Building brighter futures through foster care | Letters to the Editor
As April has passed and May comes to a close, it is important to bring to light the significance of these months. April is Child Abuse Prevention month while May is National Foster Care Month. Though the months pass, the efforts to combat child abuse and neglect is a reality that many social workers and foster parents are facing daily. Guam is navigating a silent crisis as efforts continue to combat child abuse and neglect occurring in our community.
There are approximately 700 children in foster care. To put that into perspective, 700 children can fill up an entire school. This number has risen significantly within the last 10 years due to many complex community issues such as mental health, substance use, and homelessness. Of that 700, each is a child that has experienced some form of trauma, fear, uncertainty, and grief – a child that may experience several shifts in their lives once they enter the child welfare system, including adjusting to homes, schools, daily routines, and changes within their familial dynamics. During these moments, CPS Social Worker and foster parents are there to be a critical source of safety, comfort, and healing.
Foster parents are not expected to be perfect. They are individuals and families who are willing to step up and say yes to a calling. They open their hearts and homes to children during some of the most difficult periods of their lives. Foster parents provide stability, guidance, emotional support, and care while biological families work toward reunification. A caring foster home can help a child regain trust, confidence, and hope for a future.
At the Foster Care Proclamation signing that occurred on May 6, 2026. It was shared that there are currently 94 licensed foster homes, 198 relative placement homes, and five group home facilities. These homes are more than just a number, they are people and service providers that step up with a willingness to serve with great patience and compassion. A great number of foster parents on Guam are military and as the summer approaches, we have many foster parents who need to relocate to their next duty stations, but there is hope that the next round of military coming in will answer the call for fostering.
Behind the 700 is a child hoping for stability, belonging, and someone who believes in them. The need for foster families in Guam continues to grow, and each person who steps forward helps strengthen our island’s future. Opening your home may seem like a small act, but to a child experiencing uncertainty this can mean everything. Let us remember that and continue to embody the values of our culture in the importance of connections, family, faith, and inafa’maolek by supporting one another and see that no child faces hardship alone. The question is not whether our community can make a difference, it is whether we are willing to answer the call. If you have ever considered fostering, let this be your sign.
In recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Foster Care Month, let us acknowledge the extraordinary CPS workers and foster parents who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment to protect children, support families, and foster hope deserve the deepest admiration and appreciation.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, contact the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Bureau of Social Services Administration (671) 475-2653 or Harvest House (671) 300-5433 for more information. Also, show up and show out at the DPHSS Division of Children’s Wellness Superhero 2K/5K occurring at Chamorro Village on May 31, 2026 in support of our island’s foster children.
Mokihana Kahele is a Masters of Social Work Student and member of the National Association of Social Workers, Guam Chapter.
