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Department seeks $783.5M in FY26; highlights Age Strong Vermont plan, HireAbility grants and meal expansion
Summary
The Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living presented a FY26 proposed budget of $783,521,821 to the committee, outlined the Age Strong Vermont initiative and highlighted workforce and grant programs including HireAbility opioid‑employment pilot and Pathways to Partnership.
The Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living presented a proposed FY26 total budget of $783,521,821, giving legislators a division‑level breakdown and highlighting program priorities including the Age Strong Vermont plan, workforce initiatives and several grants to expand community services.
Budget snapshot: the department reported 88.8% of the proposed FY26 budget as global‑commitment (Medicaid) spending, 4.6% from the state general fund, 6.2% federal funds and the balance other sources. Division totals presented included Developmental Disability Services at $353,407,236 (about 45% of the department budget) and Adult Services at $378,590,741 (about 48%). Vocational rehabilitation (HireAbility) was presented at $31,761,678, and Licensing and Protection and Blind & Visually Impaired programs each make up approximately 1% of the budget.
Commissioner Cheryl Grossman described the Age Strong Vermont plan — a 10‑year, multi‑sector strategy to improve supports for older Vermonters — as a department priority. “I don't think I ever say the Age Strong Vermont plan without smiling. It is a very good multiyear plan. It is 10 year plan,” Grossman said during testimony.
Workforce and grants: the department highlighted HireAbility’s opioid employment pilot, which officials said has received opioid‑settlement dollars to expand. The department also highlighted the Pathways to Partnership grant led by the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired to support high‑school‑to‑work transitions. Officials noted investments in home‑delivered meals and an Adult Day Startup Grant to support multi‑generational adult day centers.
Why it matters: the budget underpins services for tens of thousands of Vermonters — the department reported that in SFY24 roughly 48,500 people received Older Americans Act services, nearly 6,700 received Choices for Care services and nearly 7,000 individuals accessed vocational rehabilitation services. The distribution of funds between institutional and community‑based services remains a recurring focus for legislators.
Officials said they will discuss payment reform in a follow‑up hearing and provided department performance measures and program descriptions to help legislators and newer committee members review the request.
Ending: The committee accepted the testimony and scheduled deeper follow‑up on payment reform, conflict‑free case management and program oversight in subsequent meetings.
