding transfer of supervision procedures and interstate placements: 

• Del C. 31 § 5402 – ICAMA
• Del C. 31 §5203 – ICJ
• Del C. 31 §381 – ICPC
• PL 100-300 USC 42§11601 – ICAR
• PL 96-272 – AA & CWA
• PL 95-608 25 USC §1901 – ICWA

The Compacts

The Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) establishes procedures for the placement of children across state lines. The following types of placements are included in the ICPC:

• Placement preliminary to adoption
• Placement into foster care with related or unrelated caregivers
• Placement with parents and relatives when a parent or relative is not making the placement
• Placement into group homes, residential treatment facilities, and institutional care for all children, including those accused or adjudicated delinquent

The Interstate Compact Office contracts with private agencies to provide home studies and supervision for placements referred to Delaware from other states. Interstate placements are monitored for the continued appropriateness of the home and the provision of benefits and services.

You can learn more about the ICPC by visiting the website of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children: https://aphsa.org/AAICPC/default.aspx

Intercountry Placements and Adoptions
Contact the U.S. Department of State Office of Children’s Issues for information about intercountry placement and adoption procedures:
Call:    1-888-407-4747 (from the US and Canada) and
+ 1 202-501-4444 (from outside the US)
Email: Adoption@state.gov

Visit:   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption.html

The Interstate Compact for Juveniles (ICJ) establishes uniform procedures governing interstate transfer of probation and aftercare supervision in a manner that promotes rehabilitation through the provision of effective services and responsive supervision. This compact also includes provisions for the return of youth who have runaway.

The Interstate Commission for Juveniles provides coordination and oversight for compact regulations and data collection. You can learn more about the ICJ by visiting the Commission’s website: https://www.juvenilecompact.org/.

The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) allows states to coordinate the provision of medical benefits and services to children receiving adoption assistance in interstate cases. The compact provides a framework for uniformity and consistency in procedures when a child with special needs is adopted by a family from another state, or the adoptive family moves to another state.

You can learn more about the ICAMA by visiting the website of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance: https://aaicama.org/cms/

Interstate Compact Unit

Interstate Compact Administrator, ICPC,ICJ,ICAMA
Francis M. Casey
Francis.Casey@delaware.gov
302-633-2678

Deputy Interstate Compact Administrator
Christine Norris
ICPC-ICJ-ICAMA (cases by last name M-Z)
Christine.Norris@delaware.gov
302-633-2648

Deputy Interstate Compact Administrator
Erin Breitigan
ICPC, ICJ, ICAMA (Last name beginning with A-L)
Erin.Breitigan@delaware.gov
302-633-2698

Related Topics:  case management, children, children services, compact, court, delaware, DSCYF, FACTS, family, interstate, kids, liaison, State of Delaware, unit, youth