Puerto Rico Senate Vice President Carmelo Ríos will travel to Washington to meet with Head Start directors from various states, seeking to address funding changes and prevent Puerto Rico from losing resources and about 10,000 jobs. The trip follows the Puerto Rico Senate's approval of a measure requiring English-language training for Head Start employees, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to change the language used in the program.
Zaida Cordero, president of the Head Start Parents Association, expressed concern over the transition to English, especially its impact on children with special needs and families who do not speak English, noting the program requires home visits and direct communication with parents. Senator González said the measure does not reject the shift to English but seeks an orderly transition, asking Puerto Rico's government to train staff in English while asking the U.S. government to implement the change gradually.
Cordero also said Trump's proposal would alter the child-to-adult staffing ratio and affect care for children with special needs.