Delayed placement: An analysis of the interstate compact for the placement of children in West Virginia

The Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) is designed to facilitate interjurisdictional placement of children into foster care or adoptive homes. Despite the intentions of its design, the ICPC has long been criticized as a barrier to the timely placement of children into waiting homes. This paper fills a gap in the literature by empirically examining reasons for delay in the ICPC process that were identified in a statewide assessment in West Virginia. The analysis finds that delays are both common and structural in nature, suggesting that they are largely beyond the control of the child welfare agency tasked with completing the home studies. Implications for policy are identified and discussed.