[Untbunny]

After a year plus in SC waiting for a placement DH and I are searching for a sibling group in neighboring states. I know that the placement will be subject to the Interstate Compact. In all the reading we have yet to locate information on the exact procedure. Our specific question is this: at what point in the placement proceedings are we aware we have been matched? Will we attend the adoption presentation, receive the profiles and agree to adopt then the paperwork goes to IC? Or is the IC begun before we know of a possible placement?

We are so confused. We are asking those who have traveled this route to share a bit of their knowledge. Thanks ever so much!

[1sttimeadoptingPA]

You'll first have to search the photolistings of the neighboring states. Once you identify a child you are interested in, notify your caseworker. He/She will then send in your homestudy to the child's caseworker. If the child's caseworker thinks your family might be a potential match then there will be a matching meeting. Depending on the state you may or may not attend this. If it is decided that your family is the best match for the child, you and your caseworker will receive a call telling you. You will then arrange visits with the child. If you decide this is the child for your family then ICPC paperwork will be started. Exactly when it is started is up to the child's caseworker. In our case, we have had two visits so far, but ICPC has not been started even though we have said we want to adopt the child. I think they might be waiting until after the child visits our house before starting the paperwork. We've been told that the ICPC process can take anywhere from 3-9 months depending on the child's situation, caseworkers, and the states involved. Also, some states require a certain number of visits before ICPC can begin.

Hope this helps!

[angel619]

I'm also in SC, but only been waiting 7 months so far. I've already started looking at the photolisting for other states, just to open up my options. Its good to find out how ICPC works, just in case I end up being placed with a child out of state.

[mom2benkirill]

Here is how it is worked for us. We are in NY and have been matched with a boy in Maine.

1. got homestudied
2. looked on photo listings for 100 hours a day
3. our agency found our guy and the Maine worker came to meet us at our house (she was dropping off another child locally to be adopted)
4. we were informed a few days after the meeting we were the match
5. 1 month later had our 1st preadoptive visit (10 days of joy!!)
6. When we dropped our guy off the caseworker got our input, and of course we love him to death, and she said at that point she would file the ICPC work.
7. Our worker here in NY after informing her the visit was great, also stated that she would file the ICPC work!

So that is our time line. We are having another preadoptive visit in a few weeks and hopefully our guy will be home in June (7 months from homestudy to having another angel in our house). VERY QUICK!!