Finding Permanent Homes for Adoptable Children - Pepperdine ...

esources to pull funding from permanent sources, such as adoption or foster care, it provides agencies a
type of autonomy not provided by federalization. There is, however, no guarantee that the federal
funding offered by option one will actually reach the ICPC process.
Finally, the amendment process to change the compact is tedious. A unanimous decision in the AAICPC
is necessary to pass an amendment of the compact, and this must occur in 52 jurisdictions and
legislatures. During the 30 years of the compact’s existence, little changed, and this implies that the
process is not amenable to restructuring.
Conclusion of Restructuring Option:
The revisions will focus on increasing the homogeneity of the system while capitalizing on the aspects of
the ICPC process that currently do function well. If the amendments are successful, it will not result in an
additional level of complication, but rather clear up previous discrepancies. Under a federal system, more
funding will likely be spent on an inefficient system. The current funding structure will achieve success
when an incentive framework is introduced that harnesses the abilities of ICPC personnel. The revisions
are dedicated to increasing the communication and accessibility of information between caseworkers,
administrators, judges, lawyers, and even the possible adoptive familie s.
Restructuring the ICPC offers the opportunity to maintain the current level of federal bureaucracy and
even decrease it, while improving the process. Increasing federal control brings minimum results, while
the system already in place has the ability to make the necessary changes in order to create a better
environment for interstate adoptions. Upon reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of both options,
it is clear that the enhancement and revision of the ICPC is the most viable course of action. With a
vision for reforming the existing ICPC framework standing as the recommendation, the analysis will
focus on the specific reforms necessary to address the challenges facing the current framework, as well as
a detailed assessment of the manner by which to implement these reforms.
26