[All Boys]

Ok we live in Missouri and are considering a situtatoin through the state of Oregon... I am wondering if there is anyone out here that does not live in Oregon, but has adopted through the state there....
I am wanting more info on there ICPC process... I am not at all familiar with the process..
So any help at all will be greatly appreciated...
Thank You

[All Boys]

No takers... On helping me out here????
I would greatly appreciate any help guys....

Thanks and God Bless

[waiting home]

Well . . . . we are right in the middle.

All I can tell you right now is it is a hassle. Very slow moving, lack of cooperation and always a different reason why everything takes so long.

We are waiting and waiting and waiting. Our new daughter (from Oregon, we are in Illinois) is waiting to. She is doing very poorly in school because she feels that everyone is not working hard enough to get her to Illinois. In fact, we are ending up to be the "bad guys".

The problem is there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. I call the worker and supervisor every few days and am promised that they are working on it. Asked for the ICPC (the guy who is controlling this whole mess) and I am not allowed to speak with him.

We are very frustrated and as far as we are concerned, those who are supposedly looking out for the "best interest of the child" are setting this up to fail all over paperwork and money.

All I can tell you is be prepared for a loooooooooong frustrating process that you have absolutely no control or say over. I wish I could be more positive.

As they tell us "maybe next week."

[mj77]

I too am unfamiliar with the ICPC. Is this in Oregon or in your state of Illinois? Or is is centered somewhere else? I understand they handle the processing of the paperwork and adoption to happen in the residing state--am I right?

[waiting home]

Hi there,

There is actually an ICPC from both states and both have to approve everything before visiting and then placement can occur. It's a lot of back and forth and waiting for piddly things (ex: an acceptance letter that has to be on a specific letterhead, faxed but not valid until the mailed copy is received.)

We are experiencing a lot of lack of communication between both the ICPCs and the social workers. I get the feeling that we (pre-adoptive parents) have been more involved (than we should be) in the behind the scences and constantly pushing the process along.

If you have any experience with special needs (special ed) at school, then you know what I am trying to explain. Lots of bureaucracy, waiting, disappointment, worry, compromise (sometimes too much) and then finally a half-baked end product that you will finish up on your own.

That is how I am anticipating this to end up. I see the pattern. After going through all of this, I now see why many children wait so long and pre-adopts back out. I wish there was a better way.

I think though sometimes its just the human element too. Somebody rubs someone the wrong way (worker personality conflicts), new workers, etc and then things tend to take longer than necessary.

Just buckle down for the long haul. It is something you as the pre-adopt have no control over.

It is just so ironic that they will drop foster children off at your home in the middle of the night when the child is in a total crisis; yet when you are willing to make a committment to a child who is ready for adoption, it is unbelievably difficult on all parties.

ICPC is only a bump in the road; its not the worst part. From what I understand its someone who sorts through the papers, makes sure everything is there, then approves (on the "appropriate letterhead").

Best wishes

[waiting home]

ICPC is ONLY involved when the child is being transfered to another state. Oregon releasing the child to Illinois and Illinois accepting responsibility for the child.

All terms have to be agreed upon before placement as it is a legal contract and usually involves negotiation between the workers on what the child needs, who will pay for what, etc.

[mj77]

So if a child was being adopted from state A to state B, the ICPC is in process for the child from state A to finalize the adoption in state B? Do I have that right?

[waiting home]

Well, its not really about the finalization. The adoption can be finalized in either state. That is part of the negotiation to.

It basically says that since the child is a ward of the state of Oregon (Oregon is responsible for this child), ICPC is the middleman to transfer responsibility of the child over to Illinois (or any other state) until the adoption is finalized. Illinois is now responsible for this child during the 6 mos. to 1 yr. supervision period. She will have an Illinois caseworker, etc. We as her pre-adoptive parents are basically her new "foster parents" during this supervision period.

ICPCs (both) makes sure everything is legal, above the table, etc. To make an analogy (although I don't know that I won't offend anyone), ICPCs are like title companies (when you buy a house) that make sure that all of the legalities are taken care of and that the child gets what she needs in order to be successful in this placement. They work with the agency (in their state) and do the negotiating for their agency with the out of state ICPC. They are negotiators and it basically keeps the agencies from bickering back and forth (I think, anyway).

Most importantly, they are the gatekeepers on financial matters (services, payment for visits and placement, etc.)

Does that help, or make it even more confusing?

It is a federal thing. All states enter into the ICPC when their child is to be placed out of state. It is not just certain states.

[floridastoops]

So can you explain if the recieving state will do another home study type thing even if your home study is good with a private agency?