Understanding the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is crucial when a child is adopted or placed across state lines. The ICPC is a statutory agreement that governs the placement of children in the United States throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It protects children by confirming that a prospective placement is safe and suitable before a child is moved out of state and by ensuring that the person or entity placing the child remains legally and financially responsible for the child after the placement.