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9000 Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)

9100 The DFPS ICPC Coordinator and SSCC Equivalent

CPS September 2026

The regional DFPS or SSCC Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) coordinator acts as the liaison between the DFPS or SSCC caseworker and the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO). Each DFPS region and SSCC area in Texas has one primary ICPC coordinator and one alternate ICPC coordinator.

Whether Texas is the sending state or the receiving state, the ICPC coordinator must do all of the following:

  • Review all ICPC referrals from his or her region for accuracy and completeness.
  • Ensure that all ICPC referrals are processed expeditiously to meet federal guidelines related to the Safe and Timely Act (Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006, P.L. 109-239).
  • Provide technical assistance to DFPS and SSCC caseworkers regarding general ICPC inquiries.

9200 Placing Children from Texas in Another State

CPS September 2026

For requirements when placing a child with a non-custodial parent in another state, see policy on 4513.1 Placing a Child with an Out-of-State Non-Custodial Parent and its subsections.

9210 Processing and ICPC Request from Texas

9211 ICPC Coordinator Review and Approval

CPS September 2026

The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent receives the ICPC request packet through IMPACT after the DFPS or SSCC supervisor approves it.

The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent must do both of the following:

  • Review the ICPC request packet for completeness and for compliance with applicable compact requirements, Texas laws, and DFPS policies.
  • Submit the approved ICPC request packet to the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) through IMPACT.

9212 Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) Review and Processing

CPS September 2026

Every state has an interstate compact office. In Texas, that office is the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO), which is part of DFPS.

TICO must:

  • Coordinate interstate placements with the compact offices in other states.
  • Advise child placing agencies, including DFPS, about making and supporting such placements.

Review

After receiving the ICPC request packet through IMPACT, TICO staff must review and approve it for completeness and compliance with applicable compact requirements, Texas laws, and DFPS policies.

Processing

If the ICPC request packet is complete and correct, TICO staff must:

  • Print the ICPC request packet to an Adobe file and add all of the following to the file:
    • The most current Child’s Plan of Service.
    • The case plan.
    • Any other documents that are available for this youth.
  • Sign and date the Placement Request (100A).
  • Send the ICPC request packet and Form 100A through National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise (NEICE) or email for non-NEICE states.
9212.1 Missing Information

CPS September 2026

Critical Information

If critical information is missing, TICO must immediately contact the following to ask that the missing information be sent to TICO:

  • The primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker or supervisor.
  • The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent where the request was initiated.

If TICO does not receive the missing information within three business days, TICO must return the ICPC request packet to the DFPS or SSCC caseworker to be corrected and resubmitted.

A checklist of critical information can be found in the ICPC Resource Guide.

9213 Obtaining the Other State's Decision on an Interstate Placement

CPS September 2026

The other state’s interstate compact office reviews the ICPC request packet and forwards it to the other state’s child protection agency. The agency must:

  • Review the ICPC request packet.
  • Conduct the home screening.
  • Send the home screening results, along with its placement recommendation, to the other state’s interstate compact office.
9213.1 Notification

CPS September 2026

The other state’s compact office notifies TICO about its decision by:

  • Completing Section IV of the Placement Request (100A).
  • Sending the following information to TICO:
    • One copy of the home screening.
    • One copy of the signed Placement Request (100A) with the placement recommendation.

TICO must upload the home screening and signed Placement Request (100A) in IMPACT.

Federal law requires states to complete a home screening and provide a written report on the results of the screening to the sending state within 60 calendar days of receiving a placement request. It does not require that a placement decision be made within 60 days or that prospective caregivers complete training or education requirements within that time.

42 U.S.C. §671(a)(26)

9213.2 Request for Home Study Approval Extension

CPS September 2026

Approval of an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) placement is valid for 180 days from the date that the other state’s interstate compact office approves and signs the Placement Request (100A). DFPS or the SSCC has until the end of the approval period to determine whether to place the child with the family.

The other state’s interstate compact office may give an extension to allow a child to complete the school year or semester. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker notifies TICO for approval of an extension before the Placement Request (100A) expires. If an extension goes beyond six months, the approval expires, and the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must begin the approval process again.

9214 Placing a Child in the Other State

CPS September 2026

Once the other state’s interstate compact office approves the placement and a Texas court allows the placement to proceed, the primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker must make the necessary arrangements to place the child outside of Texas.

9214.1 Notifying the Other State

CPS September 2026

After placing the child in the other state, the child’s primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker documents the child’s placement in IMPACT, completes the Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC 100B, and submits the 100B to supervisor for approval.

IMPACT submits the100B to the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent and to the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) as secondary approvers.

TICO must do all of the following:

  • Print the Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) from IMPACT.
  • Sign and date the 100B.
  • Send the 100B to the receiving state to notify the state that the child has been placed and to initiate courtesy supervision.
9214.11 Retaining Jurisdiction

CPS September 2026

Once a child is placed in the other state, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children requires DFPS to retain jurisdiction until one of the following happens:

  • The child is adopted.
  • The child reaches the age of majority.
  • The child becomes self-supporting.
  • The receiving state agrees with discharging the child or dismissing the legal case.

Texas Family Code §162.102 Article V

9214.2 Canceling a Placement Request

CPS September 2026

If for any reason the primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker needs to cancel the placement request, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does all the following:

  • Completes Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) in IMPACT.
  • Submits the cancellation to the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent.

The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent does the following:

  • Approves the cancellation in IMPACT.
  • Submits the 100B to TICO for secondary approval.

TICO must do all of the following:

  • Print the Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) from IMPACT.
  • Sign and date the 100B.
  • Send the 100B to the receiving state to notify the state that the placement request is cancelled.

9215 Closing an ICPC Case

CPS September 2026

Final Recommendation

If the child’s primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker assesses that supervision is no longer needed, he or she must contact Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) to request concurrence from the other state. If the other state’s child protection agency agrees that the placement of a child out of state no longer needs to be supervised, the other state’s child protection agency prepares a final supervisory report recommending a legal action that will close the child’s case and complete the interstate placement process. The other state’s child protection agency sends a final report to the other state’s compact office.

If the compact office agrees with the agency’s recommendation, the compact office prepares an ICPC transmittal letter and sends the ICPC transmittal letter and the final report to TICO. Transmittal should include concurrence.

TICO must upload a copy of the ICPC transmittal letter and a copy of the report in IMPACT.

Agreement

The primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker notifies the following of the final recommendation:

  • The DFPS or SSCC supervisor and the DFPS program director or SSCC equivalent
  • The other state’s child protection agency
  • The other state’s interstate compact office
  • TICO
  • The caregiver
  • The child (if appropriate)

All parties must agree with the final recommendation before the court holds a final hearing. If any participant does not agree, the other state’s child protection agency must continue supervising the placement until a recommendation is developed that everyone agrees to.

The Final Court Order

When a court issues its final order, the primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker does all of the following:

  • Completes Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) in IMPACT.
  • Obtains a copy of the final court order.
  • Keeps one copy of each document (the report and court order) in the child’s case file.
  • Uploads a copy of each document into IMPACT.

TICO must do both of the following:

  • Close its file on the child.
  • Send Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) and the final court order to the receiving state’s interstate compact office for closure.

9216 Out-of-State Placement Discruptions

CPS September 2026

For policy about out-of-state placement disruptions, see 4515.4 Out-of-State Placement Disruptions.

9300 Placing Children from Another State in Texas

CPS September 2026

Under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), public agencies in other states can request a home study under ICPC with any of the following types of caregivers in Texas:

The Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) must authorize every ICPC placement with a Texas caregiver and institutions that oversee children in residential treatment centers.

TICO must review the ICPC request packet for completeness and compliance with applicable compact requirements, Texas laws, and DFPS policies.

Exception for Priority Requests

TICO must process all expedited priority requests for home screening immediately.

9310 Accepting a Request to Place a Child from Another State

9311 Missing Information

CPS September 2026

If the ICPC request packet is deficient in some respect, TICO must contact the other state’s compact office for additional information or for clarification.

TICO may:

  • Process the ICPC request packet. The assigned DFPS ICPC office or SSCC equivalent initiates the home screening despite the deficiency and either calls or writes the other state’s compact office for the needed information or clarification.
  • Hold onto the ICPC request packet for no more than five business days (no more than one business day in the case of an expedited priority request) after contacting the other state’s compact office and after the other state has acknowledged that it will send the missing information.
  • Return the ICPC request packet to the other state’s compact office.

9312 If the Other State's Child Protection Agency Skips TICO

CPS September 2026

Occasionally, another state’s child protection agency sends an ICPC request packet directly to the Texas DFPS or SSCC caseworker to conduct the home screening.

If that occurs, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker notifies TICO immediately and sends the ICPC request packet to TICO.

TICO must notify the other state’s interstate compact office of the request. TICO must process the ICPC request packet and advise the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent and the DFPS or SSCC caseworker of the next step.

If the ICPC request packet is complete and correct, TICO must assign the interstate placement request to the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent, who must assign the ICPC request packet to the local DFPS or SSCC office to complete the home screening.

If the other state provides the ICPC request packet by email, TICO sends an email to the other state’s compact office, acknowledging that the ICPC request packet has been received and that the request has been processed and forwarded to the regional DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent for assignment.

9313 Accepting Requests from Other States to Place with a Non-Custodial Parent Living in Texas

CPS September 2026

TICO must only accept incoming parent home study requests on parents that have been found to be unfit. To prove unfitness, the other state must provide either:

  • An order from a court in any state with jurisdiction over child custody matters that has made a finding that the parent is unfit.
  • An order from the court in the other state that has jurisdiction over the current matter that the ICPC be initiated on the parent.

9314 If a Home Screening Has Already Been Completed

CPS September 2026

If a home screening has already been completed, the other state’s child protection agency includes a copy of the screening in the ICPC request packet. TICO must upload the home screening into the case in IMPACT.

The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent must assign the case to a DFPS or SSCC caseworker to:

  • Visit the home.
  • Update the home screening.
  • Recommend a placement that addresses the child’s specific needs.

A home screening may already be completed if:

  • A child moves to Texas with his or her current caregiver.
  • A child is placed for adoption in Texas.

9315 Creating an ICPC Case in IMPACT

CPS September 2026

TICO must create a case for each child to be placed under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) request from another state. TICO must initiate the case as an intake and progress it to a substitute care (SUB C-IC) stage. TICO must use the information from the Placement Request (100A) to create the intake and must upload the documents that were included with the ICPC request packet.

9316 Notification and Supervision

CPS September 2026

Arranging the Placement

After TICO approves a request to place a child in Texas and the court in the other state orders the placement, the other state agency communicates directly with the caregiver.

Notification

After the child has been placed, the other state’s compact office notifies TICO by forwarding a copy of a completed Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B). TICO must update IMPACT with the information from the 100B. TICO is always assigned as the primary staff on the case.

  • TICO must assign the case to the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent as the secondary staff.
  • The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent must notify the designated DFPS or SSCC supervisor or director to assign a courtesy caseworker to supervise the placement.
  • The designated supervisor or director must assign the courtesy supervision caseworker within two days of receiving notification.
  • The DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent assigns the courtesy supervision caseworker as the secondary staff.

9320 If a Caregiver Moves to Texas

9321 All Caregivers

CPS September 2026

If an out-of-state caregiver moves to Texas and it is determined that it is in the child’s best interest for the child to move with the caregiver, the agency that placed the child with the caregiver must ask the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) to complete a home study and initiate courtesy supervision.

9322 Foster Families

CPS September 2026

If the caregiver is licensed as a foster family in the sending state and the ICPC request packet includes sufficient information, TICO must review the ICPC request packet after the family arrives in Texas.

The ICPC request packet must include the information specified in the ICPC Resource Guide.

In addition, the ICPC request packet must also include both of the following:

  • The results of the caregiver’s home screening and criminal background checks.
  • A copy from the sending state of the family’s license or verification to serve as a foster family.

In most cases, the sending state’s licensure remains in effect until the family is licensed or certified as a foster family in Texas.

If the family does not meet the Texas minimum standards for Residential Child Care Regulation, the sending agency must notify TICO of the alternate placement plan for the child.

9323 If a Caregiver Moves Before TICO Authorizes the Placement

CPS September 2026

If a caregiver and child move to Texas without prior Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) authorization, this is an illegal placement. TICO must notify the other state’s interstate compact office and request both of the following:

  • The other state’s child protective agency prepare and submit an interstate placement request as quickly as possible.
  • The other state provide TICO with a copy of the Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B), showing that the child is already placed in the caregiver’s home and showing the placement date.

TICO must not open an ICPC case until an official ICPC request is received from the other state’s interstate compact office.

TICO must only approve a placement if there is an approved home screening that recommends placement. If the home is an approved adoptive home or verified foster home, TICO must have the appropriate documentation.

If no ICPC request packet is received, TICO must request that the child be returned to the other state because the child is placed in a home that has not received TICO approval.

9324 Placements Made without a Request

CPS September 2026

Sometimes the court in the other state places the child without seeking TICO approval.

Whenever a DFPS or SSCC caseworker learns of such a placement, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker reports it to TICO immediately.

TICO must contact the other state’s compact office to determine whether the agency responsible for placing the child still retains legal jurisdiction.

If the agency does retain legal jurisdiction, TICO must ask the other agency for an interstate placement request. Once interstate placement request is received, TICO refers the case to the appropriate regional DFPS or SSCC office for completion and placement recommendation.

If the court in the other state has terminated its legal jurisdiction and given the child’s caregiver full legal custody, the placement is no longer subject to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

If a DFPS or SSCC caseworker who has been assigned to complete the home screening discovers that the other state’s jurisdiction has ended, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does all of the following:

  • Stops the home screening.
  • Notifies the ICPC regional coordinator of the legal status.
  • Sends TICO a memorandum explaining the situation, along with a copy of the court order terminating the other agency’s jurisdiction (if available).

TICO closes the SUB C-IC case.

9330 Proecessing a Home Screening for a Child Being Placed in TExas from Another State

CPS September 2026

Assignment and Notification

When a child from another state is being placed in Texas, the DFPS or SSCC supervisor assigns a DFPS or SSCC caseworker to complete a home screening.

Conducting the Home Screening

When the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) receives the ICPC request packet from the other state’s compact office, TICO must review it for completeness.

If the ICPC request packet is complete, TICO must create an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) case in IMPACT.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker conducts the home screening.

Federal law requires that the other state’s interstate compact office receive a completed Form 6588 Kinship Caregiver Home Assessment no later than 60 calendar days from the date TICO receives the request.

42 U.S.C. §671(a)(26)

Foster or Adoption Referrals

A completed Form 6588 Kinship Caregiver Home Assessment does not completely satisfy the requirements for placement as a foster, adoption, or dual license parent placement. The caregiver must still complete the training required by DFPS and the Residential Child Care Regulation division and the minimum standard rules for licensing.

If a completed Form 6588 recommends placement, the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent must forward the referral to a DFPS supervisor or SSCC contracted child placing agency, who assigns the case to a DFPS or SSCC caseworker to complete the process for verifying and approving the placement.

Approval

A DFPS supervisor or SSCC child placing agency supervisor reads, approves, and signs the home screening and provides a placement recommendation.

After the approval, the regional ICPC coordinator must upload the approved home screening into the ICPC case in IMPACT.

9340 Making the Decision to Accept an ICPC Placement

CPS September 2026

To be considered legal, every placement of a child in Texas that is subject to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) must be approved by the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO).

9341 Basis and Criteria for TICO Approval

CPS September 2026

TICO bases its approval on DFPS or SSCC contracted child placing agency recommendations regarding:

  • The results of the home screening.
  • The determination of whether to place the child.
  • The status of the Residential Child Care Regulation division’s licensure of the family as a foster, adoptive, or dual license family.
  • Any other pertinent information provided by the other state.

If more information is needed, TICO must request it from the party that can provide it.

TICO approves a placement if both of the following are true:

  • The caregiver appears able to provide the child with a suitable home and appropriate care.
  • The child remains in the legal jurisdiction of the other state.

9342 Sending Notification fo a TICO Decision

CPS September 2026

To notify the other state about whether TICO has approved the other state’s request to place the child in Texas, TICO must do all of the following:

  • Complete Section IV of the Placement Request (100A) in IMPACT.
  • Send one copy of the Placement Request (100A) and the home screening and license to the other state’s interstate compact office.
  • Complete the ICPC transmittal letter in IMPACT.
9342.1 If TICO Denies Placement

CPS September 2026

If TICO denies the ICPC request for placement, TICO must notify the other state. TICO must then close the ICPC case in IMPACT.

9342.2 If a Child Is Placed Despite TICO's Denial

CPS September 2026

If the other state’s child protection agency places the child with the caregiver despite TICO’s denial and DFPS or SSCC staff learns of such a placement, they must notify TICO.

TICO must notify the other state that DFPS or SSCC is not obligated to supervise the placement under the specific terms of the ICPC agreement and ask the sending state to return the child to that state.

9350 Placing a Child from Another State in a Licensed Residential Facility in Texas

CPS September 2026

If another state’s child protection agency requests permission to place a child in a residential care facility licensed by the Residential Child Care Regulation division (such as a residential treatment center), the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) does not refer the request to a caseworker.

TICO must review and approve the request directly, based on the facility’s licensure and its acceptance of the child. TICO must initiate a case in IMPACT and remain as the primary worker until the case in IMPACT is closed.

9351 Institutional Placements

CPS September 2026

The key criterion for determining whether an institutional placement is covered by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is the facility’s licensure by the Residential Child Care Regulation division (RCCR).

Hospitals, boarding schools, and mental health facilities are not licensed by RCCR and are explicitly excluded from the ICPC.

9352 Documentation

CPS September 2026

To request permission to place a child in an RCCR-licensed residential care facility, the other state’s child protection agency must provide TICO with all of the following:

  • Placement Request (100A).
  • Cover letter, which must include documentation of the financial and medical plan for the child.
  • Legal orders demonstrating that the other state has custody.
  • Written confirmation from the facility that it has an opening and has accepted the child to fill the opening.

9353 Approval

CPS September 2026

If TICO approves the placement request, the other state’s child protection agency does the following:

  • Places the child in the facility.
  • Completes a Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B).
  • Forwards copies to the other state’s compact office and TICO to notify them of the child’s placement.

If TICO denies the request, the other state’s child protection agency must find another placement.

9354 Supervision

CPS September 2026

The facility supervises the placement and sends quarterly supervisory reports to the sending state.

9355 Closing the Case

CPS September 2026

When the child leaves the facility, the other state’s child protection agency does both of the following:

  • Completes a Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B).
  • Forwards copies to the other state’s compact office and TICO to notify them of the child’s discharge.

Occasionally, the facility itself completes the 100B and sends copies to both compact offices.

TICO must close its case when the child is discharged or turns 18 years old.

9360 Children Placed in Texas

9361 When a Caregiver Moves During the Supervision of an ICPC Case

CPS September 2026

Caregiver Moves Within Texas

If a child and a caregiver in an interstate placement move to another county in Texas during the supervisory period of an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) case and the other state does not notify the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO), the DFPS or SSCC caseworker supervising the placement sends written notice of the move to the following:

  • TICO.
  • The new region’s DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent.

TICO must obtain a new Placement Request (100A) and Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) from the other state and enter the data into the ICPC case in IMPACT.

The DFPS or SSCC supervisor reassigns the ICPC case to a DFPS or SSCC caseworker in the new area.

TICO must print out and sign the Placement Request (100A) and send it to the other state, either as an approved or not approved placement.

Caregiver Moves Outside of Texas

If a child and a caregiver move to another state or return to the other state, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker sends TICO written notice of the move and closes the case in IMPACT.

9362 Interstate Placement Disruption

CPS September 2026

If an interstate placement in Texas fails and the child can no longer remain with the caregiver, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker supervising the placement notifies TICO immediately.

TICO must do all of the following:

  • Contact the other state’s interstate compact office to notify the other state that the child must be returned to the other state within five business days.
  • Send a closing report to the other state when the child returns to that state.
  • Close the case.

9363 Illegal Interstate Placement

CPS September 2026

If a DFPS or SSCC caseworker learns or suspects that a child has been placed across state lines without the approval of an interstate compact office, even if a judge has ordered it, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker immediately notifies TICO in writing about the placement.

Upon notification of the illegal placement, TICO must contact the other state’s interstate compact office to determine whether the placement is subject to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).

If the illegal placement is subject to the ICPC, the other state initiates an ICPC home study request.

If TICO does not receive an ICPC home study request, TICO staff must request that the child be returned to the other state.

9370 Closing and ICPC Case

CPS September 2026

Once a child is placed in Texas, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) requires that the other state retain jurisdiction until one of the following happens:

  • The child is adopted.
  • The child reaches the age of majority.
  • The child becomes self-supporting.
  • The receiving state agrees with discharging the child or dismissing the legal case.

Texas Family Code §162.102 Article V

This requirement is intended to ensure that the other state remains responsible for the child until the case is resolved. As long as the other state retains jurisdiction, if the placement is disrupted or the child requires additional services or funding, the other state’s child protection agency remains responsible for accepting custody of the child or making an alternative approved placement.

The supervisory period in most interstate placements is six months.

9371 Final Recommendation

CPS September 2026

If the DFPS or SSCC courtesy worker supervising an interstate placement in Texas and the other state’s child protection agency agree that the placement no longer needs to be supervised, the courtesy worker prepares a final supervisory report recommending a legal action that closes the child’s case and complete the interstate placement process.

The DFPS or SSCC courtesy worker uploads the final supervision report to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) case in IMPACT.

The Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) must print the report and send the report to the other state’s interstate compact office for review and agreement.

9372 Agreement

CPS September 2026

The other state’s child protection agency notifies TICO of the final recommendation.

All parties must agree with the final recommendation before the court holds a final hearing. If any participant does not agree, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker continues supervising the placement until a recommendation is developed that everyone agrees to.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker documents all efforts to obtain agreement of the final recommendation.

9373 The Final Court Order

CPS September 2026

When the court issues its final order in the child’s case, the other state’s child protection agency sends the following to the other state’s compact office:

  • Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B).
  • The final court order.

The other state’s compact office forwards these documents to TICO.

TICO must upload the documents into the ICPC case in IMPACT.

If the other state’s child protection agency sends the Form 2261 Compact Report ICPC (100B) and final order directly to the DFPS or SSCC unit supervising the placement, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker uploads the documentation into the ICPC case in IMPACT and notifies TICO by email.

Visits Outside Texas

If a prospective caregiver resides outside Texas and requests that a child in DFPS conservatorship visit that caregiver in the caregiver’s state, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker notifies TICO in writing.

Before approving the visit, TICO must do all of the following:

  • Verify that the request meets the criteria for an ICPC visit.
  • Verify that the child will return to the sending state at the end of the visit.
  • Notify the receiving state’s interstate compact office prior to the visit.

A visit is defined as a stay that lasts for fewer than 30 calendar days. See Regulation 9 of the AAICPC Regulations .

A stay that lasts longer than 30 calendar days may be considered a visit if it begins and ends during a child’s vacation from school.

Visits In Texas

Whenever a DFPS or SSCC caseworker learns that a child from another state is staying in Texas, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker notifies the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) immediately, in writing, if the stay is both of the following:

  • Longer than 30 calendar days.
  • Without ICPC approval.

If the placement is subject to the ICPC, TICO must request that the sending state initiate an ICPC request packet.

If TICO does not receive an ICPC request packet, TICO staff must request that the child be returned to the sending state.

9400 DFPS Role in Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Disaster Planning

CPS September 2026

During a disaster, DFPS is responsible for knowing the location and condition of all children in DFPS conservatorship. In addition, children placed in Texas who are under the conservatorship of another state must also be accounted for and in a safe placement.

Children in DFPS Conservatorship Who Are Placed Outside Texas

For children in DFPS conservatorship who are placed in another state, TICO maintains awareness of disaster or emergency events. Staff who report to the director of field create a list of children placed in the affected area and provide the list to TICO when an event occurs in another state. TICO immediately contacts the ICPC compact office in the receiving state by email, phone, or through the National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise (NEICE) system.

TICO meets internally to review the list of children and identify any new placements that have been made since the date the list was created. TICO does the following:

  • Provides a list of children placed in the affected area to the ICPC office in the receiving state.
  • Requests that the receiving state make contact with caregivers and report back to TICO.

If there are concerns about a child in DFPS conservatorship, TICO notifies the following people about the severity of the concern:

  • DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker.
  • DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker’s supervisor.
  • DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker’s chain of command.
  • DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent.

TICO follows up with the following, as necessary, until concerns are addressed and the safety of children has been ensured:

  • DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker.
  • DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker’s supervisor.
  • The receiving state’s ICPC office.

When a family with a child in DFPS conservatorship evacuates to another state permanently because of a natural disaster, the child’s DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker must do all the following:

  • Submit a Regulation 1 – Relocation of Family Unit home study request through IMPACT to the supervisor along with the Report on Child’s Placement Status (Form 100B) requesting supervision.
  • Distinguish a child’s case involving a natural disaster by checking the Natural Disaster check box on the Placement Request (100A) and manually entering the name of the disaster in the text field below the check box.
  • Submit a closure 100B through IMPACT, notifying the original receiving state that the family and child have moved.

Children in Another State’s Conservatorship Who Are Placed in Texas

If the TICO is notified that there has been a natural disaster in Texas, its staff run a Data Warehouse report to identify children in another state’s conservatorship currently placed in that disaster area. TICO does the following:

  • Provides the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent with the list of children.
  • Requests that the DFPS or SSCC caseworker make contact with the caregivers and child and report back to the Texas ICPC unit within 24 hours.

TICO notifies the sending state’s ICPC office about the child’s safety and well-being along with any concerns about the family and child. TICO follows up with the DFPS ICPC coordinator or SSCC equivalent, as necessary, until concerns are addressed and the child’s safety has been ensured.

When a family with a child in another state’s conservatorship evacuates to Texas permanently because of a natural disaster, the other state’s ICPC office must submit a Regulation 1 home study request along with the 100B requesting supervision.

9500 Private Interstate Placements

CPS September 2026

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) also covers private interstate placements made for adoption and specialized residential care.

While most private interstate placements do not involve DFPS or SSCC field staff, they do involve the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO).

In private adoptions, the birth and adoptive parents (or other parties, as applicable) work directly with the interstate compact offices of the sending and receiving states. The birth and adoptive parents function as the sending and receiving agencies, respectively. Private adoption agencies and attorneys who represent the birth or adoptive parents may also be sending and receiving agencies.

See the Private Interstate Adoptions Resource Guide.

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