ICPC State Pages
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About the ICPC
The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC) was established in 1974 and consists of members from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The AAICPC has authority under ICPC to "promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and provisions of this compact." The AAICPC obtains its Secretariat Services, as an affiliate of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA).
For more information, please visit the AAICPC website.
Contact the AAICPC
American Public Human Services Association
1133 Nineteenth Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 682-0100
fax: (202) 289-6555
Web Manager: Carla Fults [cfults@aphsa.org]
Click on a state to see it's page:
Mississippi
· Fax:
-
Adoption
- Age of Majority
- Appeals
- Border Agreements
- Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry
- Custody Matters
- NON ICPC - Consultants/Specialists
- Definitions
- Education - Public Education Costs
- Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments
- Foster Care
- Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)
- ICPC Processing
- Licensing/Certification/Approval
- Parental Placements
- Relative Placements
- Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities
- Supervision/Reports/Guidelines
- Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Compact Administrators
| Compact Administrator VACANT ICPC General Mailbox: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
Deputy Compact Administrator John Brown: ALL OUTGOING A-Z Parent, Foster & Public Adoption (ICPC requests include supervision reports, status updates, 100B forms) |
Consultants
| ICPC Specialist (A-H) Demetrus Lewis ICPC Specialist
|
Administrative Assistant (A-L) VACANT |
| ICPC Specialist (I-Q) Gwendolyn Norwood ICPC Specialist
|
Administrative Assistant (M-Z) no information provided |
| ICPC Specialist (R-Z) Crista Jennings ICPC Specialist
|
Mailing Address
| Regular Mailing Address Mississippi Department Child Protection Services |
Federal Express Address 750 N. State Street |
Useful Telephone Numbers
| Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-222-8000 (Nationwide) |
Juvenile Compact Office Maxine Baggett |
| Mental Health Compact Office No Mental Health Compact |
Useful Websites
General Iinformation
Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ
Adoption
Independent /Private
Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:
Mississippi permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions
| Adoption Type | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Private Agency | Yes |
| Private Attorney | Yes |
| Independent | Yes |
Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:
- MS Code Ann. 43-15-117
Public
Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements
• Single Persons
• Married couples who have been married at least two years
• Applicants who are at least 21 years of age
• Families and individuals whose income and insurance are sufficient to meet the additional needs of an adopted child
• Individuals who meet accepted emotional, intellectual and psychological standards to be good parents
INDEPENDENT / PRIVATE / PUBLIC
The following information applies to independent, private and public adoptions
Adoption Assistance
Adoption assistance payments begins
- At the time the child is placed
Sending State Adoption Subsidy Payments (Guidelines)
The child is certified for adoption assistance either IV-E or IV-B.
Special Needs
Mississippi definition of "Special Needs"
-
The child must be determined by the Agency to be a child with one or more
special needs as follows:
i. Physical disability
ii. Mental disability (I.Q. of 70 or less)
iii. Developmental disability
iv. Emotional disturbance
v. Age (must be Six (6) years old or older)
vi. Membership in a sibling group (or fictive sibling group) of two (2) or
more children being placed together – fictive sibling is defined as
unrelated children who have resided in the same home for at least 6
months and who have developed significant emotional ties to each other.
vii. Medical conditions
viii. Factors in the child’s or biological family’s medical history or background
place the child at risk to acquire a medical condition, a physical, mental, or
developmental disability or an emotional disorder. Current information is
required to document the above risk factors. Documentation of an
unknown medical history may also be a risk factor.
Finalization
Adoption may be finalized in another state:
- Yes
Before finalization can occur in Mississippi, child must be in adoptive placement:
- 6 months
Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition
MS Code Section 43-15-117
Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases
Majority are Chancery Court
Home Study (Adoptions)
Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:
Miss CODE ANN § 93-17-31 through 93-17-31
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- Yes
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- Private Adoptions: Yes
- Independent Adoptions: Yes
Age of Majority
State's age of majority
- 18 years
Statutory code/cite and the age of majority:
- SEC. 91-7-37 MS Code
Services (after Age of Majority)
As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:
- Supervision
Appeals
Appeals permitted:
- Home Study: Yes
- ICPC Decision: Yes
Border Agreements
Border Agreements permitted:
- Yes
Current Border Agreements with:
- Alabama
Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry
Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks
Mississippi requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Other, specified below
Private and Independent Adoptions
Criminal Background Screening
The following methods are used to capture fingerprints to conduct criminal records checks/and abuse and neglect.
- Live Scan or other computerized technology
Criminal background checks/screening via Live Scan or other computerized technology are offered at the following levels:
- National
- State
- Other, specified below
National- Yes
State - Yes
Local - No. Not done via Live Scan
Background Screening
State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:
Every person 14 years and older must be fingerprinted for background checks.
Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:
See MS Code SEC. 43-15-6
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Results
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 24 hours
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: Not Offered
- Local/County: Not Offered
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Signature verifying background check completed
Definitions
Mississippi Specific Definitions
Adoption
no information provided
Foster-Adopt
no information provided
Foster Care
no information provided
Parent
no information provided
Relative
no information provided
Relative Foster Care
no information provided
General Definitions
no information provided
.
Public Education Costs
Mississippi charges for public education:
- No
Mississippi charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)
- Yes
Mississippi charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:
- Yes
General Comments
no information provided
Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments
FINANCIAL PLANS
Mississippi permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in Mississippi as the Receiving State.
- Medicaid
- TANF Child Only
- TANF–Family
- Kin-Guardianship - State
As the Sending state, following are considered as a viable financial/medical plan when making interstate placements:
- Applying for TANF - (Family Income Based)
- Applying for TANF - Child Only
- Title IV-E Foster Care
- Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
- Sending State Adoption Assistance
- Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
- Kin-Guardianship - State
- Medicaid
- Sending State’s Coverage for Medical Assistance
As the Receiving state, following are considered a viable financial/medical plan when receiving interstate placements:
- Applying for TANF - (Family Income Based)
- Applying for TANF - Child Only
- Title IV-E Foster Care
- Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
- Sending State Adoption Assistance
- Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
- Kin-Guardianship - State
- Medicaid
- Sending State’s Coverage for Medical Assistance
MEDICAID / MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The state will ensure medical coverage benefits and services can be received through benefits, programs and providers in the Receiving State before placing a child across state lines.
- No
Medicaid
The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).
- Yes
WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS
Waiting period to apply for benefit assistance:
- 30 days
Waiting period to receive benefits for a child who is under the legal custody/legal jurisdiction of the sending state:
- 30 days
STATE MEDICAL INSURANCE/COVERAGE
As the Sending State, Mississippi will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible
- Other: State Medicaid may be appliable
As the Sending State, Mississippi will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.
- Yes
PAYMENTS MADE
TANF Payments
- The TANF program, administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), provides assistance for needy families with children up to age 18 years without regard to race, creed, color, gender, age, disability or national origin. Monthly TANF money payments are made for children and their needy caretaker relatives who do not have enough income or resources to meet their everyday needs by state program standards.
Adoption assistance payments begin:
- At the time the child is placed.
Foster Care Payments
no information provided.
Special Education Payments
- Other: no information provided
Daycare Payments
- Other
no information provided
Kinship Program
No information provided
TITLE IV-E
Medicaid - The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).
- Yes
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
- Yes:
Foster Care
RATES (Foster Care)
Foster care rate paid at:
- Sending State’s rate
Mississippi foster care rates:
| Service Level of Care | Amount per day |
|---|
REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)
Foster Care Resource Requirements:
o Must be age 21 at the time of application.
o Must be a resident of Mississippi
o Must have self-supporting income
o Must have approved references and background checks
o Must complete at least 15.5 hours pre-service training and 10 hours in-service training every year and 20 within two years to maintain a license
o Must have smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, telephone, and transportation
o Must have approved water/sanitation system
o Must have adequate space and beds to provide each foster child his or her own bed. (No more than 4 children already in the home
o May be single, married or divorced
Training (Education and Training)
- Mississippi Pre-Service training & PATH (Parents As Tender Healers)
Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)
Types of Home Studies
Mississippi conducts the following types of home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
Mississippi requires all relative placements to be licensed.
Mississippi only conducts Priority 7 Home Studies on parental placements.
Mississippi designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
- Yes
Mississippi considers a home study as current/valid for:
- 2 years
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, Mississippi will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
- Yes
As the Receiving State, Mississippi will permit a Sending state to pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study.
- Yes
As the Receiving State, Mississippi will accept/update a home study that was not originally conducted by the receiving state or a private contractor acting on behalf of the Receiving State.
- Will not Update or Accept
Adoptive Home Studies
Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- No
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- Private Adoptions: Yes
- Independent Adoptions: Yes
DCPS contracts for Purchase of Services with private agencies in other states:
- Yes
Foster Care Home Study
Home study for foster care conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- Yes
Parent Home Study
If child has been removed from the parent, Mississippi requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
No.
Non-Custodial Parents
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
This is a decision that has to be determined by the court concerning placement and requesting a home study for a child in custody to be placed with a non-custodial parent
Please see ICPC Regulation (Placements without ICPC Protection)
https://aphsa.org/OE/AAICPC/ICPC_Regulations.aspx
Proof of Paternity is required:
- No
Relative/Kinship Home Study
Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- Yes
Define Relative
no information provided
Relatives must be licensed:
- Yes
Proof of Paternity is required:
- No
Mississippi considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)
- 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
- 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
- 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
- 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
- Other
You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Mississippi performs priority placements:
Yes
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 60 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 30 days
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Private
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- Other: Private adoption: Background checks and Training are done by private adoption agencies completion times may vary depending on the adoption agency
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 30 days
Mississippi determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | |||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | |||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y |
Criminal Record Checks
Mississippi requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Other, specified below
Private and Independent Adoptions
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Results
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 24 hours
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: Not Offered
- Local/County: Not Offered
ICPC Processing And Data Collection
Mississippi conducts the following types of home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
Mississippi requires all relative placements to be licensed.
Mississippi only conducts Priority 7 Home Studies on parental placements.
ICPC Placement Checklists
| Adoption | Foster | Foster-Adopt | Parent | Relative | Residential | Electronic Transmission Accepted * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICPC 100A (Placement Request) | y | y | y | y | y | y | |
| ICPC – 100 B (if child is in the Receiving State) | y | y | y | y | y | y | |
| Home Study Report | y | y | y | y | y | ||
| Court Order | y | y | y | y | y | y | |
| Medical Documentation/History | y | y | y | y | y | ||
| Criminal History | y | y | y | y | |||
| Criminal Background Check/Verification | y | y | y | y | |||
| Education and Training Verification | y | y | y | y | y | ||
| Financial/ Medical Plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | ||
| Social History/ Case Plan | y | y | y | y | y | y | |
| Medical plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | y | |
| Title IV-E Status | y | y | y | y | y | ||
| Supervisory/ Progress Reports | y | y | y | y | y |
Date of Receipt - Home Study
Mississippi determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
Mississippi designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
- Yes
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, Mississippi will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
- Yes
Criminal Records Checks
Mississippi requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Other, specified below
Private and Independent Adoptions
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | |||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | |||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y |
Wait/Processing Times
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 60 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 30 days
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 24 hours
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: Not Offered
- Local/County: Not Offered
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 2 years
Mississippi offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Wait Time for ICPC Decision
| Foster Care | Relative | Relative - Foster Care | Parent | Foster - Adopt | Adoption (Public) |
Adoption (Private) |
Adoption (Independent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days |
Data Collection
Mississippi collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:
- State System (SACWS or Other Computer System/Database)
Mississippi collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via
- State System (SACWS or Other Computer System/Database)
Licensing/Certification/Approval
Licensing
Dual Licensing state:
- Yes
Mississippi uses the following terms to authorize a resource family for foster care and (or) adoption after completion of education and training in state:
- Approve (Adoption)
- Verified (Foster Home)
- Certified
Mississippi requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Adoption
- Foster/Adopt
Mississippi resource training program is as follows:
- PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)
Mississippi will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:
- Adoption
Full CreditIf all requirements of MS PATH Training are met, Full Credit is given. - Foster Care
Full CreditIf all requirements of MS PATH Training are met, Full Credit is given. Unless family is already licensed in the other state. Within 2 yrs, family will have to go through MS training.
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
- Yes:
Requirements (Licensing)
Licensing Requirements
• Completion of required agency forms.
• Medical information completed by a physician.
• You can be single or married. Couples must be legally married.
• Verification of marriages and divorces, if applicable.
• Currently reside in the state of Mississippi.
• Applicants must be at least 21 yrs of age
• Child Abuse Registry checks for all adults in the home.
• Police record clearance for all adults in the home.
• References for employment and character.
• Sanitation and water inspection, if not on approved system.
• Home visits and interviews with all household members 14 yrs of age and over
• Active telephone service in the home.
• Smoke alarm and no less than a 5 pound ABC-type fire extinguisher.
• Minimum income that proves applicant is self-supporting and could financially meet the needs of an additional family member.
• Transportation available at all times.
• Participate in at least 15.5 hours of pre-service training for a child.
• Child must have his/her own bed, and no adult or child of the other sex may sleep in the same room with him/her. No more than a total of 5 children in the home.
Foster Care Placements
no information provided
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 2 years
Mississippi offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Parent Studies
Mississippi conducts the following types of home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
Mississippi requires all relative placements to be licensed.
Mississippi only conducts Priority 7 Home Studies on parental placements.
Custodial Parent Evaluated Per Reunification
If child has been removed from the parent, Mississippi requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
No.
Non-Custodial Parents
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
This is a decision that has to be determined by the court concerning placement and requesting a home study for a child in custody to be placed with a non-custodial parent
Please see ICPC Regulation (Placements without ICPC Protection)
https://aphsa.org/OE/AAICPC/ICPC_Regulations.aspx
Proof of Paternity is required:
- No
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Mississippi performs priority placements:
Yes
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 60 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 30 days
Mississippi determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | |||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | |||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y |
Criminal Records Checks
Mississippi requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Other, specified below
Private and Independent Adoptions
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 24 hours
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: Not Offered
- Local/County: Not Offered
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 60 days
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Signature verifying background check completed
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 2 years
Mississippi offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Relative Placements
Relative Placements
Mississippi conducts the following types of home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
Mississippi requires all relative placements to be licensed.
Mississippi only conducts Priority 7 Home Studies on parental placements.
Relative Home Study
Define Relative
no information provided
Relatives must be licensed:
- Yes
Proof of Paternity is required:
- No
Mississippi considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)
- 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
- 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
- 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
- 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
- Other
You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Mississippi performs priority placements:
Yes
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 60 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 30 days
Mississippi determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | |||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | |||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y |
Criminal Records Checks
Mississippi requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Other, specified below
Private and Independent Adoptions
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 24 hours
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: Not Offered
- Local/County: Not Offered
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 60 days
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Mississippi requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative | |||||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y |
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Signature verifying background check completed
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 2 years
Mississippi offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities
Before Mississippi will approve a child for an interstate placement with an RTF, Certification/verification of acceptance is required from the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF).
- Yes
Residential Placements
no information provided
Supervisory Reports
Mississippi Requires face-to-face supervision:
- Twice a month
Mississippi will provide supervision of an interstate placement:
- Until the age of Majority as defined in the Sending State
Mississippi Submits a supervisory report to the Sending State
- Quarterly
Mississippi will send a supervision report to:
- The Sending Agency
- The ICPC in the Sending State
Supervision Guidelines
Please see Regulation 11 for supervision requirements under the ICPC (Link provided below):
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- No
Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- Yes
After TPR, relatives are no longer relatives and a foster care or adoptive home study must be requested.
- Yes
Relative Home Study
Define Relative
no information provided
Relatives must be licensed:
- Yes
Proof of Paternity is required:
- No
Mississippi considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)
- 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
- 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
- 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
- 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
- Other
You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status
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