What is the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance?

The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, or ICAMA, is an agreement between all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist families with the interstate placement of children for adoption. The agreement ensures that families will receive the same services regardless of where they are located, allowing the adoption process to move forward more quickly and smoothly. The agreement covers areas such as financial assistance for medical care, adoptive family training and support, post-placement services, and legal assistance. ICAMA also protects the rights of birth parents, adoptive families, and adopted children. For example, when a child is adopted from another state, ICAMA ensures that both birth parents and adoptive parents have the same rights to request or contest the adoption. In New York, ICAMA is enforced by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The office works to ensure that adoptive families are given access to the resources and support they need to complete the adoption process in a timely manner and that adopted children are provided with the medical assistance they need. By enforcing ICAMA, New York is helping to make sure that all adoptions are completed safely and in accordance with state and federal law.

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What is the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance?

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