Section 270. Interstate placements

A. The licensee shall comply with the provisions of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (Chapters 10 (§ 63.2-1000 et seq.) and 11 (§ 63.2-1100 et seq.) of Title 63.2 of the Code of Virginia) for all children who will cross state lines, either out of Virginia to another state or from another state into Virginia, for placement in resource, foster care, adoptive, treatment foster care, and independent living arrangements.

B. Before a Virginia resident child is placed outside Virginia, the licensee shall obtain prior approval of the administrator of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Virginia Department of Social Services. Written approval shall be maintained in the child's file.

C. Before a child who is not a Virginia resident is placed in Virginia, the licensee receiving the child shall obtain prior approval of the administrator of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Virginia Department of Social Services. Written approval shall be maintained in the child's file.

D. Prior to the licensee supervising the placement of an out-of-state child, the licensee shall obtain from the placing agency documentation that the administrator of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Virginia Department of Social Services approved the placement of the child. The documentation shall be maintained in the child's file.

E. A licensee who conducts an adoptive home study before any particular child is identified for placement shall:

1. Inform the potential adoptive parents that prior to any out-of-state child being placed in Virginia, the provisions of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (Chapters 10 (§ 63.2-1000 et seq.) and 11 (§ 63.2-1100 et seq.) of Title 63.2 of the Code of Virginia) shall be followed; and

2. Document in the home study that the potential parents were so informed of the requirements of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (Chapters 10 (§ 63.2-1000 et seq.) and 11 (§ 63.2-1100 et seq.) of Title 63.2 of the Code of Virginia).

F. The licensee shall maintain in the child's file documentation that copies of all serious incident reports regarding any child placed through interstate compact were sent to the administrator of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

G. When the licensee is working with another child-placing agency in placing a child, the licensee shall enter into a written interagency agreement with the other child-placing agency that identifies the period of supervision to be provided to the child and delineates the responsibilities of both agencies until the adoption is finalized or the placement is terminated. A copy of the agreement shall be maintained in the child's file.

H. The licensee that provides supervision for the placement of a child in the custody of an out-of-state agency shall conduct visits in accordance with Virginia law and as specified in the written interagency agreement. All supervision activities shall be documented in the child's file.

I. The licensee shall send a copy of each report of supervision to the office of the administrator of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and to the agency that sent the child.

J. The licensee shall complete home studies in accordance with home study requirements specified in this regulation.

K. The licensee shall complete updated home study information in accordance with requirements of Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (§ 63.2-1000 of the Code of Virginia) when the licensee accepts a case of a child who has moved into Virginia from another state or United States territory.

L. The licensee shall provide a copy of the updated home study information to the office of the administrator of the Virginia Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children office.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 28, Issue 10, eff. May 1, 2012; Errata 28:1 VA.R. 45 September, 12, 2011; Errata 28:12 VA.R. February 13, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.