Revised 5-15-09

1. Processing out-of-state studies or assessments.  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) does not process applications from out-of-state adoptive parents, but accepts certified resource family studies or assessments from a licensed agency or public agency in another state.  In cooperation with a licensed adoption agency in another state, an adoptive family may be considered for an Oklahoma child.  The State Office Adoption Section coordinates placement and supervision with an agency in the state where the adoptive family resides.  All provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) are followed.  [OAC 340:75-15-61 and 340:75‑15‑82] Assessments for placement of single children under five years of age are not accepted, as most young children requiring adoptive placement are part of a sibling group or placed for adoption with a relative or foster parent.  Families requesting to adopt these children are given information about the types of children available through OKDHS and are encouraged to consider these children.

2.   (a) Procedures when Oklahoma is the sending state.  To initiate a request for an adoptive home study in another state, the child's Child Welfare (CW) worker submits Form 04IC002E, Interstate Compact Application Request to Place Child, and a referral packet to the contracted Deputy Compact Administrator (DCA).  An original and three copies of each document and five copies of Form 04IC002E are submitted.  Only requests for a specific child can be processed through ICPC.

(1) Referral packet.  The referral packet is a summary of the child's background, including:

(A) social information, which presents a clear statement of the relationship of the child to the proposed placement family;

(B) psychological information;

(C) educational information;

(D) Form ODH 347, Medical and Social History Report for Adoption;

(E) medical information;

(F) legal documents; and

(G) Form 04AN020E, Adoptive Placement Criteria Staffing.

(2) Referral request.

(A) The contracted DCA forwards the information to the ICPC office of the receiving state.

(B) The DCA in the receiving state refers the request to the local office or to a private agency.  When the adoptive home assessment is completed and sent to the ICPC office by the receiving state, it is approved or denied and sent back to the contracted DCA in Oklahoma.

(C) The child's CW worker opens an "Other Services Workload Request" to document in KIDS that a home assessment has been requested from another state.  The Type of Service Request is documented as ICPC-Sending Out-of-State.

(D) The contracted DCA in Oklahoma approves, denies, or requests additional information prior to taking action on the referral.  Receipt of an approved adoptive home assessment and an approved Form 04IC002E is not approval for an adoptive placement.  The child's CW worker determines whether this is the best plan for the child.

(E) The adoption specialist converts the "Other Services Workload Request" to a Resource once the completed approved home assessment has been received.  The Resource category is Adoption.

(F) Form 04AN024E, Placement Recommendation Worksheet, is completed for the recommended out-of-state family and submitted to the State Office along with a copy of the home assessment, Form 04AN022E, Child Profile Assessment for Adoption, Form 04AN020E, and Form 04IC002E.

(G) Prior to signing the placement affidavit, the family must be given full disclosure.

(b) Travel.  OKDHS does not assist with travel arrangements for independent or private agency adoptions.  For OKDHS adoptions, travel arrangements are coordinated between OKDHS and the adoptive family.  The payment for travel is negotiated between OKDHS and the adoptive family.  If the adoptive family is not able to make travel arrangements and pay for travel, the State Office Adoption DCA assists in arrangement of travel for custody children in coordination with the local CW worker.  The CW worker submits a signed Form 23AD001E, Application for Agency Travel, for each person who is traveling.  Form 23AD001E includes the child's date of birth and KK number.  A recent court order showing the child is in OKDHS custody and a travel itinerary are attached.

(c) Placement.  When the child is placed in another state, Form 04IC003E, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children Report on Child's Placement Status, is submitted by the CW worker to the contracted DCA.  This form is then sent to the ICPC office in the receiving state by the contracted DCA.  When a placement is approved, a copy of Form 04IC002E signed by the sending state DCA is sent to the supervising county.  When the child is placed in the adoptive home, an adoption case is opened in KIDS with the case type of Adoption.

(1) When the child is placed in the home upon receipt of Form 04IC003E, post placement supervision is provided by the receiving state.  Reports of supervision are submitted to the contracted DCA upon request.

(2) Documentation of the visits and services provided to the family by the receiving state is entered into the Contact Information screen of the Adoption case on KIDS.

(3) Medical expenses.  A child in the permanent custody of OKDHS is eligible for Oklahoma Medicaid, which may be a resource if the adoptive family cannot provide medical care.  Children who are Title IV-E eligible before placement will be eligible to receive Medicaid in the receiving state.  The majority of states also cover children who are non Title IV-E eligible.  A referral is made to the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, State Office Adoption Assistance Section, per OAC 340:75‑15‑129, for assistance in obtaining medical services in the receiving state.  If the receiving state does not cover children who are non Title IV-E eligible, the adoptive family is responsible for the child's medical expenses.

(4) When the adoptive parent(s) is ready to proceed with finalization of the adoption, the adoption specialist completes the ICPC Directive Authorizing Consent to Adoption found in the Outlook Public Folder STO DCFS/Adoption/ICPC Adoptions, and sends it as an attachment by e-mail to the State Office Adoption Services Section.  The form is signed by the Director's designee and is returned by mail to the adoption specialist.  The completed form is sent to the receiving state through the contracted DCA.

(5) After the adoption is finalized, all records pertaining to the adoption are submitted to the State Office, in accordance with OAC 340:75-15-108.

3.   Procedures when Oklahoma is the receiving state for a child who is in the custody of a public agency.  OKDHS completes adoptive home assessments for ICPC requests made by the public agency in other states.  When a public agency in another state requests an adoptive home assessment in Oklahoma, the adoption specialist or contractor completes an adoptive home assessment according to Form 04AF002E, Guidelines for Resource Family Assessment Bridge Family Profile.  The adoption specialist opens an Other Services Workload Request on KIDS.  The Type of Request is ICPC - Receiving into State.  Once the home assessment is completed and approved, the Other Services Workload Request is converted to a Resource.  The Resource Category is Other Services.  The Resource Type is ICPC/Adoptive.  The completed assessment is submitted to the ICPC contracted DCA.  When the child is placed in the adoptive home, an ICPC-Adoption case is opened in KIDS.

4.   Procedures when Oklahoma is the receiving state for a child who is in the custody of a non-public agency.  When a request for an adoptive home assessment is made by a person or private agency in the sending state, that person or agency is responsible for making arrangements for an assessment and supervision of the placement by a licensed child-placing agency or a person qualified by training or experience.  Exceptions must be approved by the DCA.