FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (August 14, 2019)— Senator Therese Terlaje thanks her colleagues in the 35th Guam Legislature for their unanimous support of Bill 159-35 during session today.

Bill 159 would increase emergency shelter capacity for children, specifically granting the Director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services the discretion to allow more than 12 children to be sheltered in the new 7,000-sq. ft. I Guma Mina’åse’ Sr. Mary Brigid Perez, R.S.M.

Extending beyond the current maximum capacity of 12 is critical because there are an estimated 35 children on the foster home waitlist along with 294 children living homeless. The new children’s shelter, measured at 7,000-square feet, is set to be completed in October this year. Senator Terlaje notes the bill does not lessen any federal mandates in regards to the treatment of children placed in these shelters nor does it lessen the child to caretaker ratios currently set by law.

Thank you to all my colleagues for rising in support of Bill 159. While this is not a solution to the problem of abuse and homelessness with our children, anything we can do to promptly get them out of harm’s way and into a safer living environment is a big step while we continue to work on more permanent solutions. In addition to the support of Bill 159, I ask our community to pull together to support our children and ensure they’re given permanent safety, stability, and consistent love in their homes.

Senator Therese Terlaje, Chairperson for the Committee on Health, Tourism, Historic Preservation, Land and Justice

Senator Terlaje acknowledges and appreciates the work of Sister Mary Brigid Perez, former First Lady Christine Calvo, Rigalu Foundation, and DPHSS for their hard work and vision along with our foster families for opening their hearts and homes for our children. She also thanks her women colleagues in the last Guam Legislature for their special attention to the rape of a homeless child in an abandoned structure and inviting the help of the shelters, the homeless coalition, CPS, GHURA, Guam Housing Corp., and GPD to leave no stone unturned in seeking ways to prevent the abuse of homeless children.

Several Senators expressed support on session floor including Senator Kelly Marsh (Taitano) who said she feels close to this issue adding from experience that emergency shelters “can make a difference in the life of a child.” Senator Amanda Shelton noted when we put foster children in a home or even a group home, “that’s moving in the right direction.” Vice Speaker Telena Nelson added, “this is a very grave situation on our island and I commend the sponsor of this bill for the innovative approach to helping address the needs of children.”

The property in Barrigada Heights originally was part of the Chamorro Land Trust but transferred to Government of Guam for the shelter.

Senator Terlaje added all 14 senators to be co-sponsors for the Bill 159, which was sent to the voting file. Session resumes Thursday, August 15 at 10:30am.