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:
West Virginia
-
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 Jeff Pack, Commissioner |
Deputy Compact Administrator Nicole Chapman |
Consultants
| ICPC Specialist (A-H) Hillary Sowards |
Administrative Assistant (A-L) no information provided |
| ICPC Specialist (I-Q) Casey Perdue |
Administrative Assistant (M-Z) no information provided |
| ICPC Specialist (R-Z) no information provided |
Mailing Address
| Regular Mailing Address 350 Capitol St. Room B-18 |
Federal Express Address 350 Capitol St. Room B-18 |
Useful Telephone Numbers
| Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-352-6513 |
Juvenile Compact Office (304)-558-0145 |
| Mental Health Compact Office No information provided |
Useful Websites
General Iinformation
Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ
Adoption
Independent /Private
Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:
West Virginia permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions
| Adoption Type | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Private Agency | Yes |
Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:
48-22 https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-22/
Public
Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements
These are considered foster care placements when going through public children's services agency.
INDEPENDENT / PRIVATE / PUBLIC
The following information applies to independent, private and public adoptions
Adoption Assistance
Adoption assistance payments begins
- After the adoption is finalized
Sending State Adoption Subsidy Payments (Guidelines)
West Virginia follows the process outlined in it's state adoption policy. http://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/policy/Documents/Adoption%20.pdf
Special Needs
West Virginia definition of "Special Needs"
(a) Have established emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents or prospective legal guardians while in their care; or
(b) Are not likely to be adopted or become a ward of a legal guardian by reason of one or more of the following conditions:
(1) They have a physical or mental disability;
(2) They are emotionally disturbed;
(3) They are older children;
(4) They are a part of a sibling group;
(5) They are a member of a racial or ethnic minority; or
(6) They have any combination of these conditions
Code reference- §49-4-112.
Finalization
Adoption may be finalized in another state:
- Yes
Before finalization can occur in West Virginia, child must be in adoptive placement:
- 6 months
§48-22-501, §48-22-701
Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition
48-22-501 and 48-22-502
Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases
Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases: Circuit court in the county of residence of the adoptive parents or in the same county as the original abuse and neglect proceeding regarding the minor child. Code reference- §48-22-201
Home Study (Adoptions)
Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:
Adoption Home Studies are conducted under West Virignia Department of Health and Human Resources Home Finding Policy. https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/policy/Documents/Homefinding%20Policy.pdf
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- No
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:
- 49-2-2
Services (after Age of Majority)
As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:
- Supervision
- Respite
- Medicaid
Appeals
Appeals permitted:
- Home Study: No
- ICPC Decision: No
Border Agreements
Border Agreements permitted:
- No
Current Border Agreements with:
- None - Not Applicable
Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry
Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks
West Virginia requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative 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.
- Other, specified below
No information provided
Criminal background checks/screening via Live Scan or other computerized technology are offered at the following levels:
No information provided
Background Screening
State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:
no information provided
Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:
No information provided
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y | 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: 15-30 days
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 15-30 days
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Signature verifying background check completed
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
West Virginia 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 - Family building permanency option that provides a permanent home for a child until adulthood. Surrender or TPR must occur before finalization. Adopt parent becomes child's legal parent.
Foster-Adopt-Foster Adopt - Services provided by a person not related to the child who has been certified to provide in and out -of-home living situation.
Foster Care-In WV the definitions for Foster and Adoptive Care are combined into one. See next response.
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-Same
Foster-Adopt-Fully approved - means a decision by the local department that the provider has met all requirements to be approved as a resource, foster, adoptive or respite home provider.
Foster Care-means 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians and for whom the local board has placement and care responsibility. Placements may be made in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, pre-adoptive homes, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, and child care institutions. Foster care also includes children under the placement and care of the local board who have not been removed from their home.
Parent-means the birth or adopative parent of a child
Relative
General Definitions
Adoption
is the legal act of permanently placing a child with a parent or parents other than the birth parents. Adoption results in the severing of the parental responsibilities and rights of the biological parents and the placing of those responsibilities and rights onto the adoptive parents. After the finalization of an adoption, there is no legal difference between biological and adopted children.
The types of adoptions permitted by each state are governed by state law:
- Private Agency - are adoptions facilitated by a private licensed agency (i.e. domestic and international).
- Independent - are adoptions facilitated by an attorney, other intermediary, or adoption facilitator as defined by state law.
- Public - are adoptions facilitated by a public state or local agency and involve children who are in the custody of a state/local government agency.
Days
means “Calendar” (not business) days.
Foster - Adopt
is an individual who has been approved as a licensed foster parent and who has made an offer of an adoption commitment if the child becomes legally free.
Foster Care (Provider)
is any person other than a natural or adoptive parent with whom a child is in the care, custody, or guardianship of the State Child Welfare Agency and placed by said division, or with its approval for temporary or long-term care but shall not include any person with whom a child is placed for the purpose of adoption. Foster home means and includes private residences that are licensed, or specialized group homes.
Foster Care Maintenance Payments
means payments to cover the cost of (and the cost of providing) food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, a child's personal incidentals, liability insurance with respect to a child, and reasonable travel to the child's home for visitation. In the case of institutional care, such term shall include the reasonable costs of administration and operation of such institution as are necessarily required to provide the items described in the preceding sentence.
Legal Risk Adoptions
A legal risk adoption, or a legal risk placement, is one where a prospective adoptive child is placed in your home although the child is not yet legally free to be adopted.
License/certification/approval
means approval and or certification granted by the authority of a state regulatory agency.
Live Scan
is an electronic computerized technology which digitally scans fingerprints and provides immediate transmission of fingerprint records to the Department of Justice, FBI or other authorized receiving agency.
Parent
is a biological, adoptive parent or legal guardian as determined by applicable State law and is responsible for the care, custody and control of a child or upon whom there is legal duty for such care.
Relative
is a birth or adoptive brother, sister, stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, niece, nephew, as well as relatives of half blood or marriage and those denoted by the prefixes of grand and great including grand parent or great grandparent, or as defined in your state statute for the purpose of foster and or adoptive placements.
Relative-Foster Care
refers to a person who meets the definition of a relative as noted above and has been approved as a licensed foster parent.
Public Education Costs
West Virginia charges for public education:
- Other: at the discretion of the Board of Education
West Virginia charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)
- Other: at the discretion of the Board of Education
West Virginia charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:
- No
Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments
FINANCIAL PLANS
West Virginia permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in West Virginia as the Receiving State.
- Medicaid
As the Sending state, following are considered as a viable financial/medical plan when making interstate placements:
- Medicaid
As the Receiving state, following are considered a viable financial/medical plan when receiving interstate placements:
- 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.
- Other: No information provided
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:
- No waiting period
Waiting period to receive benefits for a child who is under the legal custody/legal jurisdiction of the sending state:
- Other: No information provided
STATE MEDICAL INSURANCE/COVERAGE
As the Sending State, West Virginia will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible
- Other:
As the Sending State, West Virginia will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.
- Other:
No information provided
PAYMENTS MADE
TANF Payments
Adoption assistance payments begin:
- At the time the child is placed.
Foster Care Payments
Special Education Payments
- No
Daycare Payments
- No
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: Most recent IV-E eligibility determination
Foster Care
RATES (Foster Care)
Foster care rate paid at:
West Virginia foster care rates:
| Service Level of Care | Amount per day |
|---|
REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)
Foster Care Resource Requirements:
Training (Education and Training)
- PRIDE Training is mandatory statewide. Training is conducted via a contract with the WV Schools of Social Work Educational Consortium. SWEC offers a minimum of 50 Rounds of Training throughout the state annually. Each Round consists of 10 mandatory sessions. Trng. is conducted on a regional/ county/local basis and is staggered throughout the state according to need/ demand. Participants help determine training schedule and may attend make-up session out of area if needed.E
Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)
Types of Home Studies
West Virginia conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
West Virginia designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
- Yes
West Virginia considers a home study as current/valid for:
- 3 years
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, West Virginia will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
- No
As the Receiving State, West Virginia 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, West Virginia 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:
- No
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, West Virginia requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
No
Non-Custodial Parents
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
Proof of Paternity is required:
- Yes :
Relative/Kinship Home Study
Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- No
Define Relative
Relatives must be licensed:
- Yes
Proof of Paternity is required:
- Yes :
West Virginia 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.)
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
West Virginia 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):
- 90 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):
- 120 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 90 days
West Virginia determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
No information provided
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 | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | y | y |
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y | y |
Criminal Record Checks
West Virginia requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y | 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: 15-30 days
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 15-30 days
ICPC Processing And Data Collection
West Virginia conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
ICPC Placement Checklists
| Adoption | Foster | Foster-Adopt | Parent | Relative | Residential | Electronic Transmission Accepted * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICPC 100A (Placement Request) | y | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L |
| ICPC – 100 B (if child is in the Receiving State) | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Home Study Report | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L | |
| Court Order | y | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L |
| Medical Documentation/History | y | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L |
| Criminal History | |||||||
| Criminal Background Check/Verification | |||||||
| Education and Training Verification | y | y | y | y | S, R, L | ||
| (License/ Certification/Approval) | y | y | y | y | S, R, L | ||
| Financial/ Medical Plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L |
| Social History/ Case Plan | y | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L |
| Title IV-E Status | y | y | y | y | y | y | S, R, L |
| Termination of Paternal Rights | y | y | S, R, L | ||||
| Consent to Adoption | y | y | S, R, L |
Date of Receipt - Home Study
West Virginia determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
No information provided
West Virginia 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, West Virginia will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
- No
Criminal Records Checks
West Virginia requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | 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 | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | y | y |
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | 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):
- 90 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: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 15-30 days
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 15-30 days
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- Other
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 6 mos.
West Virginia offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- Other
Wait Time for ICPC Decision
| Foster Care | Relative | Relative - Foster Care | Parent | Foster - Adopt | Adoption (Public) |
Adoption (Private) |
Adoption (Independent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3- 6 months | 3- 6 months | 3- 6 months | 3- 6 months | 3- 6 months | 3- 6 months | 1- 30 days | 3- 6 months |
Data Collection
West Virginia collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:
- ICPC Access Database
West Virginia collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via
- ICPC Access Database
Licensing/Certification/Approval
Licensing
Dual Licensing state:
- No
West Virginia 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
West Virginia requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Adoption
- Foster/Adopt
West Virginia resource training program is as follows:
- PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)
West Virginia will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:
- Adoption
Other - Foster Care
Other
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
- Yes: Most recent IV-E eligibility determination
Requirements (Licensing)
Licensing Requirements
Foster Care Placements
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- Other
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 6 mos.
West Virginia offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- Other
Parent Studies
West Virginia conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
Custodial Parent Evaluated Per Reunification
If child has been removed from the parent, West Virginia requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
No
Non-Custodial Parents
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
Proof of Paternity is required:
- Yes :
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
West Virginia 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):
- 90 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 60 days
West Virginia determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
No information provided
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 | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | y | y |
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y | y |
Criminal Records Checks
West Virginia requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y | 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: 15-30 days
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 15-30 days
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):
- 90 days
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y | 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:
- Other
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 6 mos.
West Virginia offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- Other
Relative Placements
West Virginia conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
Relative Home Study
Define Relative
Relatives must be licensed:
- Yes
Proof of Paternity is required:
- Yes :
West Virginia 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.)
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
West Virginia 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):
- 90 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- 60 days
West Virginia determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
No information provided
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 | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | y | y |
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y | y |
Criminal Records Checks
West Virginia requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y | 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: 15-30 days
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 15-30 days
- Local/County: 15-30 days
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):
- 90 days
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
West Virginia 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 | y | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y | |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y | |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y | |
| Parent | y | y | 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:
- Other
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 6 mos.
West Virginia offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- Other
Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities
Before West Virginia will approve a child for an interstate placement with an RTF, Certification/verification of acceptance is required from the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF).
- Other :
Residential Placements
Supervisory Reports
West Virginia Requires face-to-face supervision:
- Other :
West Virginia will provide supervision of an interstate placement:
- Other :
West Virginia Submits a supervisory report to the Sending State
- Other :
West Virginia 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):
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)
- No
After TPR, relatives are no longer relatives and a foster care or adoptive home study must be requested.
- No
Relative Home Study
Define Relative
Relatives must be licensed:
- Yes
Proof of Paternity is required:
- Yes :
West Virginia 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.)
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