There is a huge need in Guam for licensed foster homes for abused and neglected children.
The Home Evaluation and Placement Services Section says this year there are 232 foster children, but just 31 licensed foster care homes.
Social worker, Cindy Chugrad, says every year the need for licensed foster homes becomes greater.
She says the lack of such homes means children are instead placed in group homes or in relative placements.
"A lot of time, we place them with relative but it's not the most appropriate placement for them. It could be a lot of different reason but because there is no other place for this child we place them there. We also know that a relative might not be the best placement. The certified foster home, we do provide training, there's no training to the relative."
Cindy Chugrad says she believes the reason more children need foster homes each year is because there is much more reporting of abuse now.
