Aging and Disability Services defends plan to move driver‑training staff to DMV, outlines cuts to fall‑prevention and workers' rehab programs

Amy Porter, commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services, told the Human Services Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee that the agency plans to transfer the department’s three‑person driver‑training team to the Department of Motor Vehicles so DMV can better serve applicants with disabilities.

“The Department of Motor Vehicles needs to be and wants to be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities,” Porter said. She said the transfer involves three filled positions — a supervisor and two driver‑training inspectors — and that ADS staff will support DMV during the transition so disability knowledge moves with the staff.

Porter acknowledged past problems when DMV previously held the program and was “swallowed up” by broader DMV operations; Representative Walker and other legislators pressed for a firm commitment that the disability focus would be preserved. Porter replied that she would “bring him along with me, and we will answer whatever” questions legislators raise about implementation.

The committee also questioned proposed reductions to two smaller, targeted programs. Jasmine Berry, fiscal administrative manager for ADS, said the current fall‑prevention fund balance for fiscal year 2025 is about $383,000. The governor’s proposal at the hearing reduced fall‑prevention funding by roughly $191,000, leaving an estimated $290,000 in the account. Berry said the program had paused after a contracted staff person retired and a contract with Yale was not renewed; ADS is preparing a request for proposals to restore outreach and evidence‑based fall‑prevention activities in senior centers, fire departments and municipal partners.

Porter described workers’ rehabilitation as a voluntary program for individuals on workers’ compensation who need retraining or an employment plan. Committee members asked about the program’s remaining balance after a proposed reduction of about $405,000; Berry reported a balance in the ballpark of $565,000 (committee discussion included an alternate estimate of “about $516,000” as members and staff reconciled numbers). Porter said the workers’ rehabilitation program supports working‑age adults returning to paid work and that ADS will provide more detail on eligibility and expected services.

Porter and staff repeatedly told the panel they would supply more precise eligibility ages and budget breakouts at the committee’s working session. The agency emphasized that the driver‑training transfer will include staff who carry disability expertise and that ADS will oversee the transition to ensure DMV staff acquire needed accommodations knowledge.

Ending

Committee members requested written follow‑up for working sessions: exact fall‑prevention eligibility ages, the schedule for use of remaining fall‑prevention funds, the precise remaining balance after the proposed reduction to the workers’ rehabilitation account, and a timetable for the driver‑training transfer and oversight commitments.