ICPC process

When I began this arduous journey, the journey of adoption--many of the processes that you have to go through were just a blurry unreadable line at the end of pages and pages of more exciting things; things like how to search online for waiting children for example. 

I don't even recall hearing the acronym ICPC. Ever.

Maybe there are some of you out there who haven't heard of it either. If you adopt a child within your own state, you might not ever hear it.

The child we chose is from another state. Washington State. And so, when our lovelygirl became legally free, they had to start the ICPC process.  Depending on who is in charge of sending or receiving the documents, you may be looking at a process that could take under 30 days to accomplish, or up to 90 days.

Because of delays, ours will take longer. Paperwork sat on a desk, waiting for "protocol" to be completed with no one even checking on it for almost 2 weeks. Those essential tasks were finally done, and it began moving again...but another hiccup could stop it in it's tracks.

We've come to accept this. Patience is a virtue, right?

So, I thought I might give you all a looksy at how the process MIGHT take if you decide to adopt from another state. If you do, be ready to be schooled in the art of patience!

If you are like me, and like to be a part of helping the process along, forget it...you have no control!

So here it is; a shortened version:

• Documents are filed with sending state’s ICPC. They review it and make a request to their DSHS contracts office to modify contract for post placement supervision, adding the child.

• A Purchase of Service (POS) has to be sent to receiving state’s ICPC, signed and sent back.

• ICPC sends the docs on to receiving state’s ICPC. They review it and make a request to appropriate county DHS to certify you for foster care.

• The contracts office will contact agency’s office and both sign a modified contract.

• Your county DHS will call you and set up a time for a certifier to come out to your home.

• They may also run a new background check, and you may need to be fingerprinted again.

• The contracts office will notify sending state’s ICPC when the new contract is in place.

• Your county DHS will notify receiving state’s ICPC when the foster certification study is complete.

• In the meantime, there is nothing to prevent more visits between you and your child.

• Receiving state’s ICPC will sign their approval of the placement.

• Sending state’s ICPC will sign their approval of the placement.

• Receiving state’s ICPC notifies you.

• You go get your child/children and bring him/her/them home!

So, where are WE at in this process??? Lovelygirl was declared legally free on December 7th. Holidays stopped the process in it's tracks. Other delays caused more hiccups. One was that the POS couldn't be sent because our lovelygirl was never put on the WARE list. Another hiccup came when lovelygirl had to be moved to a new foster home. (won't EVEN go there!)
 
We are only on the third bulletin!
 
Suffice it to say, I am learning much patience, but through it all, our hearts remain firm in the resolve to bring our lovelygirl home. She is ours! Time won't change that!
 
So, take THAT you ICPC process!  (smile)