ICPC State Pages

Compact Administrators

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Mailing Address

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General Iinformation

Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ

Adoption

Independent /Private

Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:

South Carolina permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions

Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:

• Private Agency Adoption: SECTION 63-9-30

• Private Attorney Adoption: SECTION 63-9-30

• Independent Adoption: No information provided

Public

Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements

Approved homestudy - Background Investigation Report

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)

No information provided

Special Needs

South Carolina definition of "Special Needs"

SC Code Section 63-9-30, (10) Special needs child means children who fall into one or more of the following categories:  (a) children who are members of a sibling group; (b) children of marginalized ethnic background, except for purposes of Section 63-9-60(B); (c) children aged six or older; or (d) children with physical, mental or emotional disabilities 

Finalization

Adoption may be finalized in another state:

• Yes

Before finalization can occur in South Carolina, child must be in adoptive placement:

• 3 months

Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition

Section 63-9-710

Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases

The family court has exclusive jurisdiction over all proceedings held pursuant to this article.  Proceedings for adoption by residents of this State may be brought in the family court of the county in which the petitioner resides or is in military service, or in the county in which the child resides or is born.  For nonresidents of this State proceedings for adoption must be brought in the county in which the child resides, in which the child is born, or in which the agency having custody of the child is located.

Home Study (Adoptions)

Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:

Section 63-9-520

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: No

Age of Majority

State's age of majority

• 18 years

Statutory code/cite and the age of majority:

• SC Children's Code SECTION 63-9-30. Definitions

Services (after Age of Majority)

As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:

• Supervision
• Medicaid

Appeals

Appeals permitted:

• Home Study: Yes
• ICPC Decision: Yes

Border Agreements

Border Agreements permitted:

• Yes

Current Border Agreements with:

• Georgia

Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry

Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks

South Carolina requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

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

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
• Local

Background Screening

State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Checks, fingerprints, Sex Offender Registry,

Child Abuse/Neglect Registry

Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:

(A) No child may be placed in foster care with a person:

(1) with a substantiated history of child abuse or neglect;  or

(2) who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to or who has been convicted of:

(a) an “Offense Against the Person” as provided for in Chapter 3, Title 16;

(b) an “Offense Against Morality or Decency” as provided for in Chapter 15, Title 16;

(c) contributing to the delinquency of a minor as provided for in Section 16 17 490;

(d) the common law offense of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature when the victim was a person seventeen years of age or younger;

(e) criminal domestic violence, as defined in Section 16 25 20;

(f) criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, as defined in Section 16 25 65;

(g) a felony drug related offense under the laws of this State.

(B) A person who has been convicted of a criminal offense similar in nature to a crime enumerated in subsection (A) when the crime was committed in another jurisdiction or under federal law is subject to the restrictions set out in this section.

(C) This section does not prevent foster care placement when a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere for one of the crimes enumerated in subsection (A) has been pardoned.  However, notwithstanding the entry of a pardon, the department or other entity making placement or licensing decisions may consider all information available, including the person’s pardoned convictions or pleas and the circumstances surrounding them, to determine whether the applicant is unfit or otherwise unsuited to provide foster care services.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

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

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 8-14 days
• Local/County: 8-14 days

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: Not Offered

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background

Custody Matters - NON ICPC

(NOTE: These are private or domestic custody matters brought before the court for determination/decision)

Non-ICPC Requests - (i.e. private/domestic custody cases)

ICPC Office will not investigate a domestic or private custody matter.

• Parent vs. Parent: No
• Third Parties: No

ICPC Offices will assist with referral:

• No

Custody Investigation

Definitions

South Carolina Specific Definitions

If the following terms are defined differently than below (General Definitions), please provide definitions for the following types of placements as defined within your state. If definitions in your state are the same, please type the word same in the space provided. (only 250 characters per answer will be accepted).

Adoption-Adoption means the judicial act of creating the relationship of parent and child where it did not exist previously.

Foster-Adopt-A child placement in which birth parents' rights have not yet been severed by the court or in which birth parents are appealing the court's decision but foster parents agree to adopt the child if/when parental rights are terminated

Foster Care-Foster Care is a temporary substitute care service offered to children who must be separated from their own parents/family for a specific purpose and for a planned period of time.  It may take the form of relative placement, foster family care, residential group care, therapeutic foster care, residential treatment, or independent living depending on the needs of the child.

Parent-

Public Education Costs

South Carolina charges for public education:

• Other: school fees required

South Carolina charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)

• Yes

South Carolina charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:

• Yes

Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments

FINANCIAL PLANS

South Carolina permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in South Carolina as the Receiving State.

• Medicaid
• TANF Child Only
• TANF–Family

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
• 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.

• Yes

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:

• Other:

  Application submitted immediately upon receipt of court order placing the child in Foster Care.

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, South Carolina will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible

• Yes: SC Medicaid Card

As the Sending State, South Carolina will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.

• Yes

PAYMENTS MADE

TANF Payments

• May be made for children placed with South Carolina relatives, who meet TANF eligibility requirements. South Carolina does not make TANF payments for South Carolina children placed with out-of-state residents.

Adoption assistance payments begin:

• At the time the child is placed.

Foster Care Payments

• SCDSS can pay for out-of-state placements based upon SC Rates if there is a financial need and if the home is licensed or certified in that state.  Each case is determined on an individual basis.

Special Education Payments

• Other: At the option of local school districts

Daycare Payments

• No
• Other

Placement resource is responsible

Kinship Program

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: Eligibility document from ICPC Financial Medical Form and Cover Memo

Foster Care

RATES (Foster Care)

Foster care rate paid at:

• Sending State’s rate

South Carolina foster care rates:

Service Level of Care	Amount per day
Basic	0-5 years $22.33 per day/$670 per month; 6-12 years$26.10 per day $783 per month; 13-21 years $25.57/Day $827 per month
Moderate	No information provided
Specialized	$545 - $2,000
Intense	Provider Designates Rates

REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)

Foster Care Resource Requirements:

 21 years old, background checks, fire & health inspection, medicals, references, financially stable, positive home study

Training (Education and Training)

• 14 hours pre-licensing; 28 hours every 2 years

Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)

Types of Home Studies

South Carolina conducts the following types of home studies:

• Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

South Carolina designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.

• Yes

South Carolina considers a home study as current/valid for:

• 6 mos.

Private Contract Services - Home Study

As the Sending State, South Carolina will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study

• Other: Yes - For adoption and/or therapeutic care

As the Receiving State, South Carolina will permit a Sending state to pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study.

• Other: Yes - if supervision after placement is included

As the Receiving State, South Carolina 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 Update and 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: No

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, South Carolina requires a home study evaluation before reunification.

• Parents are not required to be licensed but evaluated.

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:

the court does not seek information about parent

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Birth certificate or court order if placement is to be with father or paternal relative

Relative/Kinship Home Study

Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

Define Relative

Relative is parent, step-parent; grandparent; adult brother/sister, adult/uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, and first cousin.  The degree of kinship is always in reference to the child, not the parent.

Relatives must be licensed:

• Yes

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Birth certificate or court order if placement is to be with father or paternal relative

South Carolina 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)

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

South Carolina 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):

• 60 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):

• 60 days

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

• 60 days

South Carolina determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
• Other

Date transmitted via NEICE

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	y		y
Send home study request to Local office				y
Send home study report to Sending State	y			y

Criminal Record Checks

South Carolina requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

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

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

South Carolina 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	y

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 8-14 days
• Local/County: 8-14 days

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: Not Offered

ICPC Processing And Data Collection

South Carolina conducts the following types of home studies:

• Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

ICPC Placement Checklists

	Adoption	Foster	Foster-Adopt	Parent	Relative	Residential	Electronic Transmission Accepted *
ICPC 100A (Placement Request)							S; R
ICPC – 100 B (if child is in the Receiving State)							S; R
Home Study Report							S; R
Court Order							S; R
Medical Documentation/History							S; R
Criminal History							S; R
Criminal Background Check/Verification							S; R
Education and Training Verification							S; R
Financial/ Medical Plan to support placement							S; R
Social History/ Case Plan							S; R
Medical plan to support placement							S; R
Title IV-E Status							S; R
Supervisory/ Progress Reports							S; R

Date of Receipt - Home Study

South Carolina determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
• Other

Date transmitted via NEICE

South Carolina 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, South Carolina will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study

• Other: Yes - For adoption and/or therapeutic care

Criminal Records Checks

South Carolina requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

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

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

South Carolina 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	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	y		y
Send home study request to Local office				y
Send home study report to Sending State	y			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):

• 60 days

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 8-14 days
• Local/County: 8-14 days

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:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 years

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

• OtherClasses are offered weekly throughout the state

Wait Time for ICPC Decision

Foster Care	Relative	Relative - Foster Care	Parent	Foster - Adopt	Adoption (Public)	Adoption (Private)	Adoption (Independent)
3- 6 months	2-3months	3- 6 months	2-3months	3- 6 months	3- 6 months	1- 30 days	1- 30 days

Data Collection

South Carolina collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:

• State does not collect/track interstate data

South Carolina collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via

• Other: Duplicate Question

Licensing/Certification/Approval

Licensing

Dual Licensing state:

• No

South Carolina 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

South Carolina requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:

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

South Carolina resource training program is as follows:

• PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)

South Carolina will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:

• Adoption
  OtherWill consider partial credit for training completed within last 12 months
• Foster Care
  No Credit

Title IV-E documentation/verification required

• Yes: Eligibility document from ICPC Financial Medical Form and Cover Memo

Requirements (Licensing)

Licensing Requirements

• Home and family assessments, background checks, training

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:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 years

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

• OtherClasses are offered weekly throughout the state

Parent Studies

South Carolina conducts the following types of home studies:

• Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

Custodial Parent Evaluated Per Reunification

If child has been removed from the parent, South Carolina requires a home study evaluation before reunification.

• Parents are not required to be licensed but evaluated.

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:

the court does not seek information about parent

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Birth certificate or court order if placement is to be with father or paternal relative

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

South Carolina 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):

• 60 days

South Carolina determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
• Other

Date transmitted via NEICE

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	y		y
Send home study request to Local office				y
Send home study report to Sending State	y			y

Criminal Records Checks

South Carolina requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

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

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

South Carolina 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	y

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 8-14 days
• Local/County: 8-14 days

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)

South Carolina 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	y

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background

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.

• 2 years

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

• OtherClasses are offered weekly throughout the state

Relative Placements

South Carolina conducts the following types of home studies:

• Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

Relative Home Study

Define Relative

Relative is parent, step-parent; grandparent; adult brother/sister, adult/uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, and first cousin.  The degree of kinship is always in reference to the child, not the parent.

Relatives must be licensed:

• Yes

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Birth certificate or court order if placement is to be with father or paternal relative

South Carolina 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)

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

South Carolina 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):

• 60 days

South Carolina determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.
• Other

Date transmitted via NEICE

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	y		y
Send home study request to Local office				y
Send home study report to Sending State	y			y

Criminal Records Checks

South Carolina requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

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

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

South Carolina 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	y

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 8-14 days
• Local/County: 8-14 days

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)

South Carolina 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	y

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background

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.

• 2 years

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

• OtherClasses are offered weekly throughout the state

Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities

Before South Carolina 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

Supervisory Reports

South Carolina Requires face-to-face supervision:

• Once a month

South Carolina will provide supervision of an interstate placement:

• Until the age of Majority as defined in the Receiving State

South Carolina Submits a supervisory report to the Sending State

• Quarterly

South Carolina will send a supervision report to:

• The ICPC in the Sending State

Supervision Guidelines

Please see Regulation 11 for supervision requirements under the ICPC (Link provided below):

• Best Practice Guidelines for Supervision via the ICPC

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

Relative is parent, step-parent; grandparent; adult brother/sister, adult/uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, and first cousin.  The degree of kinship is always in reference to the child, not the parent.

Relatives must be licensed:

• Yes

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Birth certificate or court order if placement is to be with father or paternal relative

South Carolina 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)