ICPC State Pages

New York ICPC Processing and Data Collection:

New York conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

ICPC Placement Checklists

* Electronic Transmission Accepted and/or Used as: S = Sending; R = Receiving; L = Locally;

Date of Receipt - Home Study

New York determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Other

New York 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, New York will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study:

• Yes

Criminal Records Checks

New York requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Other, specified below

In addition to the applicant to be certified or approved as a foster or adoptive parent, all other adult household members or persons over the age of 18, residing in the home of such applicant must be checked.

************NOTE: In accordance with NYS Social Services Laws 424-a CPS background & 378-a Criminal Histories will NOT be conducted as a part of an unlicensed relative ICPC request in NYS. Fingerprint checks for criminal histories & Child Abuse histories are ONLY permitted/authorized & conducted for foster care & adoption requests. *****************

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

New York requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study:

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 educational training):

• 90 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 60 days

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait times for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: Not Offered

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 4-7 days
• 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:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required:

• 1 year

New York offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Agencies must provide training for foster parents to help them meet the needs of children in their care, receive information on technique in managing behavior and preventing abuse and neglect, and understand the expectations of the agency.

  New foster parents need preparation and training to be effective in their role. Foster parents who have been accepted for a home study, or relatives who are in the process of a home study must be oriented to:

  • The social, family, and personal problems that lead to family breakdown and the need for the placement of children.
  • The problems and reactions of children upon separation, and the function and responsibility of the foster family in relation to the child, the parents, and the agency staff.
  • The agency policy and practice to have defined goals to achieve permanency for each child entering the foster care system.
  • The authority of the local social services districts, the Office of Children and Family Services, and the Family Court to supervise the agency’s practice.
  • The nature of the relationship of agency staff to foster parents and children, including definitions of the function and responsibility of the caseworkers assigned to the children and their families.
  • The payments to foster parents for care and expenses; the definition of foster family care; and certification or approval of the home.
  • The rights and responsibilities of a foster parent as defined by a letter of understanding that must be executed at the time of certification or approval.

  Foster parents who receive a higher level of board rate are required to actively participate in annual training.

  MAPP Training

  The MAPP approach to foster parenting encourages open communication and trust among foster families, adoptive families, birth families and casework staff.  The MAPP program examines 12 criteria or skills necessary for successful foster/adoptive parenting. Through role-playing, personal profiles, and other techniques, the homefinder and the applicant make mutual decisions about foster parenting.

  Objectives of the training for prospective foster and adoptive parents are:

  • Learning what to expect and what services are available.
  • Looking at one’s own strengths and needs.
  • Developing skills in giving love and attention to a troubled child.
  • Learning about stages of child development.
  • Helping children manage behavior.
  • Understanding the roles and responsibilities of teamwork.
  • Helping foster parents develop a good understanding of the child’s parents.

Wait Time for ICPC Decision

Data Collection

New York collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:

• Other: NEICE

New York collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via:

• Other: NEICE