Corazón Azul seeks permanent transfer of Toa Baja school to expand services for adults with autism
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Summary
Corazón Azul, a nonprofit serving adults with severe autism, asked the House education committee to convert its existing five‑year lease for the Ernesto Juan Fonfrías school in Toa Baja into a longer‑term transfer so it can invest in permanent facilities; SETBI said the current lease runs through Oct. 21, 2030 and invited submission of documentation for a longer contract.
TOA BAJA — Corazón Azul, a nonprofit created by parents and caregivers of adults with autism, told the House Education Committee on Feb. 4 that a permanent transfer of the former Ernesto Juan Fonfrías elementary school would allow it to invest in infrastructure and expand services for adults no longer covered by education programs after age 21.
Vanessa Villegas Berríos, cofounder and president of Corazón Azul, described a program that currently serves about a dozen adults and provides family support, workshops and respite services free of charge. She said the organization has occupied the closed school since 2019, maintains it at its own cost and holds tax‑exempt status and some legislative funds for operations. “No existe en Puerto Rico un plan estructurado para atender su transición a la vida adulta,” Villegas told the committee, characterizing the transfer as essential for continuity and stability.
SETBI confirmed it previously authorized a five‑year lease for the property on Aug. 27, 2025. That lease is in force and — according to SETBI testimony — remains valid through Oct. 21, 2030. Silvet Vélez Conde, SETBI’s executive director, said SETBI has parameters to evaluate requests for longer agreements, but emphasized that Corazón Azul must submit complete documentation so the committee can evaluate viability and statutory compliance.
House President Carlos Johnny Méndez, a co‑author of the resolution under discussion (RC 128), praised Corazón Azul’s work and asked operational questions during the hearing: whether the nonprofit pays utilities and staff, and how many participants currently attend. Corazón Azul answered that it pays for electricity and water and covers payroll for teachers and assistants through a mix of legislative funds, donations and fundraising; it currently operates Fridays and Saturdays and serves roughly 12 participants on a regular basis.
Corazón Azul also cited Law 163 (2024), which recognizes the right of people with autism to receive lifelong services, as policy context for its request. SETBI and the Department of Education told the committee they would evaluate whether a longer-term transfer or contractual arrangement is feasible under Law 26 (2017) and related regulations; SETBI reiterated that title and custodial status must be validated with titular agencies (for example, Department of Housing or Department of Transportation and Public Works) before any final transfer.
Next steps: the committee asked SETBI and the Department of Education to provide documentation on the current lease, operational costs, and any regulatory constraints; committee leaders signaled readiness to coordinate legislative support and encouraged Corazón Azul to submit a full application and evidence of sustainment funding and insurance for SETBI’s review.