A group of parents of special education children traveled to the Puerto Rico Department of Education’s central offices in Hato Rey to demand payment of money owed to Capable Kids, a private educational center in Quebradillas, warning that failure to pay could cause the cancellation of services. Payments approved since March reportedly remain undisbursed. Parents said the demand for these specialized services exceeds available supply and argued their children’s rights should not be blocked by administrative bureaucracy.
Zulián Rivera, mother of an 8-year-old boy with autism, described three years of struggling to find qualified staff in public schools before finding Capable Kids, where she said her son now receives the accommodations he needs. Néstor Rodríguez, father of a 6-year-old, said he faced similar frustration with public school offerings for autistic students. When specialists conduct psychometric evaluations, they determine needed services, and in many cases grant parents a "purchase of services" option to send children to private centers funded with public money.
Heisel Marie Rodríguez, mother of 8-year-old Nicolás, who has autism, said she has seen progress in all areas since he began attending Capable Kids and stressed the importance of continuing that work.