Interstate Placement
The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) provides laws and guidelines on when and how a child may be placed across state lines. The ICPC (the Compact) covers specific placements, such as those with foster families, with adoptive families prior to adoption, and with other parents or relatives. The Compact also outlines the procedures for interstate placements and the laws that govern them.
What Does the ICPC Do?
The Compact was created to protect children in interstate placements under different jurisdictions than their home jurisdictions. Children are vulnerable in interstate placements, especially when far from family. Specifically, the Compact:
- Ensures the child’s home state can obtain evaluations and home studies from the proposed interstate placement home
- Allows the receiving state can confirm the placement would be in the child’s best interests and complies with state laws
- Grants the child certain legal and financial protections from the sending agency or individual
- Ensures the child’s sending agency maintains jurisdiction over the child and placement
- Allows the sending agency to receive reports on the child’s progress in the interstate placement
Collectively, these protections make sure children put in interstate placements are still granted the same rights as they would had they been placed in their home state.
Why the ICPC Is Necessary
New Jersey’s CPS agency, the DCPP, is required to make reasonable efforts to place children in their home jurisdictions, ideally near siblings and in their same school district. But, due to a number of factors, interstate placements are sometimes the best option. If there are no suitable foster placements for the child within the state, interstate placement might be necessary.
Dealing With Foster Placement
Speak with a child abuse defense attorney in New Jersey if your child is being put in foster placement. An attorney can explain how foster placement works, what protections your child will be granted, and how you can stay involved in the process. Unfortunately, DCPP caseworkers aren’t always able to provide personalized guidance during this process. Thus, many parents feel overwhelmed and threatened when their child is taken from them. If you find yourself in this situation, you need a legal advocate who can ensure your child’s rights are defended, and you stay rightfully involved in his or her placement.
Do you have questions about foster placement in New Jersey? If so, Williams Law Group, LLC can help. Our skilled attorneys can help you in matters involving the DCPP. Located in Short Hills, New Jersey, Williams Law Group, LLC provides compassionate and dedicated legal services to Union, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties, and the surrounding areas. Our knowledgeable attorneys handle divorce and family law, child custody, and child abuse/neglect cases. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation and ultimately get you connected with an experienced New Jersey divorce and child custody attorney.
