(AP) – The director of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services has ordered the formation of an internal task force to explore solutions to foster children sleeping in offices or hotels. The order last week came amid inquiries from Honolulu Civil Beat. According to the latest data from DHS, more than two dozen children have slept in offices or hotels in the past two years when families, guardians and the foster system were unable to meet their basic needs. The numbers represent the extreme of a system struggling to serve young people experiencing complex problems. DHS Social Services Division Administrator Daisy Hartsfield said the agency is working to find the best possible solutions.

Story originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.