More than 2,000 children in the system, foster parents needed

“Our children are in a crisis,” said Speaker Therese Terlaje on social media ahead of a public meeting today to discuss the current situation with the foster care system.  

“This demands our attention and our compassion. There are currently 667 children under CPS custody and 2,211 children have been referred to CPS. This means that 2,211 children may have been neglected or abused and will potentially enter into the system,” said Terlaje.

The harsh reality forces some in the community to take action and become foster parents.

That's when KUAM met Joe and Lynn Diego, a firefighter and devoted member of the island’s education system.

To many, they are heroes, safeguarding and shaping countless lives but to one child in foster care, they are so much more. They are mom and dad.

Joe Diego said, “We’re blessed, and he has brought that blessing. We were so used to being okay, we took care of everything, our boys are grown big, and we did our job.” 

But their call to parenthood was far from over. The couple opened their hearts and home to the young boy almost two years ago. 

This was his 8th foster placement, which, for the child, came with its fair share of uneasiness. 

“Sometimes you hear stuff when he’s sleeping. That’s how you know about the trauma,” said Joe. 

It's a startling reality for the more than two thousand children on the island referred to Child Protective Services, who may have been abused or neglected. 

Meantime, Patricia Mafnas, Acting Human Service Program Administrator for the Bureau of Social Services Administration, gave a glimpse into how many children are eligible for placement in a single shelter. 

She said, “At I Guma Mina’ase, we currently have 34 children. There are 15 males and 19 females. The age group for males who are open to foster care is one, and the oldest is 16. Of the females, there are 19– 3 is the youngest and the oldest is 17.” 

Officials from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Children’s Wellness, Bossa, testified at the legislature during an informational briefing on becoming a licensed foster parent.

It's a cycle the Diego's are hoping to end, with plans to adopt their son this year and hopes to foster another child. 

Lynn Diego said, “Hopefully parents come out, help foster, help love these kids. We can all help as a community and island.” 

A push for help so that every child has a safe place to call home. 

The foster parent application and details from today's legislative brief can be found below.