Council praises disability internship pilot, asks staff for outreach report and potential reallocation of remaining funds

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa City Council members on Jan. 23 highlighted a city-run internship program for people with disabilities and approved two follow-up actions: a written report on outreach and placement activity, and a staff feasibility review of using any remaining program funds to support local training nonprofits.

Councilmember Luis Viera introduced the special-needs internship program and invited interns and partner organizations to speak. Raquel Pancho, who presented the program in the chamber, said the intern Tevis (TV) Bridal has worked in her office doing data entry, presentations and research since graduating from the McDonald Training Center’s Microsoft Office program in December 2023. Pancho said TV has been "a godsend to me here in the office" and has taken on substantial duties that had previously been difficult to staff.

TV, speaking to council, said she is "absolutely enjoying my time working with Raquel" and described using Microsoft Office skills to prepare presentations, Excel spreadsheets and email communications.

Sean Stevenson, who identified himself as representing TNI, said the intern Eric performed PC and phone deployments and other process-driven tasks so well that the contractor hired him after the internship concluded. "He did so well that we brought him on as a contractor," Stevenson said, describing upcoming assignments including a department-wide phone deployment and a text-archiving project.

Council actions - The council voted to request a written report to be returned March 6, 2025, that details how and where the disability internship positions are being advertised, the number of applicants, and interdepartmental outreach to identify placement opportunities. The motion was introduced by Council member Viera and carried by the council. - Council member Viera also moved that any remaining funds appropriated for the internship program for this fiscal year be considered for allocation to local nonprofits that provide similar training and placement services (he named McDonald Training Center and CUP as examples). Staff were asked to provide a written feasibility report on this option by July 17, 2025; Viera disclosed his brother is a client of McDonald Training Center.

Why it matters Advocates and council members said the program provides meaningful paid work experience that can lead to ongoing employment and partnerships with private employers. The council requested more information so staff and members can assess where outreach can be broadened across departments and whether available funds could scale the pilot.

Community and employer reaction Speakers included the interns themselves, program staff from the McDonald Training Center, representatives of hiring partners and family members who testified in support. Public commenters and several council members praised the program’s outcomes and urged its expansion across city departments.

Next steps Staff will prepare the March 6 written report on outreach and placements. The July 17 written feasibility report will identify the amount of unused funding and options for directing remaining funds to local training providers, if appropriate.