2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 22 - Act For The Development And Implementation Of The Public Policy On Early Childhood In Puerto Rico (§§ 391 — 398) › § 394 - Responsibilities of the Central and municipal government agencies

(a) Through this public policy, it is hereby declared that the agencies, entities and instrumentalities of the Government of Puerto Rico shall be responsible for procuring, supporting, keeping in custody, facilitating, coordinating and appropriating funds for the implementation of the public policy in all areas identified above. This includes but is not limited to:
(1) Promoting the production of written materials to develop mass information campaigns about early childhood issues.
(2) Disclosing the Public Policy on Early Childhood set forth in this chapter, as well as the programs and the initiatives established thereunder, to its personnel, affiliates and the community served, according to the means within its reach.
(3) Conducting studies on demand needs, availability and quality of early childhood services by area of services and facilitating the collaboration between agencies to achieve the implementation of the public policy set forth in this chapter.
(4) Developing a strategic plan for the implementation of all early childhood policies.
(5) Designing, developing and implementing initiatives and programs directed to the implementation of the public policy on early childhood.
(6) Identifying and providing the fiscal resources needed to implement the public policy on early childhood, according to the budget available.
(7) Revising the internal policies of each agency, so that regulations, circular letters and administrative orders generated thereby contemplate the principles, postulates and provisions set forth in this chapter.
(8) Designing, developing and implementing strategies for inter-agency and inter-sector coordination, to guarantee a coherent and efficient system of services that address the needs of children, and most particularly, of children in their early childhood and their families.
(9) Conducting all possible efforts to ensure continuity in the services for all children served.
(10) Monitoring the implementation of the public policy on early childhood set forth in this chapter and fostering the continuous evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and services established to address early childhood needs.
(b) Municipal governments play an essential role in providing and coordinating local services. They are able to coordinate services in an efficient, expeditious and organized manner with communities, as well as with community-based and faith-based organizations, and with other community components.
Through this public policy, it is hereby declared that municipal governments shall be co-responsible, without impairment of their authorities and powers pursuant to the Autonomous Municipalities Act, §§ 4001 et seq. of Title 21, for the implementation of this public policy regarding the following, not to be construed as a limitation:
(1) Identifying services in the community which facilitate the implementation of this public policy.
(2) Assisting in the assessment of the needs of children in their early childhood and their families, in coordination with the agencies of the Government of Puerto Rico and with the various nonprofit and for-profit community entities and programs, and with faith-based organizations, among others, that offer early childhood services.
(3) Developing programs, activities and initiatives for children in their early childhood, and most particularly, for children with special needs and their families within their communities, in the areas identified in this public policy and in accord with the principles and mandates set forth in this chapter, according to the fiscal resources available and within their reach.
(4) Participating in prevention, education and the rendering of quality services for early childhood citizens of their jurisdiction.
(5) Providing the infrastructure and establishing alliances with community and faith-based organizations and with other institutions in the municipality in order to facilitate the availability of safe and appropriate facilities and spaces, as well as the maintenance thereof, for the use, enjoyment and servicing of children in their early childhood.
(6) Assisting in the procurement and solicitation of fiscal resources from external sources for the implementation of this public policy.
(7) Maintaining close coordination and communication with the Central Government, community organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and the higher education institutions in their jurisdiction for the implementation of this public policy.
[Each municipality shall establish its work plan for the implementation of this public policy, in accordance with its capacity and resources.]
History —June 18, 2008, No. 93, § 5.