Puerto Rico Family Department social workers in the Special Investigations Unit of the Carolina regional office were absent on Wednesday, November 11, after four of the unit’s ten social workers told WAPA’s NotiCentro they continue serving vulnerable populations without the resources they need. One social worker said there is a serious problem with the "petty cash" fund for minors when they take emergency custody of a child: there is no money to buy food, so the social worker has to pay out of pocket.
They have at times had to cover children’s medication, but the cost is sometimes too high for them to afford. Their complaints cited a shortage of staff and resources, deteriorating facilities and vehicles, no housekeeper or child care, and labor exploitation. Another employee said a father, a veteran with a mental health condition, came to the unit looking for her after a child was removed, and she had to go to court for a protection order because "my agency did not protect me."
Workers said this has been the worst administration under Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes, who one worker said has "contaminated the agency." They said their region covers six towns, they sometimes help in other towns, and cases pile up. In November 2025 they sent a letter to the regional supervisor of the Administration of Families and Children, and another in September 2026, with no formal response.
The Family Department said that of 11 workers, five were absent for medical reasons, one used compensatory time, and five were expected to arrive for their shift. It said it strengthened coordination between regions to keep services going.