Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting | Feb. 25, 2026

Buncombe County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting Recap – February 25, 2026

The Buncombe County Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) Advisory Committee met on February 25, 2026, to review program performance, discuss potential funding adjustments, and address challenges faced by organizations providing essential services for older adults in our community. This meeting is distinct from other county boards and commissions, even those with similar names or overlapping topics; this recap focuses solely on the work of the HCCBG Advisory Committee.

A major focus of the meeting was exploring opportunities to maximize the impact of available funding, particularly Buncombe County Supplemental Aging Funds. The committee unanimously supported the county's recent decision to allow reallocation of these unused funds, a move that could provide crucial support to agencies experiencing high demand. A key discussion centered on how best to distribute these funds, with a tentative target allocation amount of $1.6 million agreed upon for the upcoming grant cycle – though this figure may be adjusted in future discussions. The committee prioritized Working Wheels as a potential recipient, recognizing their need and the vital transportation services they provide.

Beyond funding discussions, the committee received updates on several important initiatives. Mountain Aging Partners shared challenges related to transportation for participants at their Adult Day Center, particularly due to inclement weather. Jewish Family Services highlighted their expansion of services and partnership with Deerfield and Gibbons Community, providing much-needed mental health counseling. Concerns were raised regarding ongoing issues with the Council on Aging’s database, which are impacting data accuracy and requiring further investigation. The committee also discussed the upcoming review of grant applications, with members scheduled to begin evaluating them on Friday, February 28th.

Community input was limited in this meeting, with no formal public comments received. However, a participant from an existing program powerfully emphasized the positive impact of their services on older adults, particularly in combating social isolation – a sentiment echoed by several committee members who underscored the importance of addressing this critical need.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified to ensure continued progress and effective resource allocation. Billy will provide updated reports on in-home aid units of service, expected next month. Allison and Breonna Casada from Buncombe County AHS Finance will present a year-by-year comparison of Supplemental Aging Fund spending for current providers. Billy will also reach out to the Council on Aging regarding satisfaction survey data and inquire with Better Together about their current structure. Finally, committee members will brainstorm ideas to increase older adult participation in the upcoming Age-Friendly Summit.

This meeting demonstrated a strong commitment from the committee to ensuring that funding is strategically utilized to support vital services for older adults in Buncombe County. The decisions made and actions planned will directly impact the availability of essential support services, addressing critical needs like transportation, mental health counseling, and combating social isolation – all vital components of a thriving community for our aging population.