Finding Permanent Homes for Adoptable Children - Pepperdine ...

order to gauge the best interest of the child, and unambiguous principles are needed to qualify that
perspective. These specific principals will be determined by the AAICPC and stated in the ICPC
guidebooks. Beyond the best interest standardization, attention must be directed at clarifying the
definitions of “sending” and “receiving” agencies, specifically when and under what circumstances either
agency gains control and jurisdiction over the placement of the child. After a complete review of the
ICPC process and consideration of what level of standardization is acceptable to the states for approval,
the AAICPC will lobby in the states for implementation of the appropriate standards.
Look Toward Outside Assistance
The contracting out of ICPC specific services will now be held accountable to the uniform language
standard outline above. The current tracking system is in the most need of an efficient homogenous
replacement. “Twelve states (out of the 52) report tracking compact cases entirely by computer, while
another twelve report having no automation in their tracking system. The remaining states use a
combination of computer and manual tracking systems.” 37 A private company to manage and maintain
the system may achieve this goal at a lower cost than the current system. Using the power of
specialization and efficiency that the private sector provides will significantly assist the ICPC process.
The question of funding is an inevitable one, and one that cannot be underemphasized for the ICPC,
which lacks secure funding. First, the member dues that each state pays to be active with the ICPC are
actually a viable vehicle by which to begin paying for such a contract. Outside funding is also available,
as it has been successfully awarded to efforts such as the I-JAC 38 pilot studies, and private companies
interested in the area of adoption should certainly be considered. A grant writer will address these
proposals. The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
(AAICPC or the Association) coupled with the grant writer should be looked to manage this process and
forward the compact’s visibility and funding opportunities. There will be long-term economic savings
resulting from each privatization effort discussed here, and these will be directed towards a grant writer,
who will work to secure an even greater amount of outside funding.
In other words, funding does not necessarily have to come from adoption, recruitment, foster care, or
AAICPC membership funding; other funds are available and will be pursued. Privacy and confidentiality
issues will also be important issues to consider with funding, however, these too will be dealt with during
37 “The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children: State Structure and Process”, Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of the Inspector General, November 1998 – all data reported was for FY 1997 – this is the most recent data
available.
38 Funding for I-JAC currently comes from the DHHS, the Children’s Bureau, and a grant from Adoptions Opportunities –
www.ijac.org/funding.htm - accessed 3-03.
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