Cooperative Agreement 90CO1148

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded a $1.6 million Cooperative Agreement (90CO1148) to the American Public Human Services Association on September 30, 2026, under the Adoption Opportunities program (CFDA 93.652).

The award funds nationwide implementation of the National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise (NEICE), a secure data exchange system that modernizes the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) process. NEICE enables jurisdictions to evaluate interstate placements for children in foster care, adoption, and residential settings through electronic rather than paper-based workflows. The system currently operates in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This award will extend NEICE implementation across all ICPC jurisdictions with strengthened interoperability, security, and long-term sustainability. The system's expanded interoperability with other human services programs will ensure eligible individuals receive services, prevent service duplication, and reduce fraud and system abuse. NEICE supports timely and safe interstate placements for more than 30,000 children annually and increases administrative efficiency and accountability of the ICPC process.

Performance occurs in Virginia and runs through September 29, 2031. The Adoption Opportunities program eliminates geographic and other barriers to adoption and provides permanent family environments for children who would benefit from adoption from foster care, particularly those with special needs.