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Charlottesville reports 98% internship completion rate for summer KAYEP; staff seek $150,000 to expand
Summary
City staff told council the Community Attention Youth Internship Program placed 150 youth at 93 host sites this summer, reported a 98% completion rate and delivered certificates and 11 job offers; staff asked council to consider a roughly $150,000 budget increase to serve 50 more youth.
Latara Radlin, KAYEP program coordinator in the Charlottesville Department of Human Services, told the City Council on Nov. 3 that the city—s Community Attention Youth Internship Program placed 150 interns at 93 host sites during summer 2025 and achieved a 98% program completion rate.
Radlin said the program received 265 applications and guaranteed interviews for every applicant as part of youth readiness training. Of the 150 interns placed, 73 received city scholarships. "We were able to place those 150 youth into those 93 sites," Radlin said. She added that 11 interns were later offered employment by host organizations and several earned occupational certificates such as ServSafe and CPR.
The program, run by the Department of Human Services, focuses on four goals: workplace readiness, resilience, mentoring and community engagement. Radlin described family-night onboarding, an academy orientation, paycheck pickup with financial literacy instruction and counselor support as core elements that contributed to the success rate. "One of the tasks that our counselors get to do is take pictures of our interns while they are on-site and in session," she said as she summarized the program—s features.
Council members asked about compensation and program capacity. Radlin said youth reported being satisfied with wages and that the city—s current hourly structure remains acceptable to participants. She told the council staff see space and staffing as constraints to growth and that the program is prioritizing more multi-intern site placements.
Radlin said staff will request funding to expand the program. "For next year, we're looking at 255 total youth that we want to serve," she said, and added that meeting that target would represent an increase of about 50 participants and a budget increase of roughly $150,000 including staff hours. Council members responded with support and said they would consider the request during the annual budget process.
Mayor Wade and other councilors praised the program—s community partnerships and the mentorship role of site supervisors and counselors. Radlin closed by urging residents and businesses to join as site partners, donate in kind or encourage young people to apply.
City staff did not take a vote on funding at the Nov. 3 work session; the expansion request was presented as part of the FY27 budget planning conversation.
