Visits Outside Texas

If a prospective caregiver, who resides outside Texas, requests that a child in DFPS conservatorship visit that caregiver in the caregiver’s state, the caseworker must notify TICO in writing.

Before approving the visit, TICO:

  •   verifies that the request meets the criteria for an ICPC visit;

  •   verifies that the child will return to the sending state at the end of the visit; and

  •   notifies the receiving state’s interstate compact office prior to the visit.

A visit is defined as a stay that lasts for fewer than 30 calendar days. See Regulation nine of the ICPC Regulations [sic, broken link]External Link.

A stay that lasts longer than 30 calendar days may be considered a visit if it begins and ends during a child’s vacation from school.

Visits In Texas

Whenever a caseworker learns that a child from another state is staying in Texas, the caseworker must notify the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO) immediately, in writing, if the stay is:

  •   longer than 30 calendar days; and

  •   without ICPC approval.

If the placement is subject to the ICPC, TICO requests that the sending state initiate an ICPC placement packet.

If TICO does not receive an ICPC placement packet, TICO staff request that the child be returned to the sending state.

See 5310 The Requirement for Staff to Elevate Certain Court Orders and its sub-items.