Custodian with autism inspires Manatee County to contract with nonprofits for work opportunities

MANATEE -- Working as a custodian for Manatee County government has taught P.J. Tagariello about himself.

The 25-year-old, who is autistic, began working for the county as a temporary employee before being hired full-time last February.

Tagariello says he has learned so much since then.

"We are more than what we are just classified as," he said. "We are going above and beyond what the job title asks for. I enjoy coming in with the uniform because it shows I'm part of the county and community. Everyone has their part in the county."

Tagariello, who completes tasks such as cleaning floors and taking out the trash in the Manatee County Administration Building and other county buildings, enjoys the customer service aspect of the job.

"That's a good part of it," he said. "You get to help people. The customer service is the main thing. There are a lot of good people here."

Working five days a week, Tagariello says the routine has helped. He recently moved into his own apartment.

"It helps you with a sense of structure," he said. "You can have a life where you can plan out so you know what's going on."

The full-time job has allowed him to get his foot in the door.

"I was both happy and excited because good things happened," he said. "I was embarking on something new."

Now, Tagariello is hoping more people like him will have the opportunity to work. Manatee County is preparing to put out a Request for Proposal to contract with a local nonprofit, which would be in charge of emptying the 300 trash cans at Palma Sola Causeway Park, Anna Maria's Bayfront Park, Coquina Beach and Manatee Public Beach.

"It gives everyone the fair share opportunity to work," Tagariello said. "No matter what you do, you are making a contribution to this county."

By contracting with a nonprofit, it will allow the county to utilize its labor more efficiently, said Charlie Bishop, the county's property management department director.

"Our plan right now is to vet several nonprofits in order to give one or two up to $75,000 a year in order to take that service away from us and give it to them," Bishop said.

While the county will implement the program for a 30-day pilot period, they plan to continue the program yearly if successful, Bishop said. The $75,000 will come from money raised from tourists, through the Tourist Development Council.

"We don't want to set anybody up for failure," Bishop said. "We want them to succeed."

The county plans to implement the program in early spring, and the three employees currently responsible for the trash cans at the four locations will be reassigned to other duties, including paying more attention to the restrooms at the beach, assisting with groundwork and assisting with minor renovations.

Using the nonprofit to complete the task will also allow for the trash cans to be emptied up until 5 p.m. instead of 2:30 p.m. as they are now.

"Our current staff comes at 6:30 in the morning and leaves at 2:30 in the afternoon," Bishop said. "Trash still gets generated after 2:30. What we are asking the selected nonprofit to do is take the trash service all the way until 5."

Bishop said he got the idea to contract with a nonprofit at a conference.

"As long as the scope of the work gets accomplished, I don't care if it's three or 10 people," Bishop said. "The scope of the work has to be maintained and accomplished, but our idea is the nonprofit will be the overseer of the individual."

The county will pay the nonprofit, which will then pay the individuals, Bishop said.

"We are strictly looking at a labor force," he said, adding that the county will provide the materials such as the trashbags and equipment to do the service.

Because the county has seen success with employees such as Tagariello, it is "trying to take this and move it to the next step," Bishop said.

"He's a very successful employee," Bishop said.

Carmine DeMilio, the county's operations manager in property management, said Tagariello, who is his stepson, has taken a sense of pride in doing the work.

"He realized 'I can do things and I can't be held back,'" DeMilio said. "Once they get some ownership and some structure, they are on their way."

Lisa DeMilio, Tagariello's mother, said to see where her son is today is "just phenomenal."

"His self-esteem just flourished," she said. "It really did. I see a big change in him. I just want other parents to know that there is hope out there."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Custodian with autism inspires Manatee County to contract with nonprofits for work opportunities ."