Head Start directors warn federal rule changes could disrupt services for 21,000 children in Puerto Rico

By THE STAR STAFF

The Association of Head Start Directors of Puerto Rico is raising alarms over a series of proposed federal regulatory changes that they say could undermine the quality and stability of services provided to more than 21,300 children and their families across the island.

Javier Negrón, president of the association, said the coalition supports efforts to streamline federal bureaucracy but cautioned that several proposed revisions go beyond administrative relief and risk weakening core program operations.

“Reducing bureaucracy cannot mean lowering the quality of services our children and families receive,” Negrón said. “We support changes that help programs work more efficiently and dedicate more resources to direct services. However, some proposals concern us because they could affect how our programs function and the services we provide.”

The concerns were outlined in a joint statement submitted by Puerto Rico’s associations of Head Start parents, directors, employees, and supporters in response to a federal notice aimed at reducing administrative burdens.

Among the most significant objections is a proposal that would require instruction exclusively in English. The organizations stressed that while they support teaching English as a second language, Puerto Rico must retain a bilingual model that reflects Spanish as the primary language of children, families, and program staff.

“What we seek is the ability to maintain a bilingual approach that recognizes Spanish as the main language of our children, families, and employees,” said Eddie Torres Vázquez, president of the Asociación de Amigos Head Start Puerto Rico.

The coalition also opposes a proposed reduction in the cap on administrative costs—from 15 percent to 5 percent—arguing that such a cut would jeopardize essential functions such as accounting, human resources, audits, planning, facility rentals, and service coordination. As an alternative, the groups recommended setting the cap at 10 percent, paired with transition periods and exemptions.

Other objections include eliminating bus monitors for school transportation, modifying staff qualification requirements, changing child‑to‑adult ratios, revising suspension and expulsion policies, and altering eligibility verification rules.

“Parents are recognized by law as the first educators of our children and key partners in Head Start governance,” said Zaidy Cordero, president of the Head Start Parents Association. “For that reason, we insist that regulatory decisions listen to the voices of the families served by the program.”

Head Start programs in Puerto Rico receive more than $320.5 million in federal funding annually, according to the coalition.

The organizations urged the Federal Office of Head Start to consider Puerto Rico’s unique linguistic, cultural, and operational conditions before finalizing any regulatory changes.