Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency Abruptly Cuts $43 Million Program for Teens with Disabilities: The Cost of ‘Efficient’ Government

In a controversial move that has left families, educators, and lawmakers frustrated, the Trump administration has canceled a critical $43 million program aimed at helping high school students with disabilities transition to post-school life.

The program, called Charting My Path for Future Success, was designed to provide intensive support to students with disabilities, helping them set goals and develop the skills necessary to succeed in college or the workforce. However, the program was abruptly terminated just three weeks after its launch, as part of the Trump administration’s push to eliminate what it views as waste and inefficiency in federal spending.

The cancellation of the program, which was part of a larger set of budget cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a department headed by tech mogul Elon Musk—has drawn widespread criticism.

As the program’s cancellation underscores the tension between cost-cutting measures and the needs of vulnerable populations, critics argue that the administration’s insistence on “eliminating waste” is jeopardizing the future of thousands of teens with disabilities who stand to benefit from programs like Charting My Path.

The Charting My Path for Future Success program was a research-based initiative aimed at helping students with disabilities, including those with autism, ADHD, and physical impairments, navigate the transition from high school to post-secondary education or the workforce.

Enrolled in the program were approximately 1,600 high school juniors across 13 school districts in states like Virginia, Arizona, and Georgia.

Under the program, students participated in classes where they would set personal and professional goals, receive one-on-one mentoring, and engage in activities designed to increase their self-determination.

Teachers and mentors worked closely with students to discuss their aspirations, whether that be attending college, learning a trade, or simply becoming more independent. 

As part of the research component, the program also gathered data on the effectiveness of these interventions, with plans to continue tracking the students’ progress until at least 2028.

For many students, this program was a rare opportunity to receive the extra support they needed to make the often-difficult transition to adulthood. It was an effort that, according to supporters, could have had a transformational impact on their lives—empowering them to reach their full potential.

Logan Damroth, a 17-year-old student from Newton, Massachusetts, was one of the students enrolled in the program. Logan, who suffers from autism, anxiety, and hypersomnia, had struggled with school for years.

While his love of physics and genetics made him excited about his future, his medical conditions often made it difficult for him to stay awake and engaged.

Logan’s mother, Jessie Damroth, was thrilled when Logan’s school district signed up for the program. “We had just started seeing some real progress. Logan was excited about the future for the first time in a long while.

He was starting to set goals and talk about college,” she recalled. “Then, suddenly, it was just taken away. The rug was ripped out from under him.”

The Trump administration’s decision to cancel the program was justified by DOGE officials as a necessary step to eliminate “waste, fraud, and abuse” in federal spending.

According to Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education, the program was canceled after a review found that a significant portion of its budget was being funneled into administrative overhead.

Biedermann stated that “more than 50% of the contract was going to vendor overhead” and that, in their assessment, the program was “not meeting the needs of the students it was intended to help.”

According to DOGE, the program’s primary vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), was responsible for much of the administrative costs, including consulting fees. AIR’s involvement raised concerns about the amount of money spent on contractors rather than directly benefiting students.

The Trump administration’s review found what it described as a questionable $600,000 payment made to AIR for consulting services provided to a subcontractor that was allegedly underperforming.

Despite the $38 million in “savings” reported by DOGE from the program’s cancellation, many of those close to the program are furious at the loss of such a valuable resource. John Curley, a special education teacher at Newton South High School, worked closely with Logan and other students enrolled in Charting My Path.

“We had students who were just beginning to take charge of their future,” Curley said. “We saw the progress they were making. Then, all of a sudden, the program was shut down. It’s devastating.”

The cancellation of Charting My Path has affected families and students across the country who were counting on the program to help them transition to independent living. For students like Logan, who had already begun making strides toward self-sufficiency, the decision is not only disappointing—it’s devastating.

Logan’s mother, Jessie, shared the emotional toll the cancellation has taken on her family. “I cried all day when I found out. The program gave Logan the confidence he needed. He was talking about the future, something we had never heard him do before. Now, all of that has been taken away.”

Logan’s story is far from unique. Parents and educators across the country are speaking out about the lost potential and the missed opportunities that come with the cancellation.

Janelle Phillips, a mother of a student in Georgia who was also enrolled in the program, said, “My daughter was so motivated by the program. She started talking about her future in ways we never thought possible. And now, it’s just gone.”

The program’s sudden end has left many families scrambling to find alternative support systems for their children. For some, this means returning to the outdated, inadequate services that existed before, which were often unable to provide the targeted interventions needed for students with disabilities.

The cancellation of Charting My Path is part of a larger pattern of cost-cutting measures and staff reductions being implemented under the Trump administration. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created by President Trump in 2025 to audit and streamline government spending across federal agencies.

Under the guidance of Elon Musk, the department has implemented widespread layoffs and the consolidation of various government services, all in the name of reducing waste.

DOGE has already taken credit for canceling more than 7,000 federal contracts, including research projects, development initiatives, and services for marginalized populations.

While some have praised Musk and the Trump administration for “cutting red tape” and eliminating inefficiency, others argue that this is part of a broader agenda to privatize government functions and dismantle the social safety net that supports low-income and vulnerable Americans.

Critics of Trump’s administration argue that these cuts are not just fiscal adjustments, but a political strategy designed to undermine the effectiveness of government agencies, particularly those that provide services to those in need. Elon Musk, who leads DOGE, is a deeply polarizing figure, and his vision for government has raised alarms about the consolidation of power among a small group of elite figures, unaccountable to the public.

As the controversy surrounding the cancellation of Charting My Path continues to unfold, advocates for people with disabilities are calling for action. Groups like The Arc, which advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, have expressed outrage over the decision, emphasizing the long-term damage it could cause to future generations of students.

“By cutting programs like Charting My Path, the Trump administration is depriving our students of the opportunities they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive world,” said Amy Goldman, a spokesperson for The Arc.

“The future of these young people depends on the resources and support systems we put in place now. The administration’s decision to pull funding for this program is a massive setback.”

Some are hopeful that the public outcry will push lawmakers to intervene. Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats have signaled that they may attempt to reinstate the program or fund similar initiatives through new legislation.

However, the political gridlock in Washington means that even promising solutions may be delayed, leaving students like Logan and their families in limbo.

“Logan was just getting started,” said Jessie Damroth. “And now, he’s back to square one, trying to figure out how to make his way in the world without the support he so desperately needs.”

For now, the fight for disability rights and adequate educational resources continues, as families, educators, and activists seek justice for the programs that have been canceled or defunded under the Trump administration.