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Lee County approves Family Initiative job‑placement partnership and donates two retired minibuses
Summary
The board unanimously approved a partnership with Family Initiative to support job placement for adults on the autism spectrum (one‑time setup fee $18,000, annual renewal $350) and approved donating two retired LeeTran minibuses to nonprofit programs including Family Initiative.
Lee County commissioners voted on May 6 to work with Family Initiative on a job placement program to help adults on the autism spectrum prepare for county positions and to donate two retired LeeTran minibuses—one to LARK and one to Family Initiative.
Commissioner Tom Wilkam introduced the item and said the program would not create new county positions but would prequalify applicants and provide training and support. He described an $18,000 one‑time setup fee and a $350 annual renewal fee. "This would not create new county positions, but would prequalify applicants for potential employment and support the county's efforts to have a diverse workforce," Wilkam said.
David Brown of Family Initiative thanked the board and described the organization's work placing young adults on the autism spectrum into employment. "The talent is universal and opportunities are not," Brown said, noting Family Initiative has graduated participants ready for work and that some young adults already employed by Lee County are performing well.
The board also approved donating two retired LeeTran mini buses to local nonprofits instead of auctioning the vehicles. Commissioners said the vehicles will support nonprofit operations and workforce mobility for program participants. The board accepted the requests without recorded objection.
