Seven foster children previously listed on the state Department of Human Services Missing Children Web site were reported last week, thanks to public awareness and media outreach, DHS Director Lillian Koller said. She requested help from the public in finding foster children who are still missing.

The missing teenagers are believed to have voluntarily left their foster care homes, often without notifying their foster parents or social service workers. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of youth listed on the Web site (www.hawaii.gov/missing-children) are asked to call their local police departments.

DHS works with the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition to contact children who returned to their foster homes after running away and discuss issues that caused them to leave. DHS urges youth who are on the run or are thinking about leaving their foster homes to call the coalition at 255-8365.