In some situations, a Texas caseworker may place a child in DFPS custody for adoption with a family that lives outside of Texas.

Documentation

To request permission to place a child for adoption in another state, the caseworker must prepare the IMPACT documentation specified in 4511 Documenting a Request to Place a Child Outside of Texas.

The caseworker must include additional information in the cover letter and ICPC Placement Request Packet.

Cover Letter

The cover letter must:

  •   specify whether DFPS will support the adoption financially, as identified in:

  •   1700 Adoption Assistance Program, and

  •   1730 Medicaid Coverage, the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, and Adoption Assistance;

  •   identify any other sources of financial assistance, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI); and

  •   indicate whether the adoption will be consummated in Texas or the other state.

Family Verified by Private CPA

If the prospective adoptive family is approved through a private child-placing agency (CPA) in the other state, the cover letter must also include a written statement confirming that DFPS has a current contract in place with the out-of-state CPA. The child’s Texas caseworker must obtain confirmation of the contract.

See 8263 Out-of-State Adoption Placements.

ICPC Placement Request Packet

The caseworker must upload all of the following into the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) placement request packet:

  •   the court order terminating parental rights and appointing DFPS as the child’s permanent managing conservator;

  •   the results of the adoptive home screening, if it has been completed (actual FBI results will not be released to other states); and

  •   the child’s Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) report.

For information on the HSEGH report, see:

6921 Completing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report

For additional information about placing children for adoption in other states, see:

6935 Adoptive Homes in Other States

6946 Making Placements in Other States