Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting | June 24, 2026

Buncombe County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting Recap – June 24, 2026

The Buncombe County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee convened on June 24, 2026, to discuss funding allocations, review service data, and plan for the upcoming fiscal year. While most committee members were present, absences included Dan, Suzanne, Allison, and Billy. The meeting focused on ensuring the effective use of Block Grant funds to support vital home and community care services for Buncombe County residents.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on a concerning discrepancy identified in units of service data. Staff reported that 206 units had been provided without corresponding reimbursement, representing a potential $39,052 shortfall. The committee emphasized the importance of providers diligently entering all units of service, even after reaching their allocated spending limit. This practice will allow for potential funding reallocation at the end of the year, maximizing available resources. Concerns were also raised regarding accurate reporting of all funding sources to ensure Block Grant funds are used for their intended purpose. Specifically, Landisky Health Promotion and Disease was flagged as significantly behind schedule (only 49% spent), prompting staff to investigate the reason for this delay.

The committee also discussed an opportunity to reallocate $25,000 in additional regional funding. Following a robust discussion about the best approach, a consensus emerged to prioritize providers with the lowest spending rates. Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina, Meals on Wheels, and Mountain Aging Partners were identified as organizations expressing interest in receiving additional support. The committee empowered staff (working with Billy and contracting) to coordinate this reallocation process, recognizing their expertise in navigating these financial matters. As one committee member stated, “It's all up to you. This is a discussion for y’all, how you want it done so that whenever the end of year comes along, I know kind of a general consensus of how I should act.”

Looking ahead, the committee anticipates a presentation from Better Together, a transportation service provider. Members outlined their expectations for this presentation, requesting data on service locations and destinations, a narrative of the organization's founding and impact, and details about their referral processes, limitations, and future expansion plans. Grantees will be notified to encourage them to view the presentation via livestream.

Finally, the committee reviewed a draft schedule for the upcoming fiscal year and initiated discussions about potential revisions to the application and scoring sheet process, particularly regarding budget submissions. This will be a key topic of discussion at the next meeting on July 22nd. The committee also received an encouraging update about the new director of the Council on Aging and her positive initial impressions.

What Happens Next? (Action Items)

• Staff will investigate the low spending rate of Landisky Health Promotion and Disease.
• Staff will coordinate the reallocation of supplemental funding, prioritizing providers with the lowest spending rates.
• Grantees will be notified about Better Together’s presentation and encouraged to view it via livestream.
• Committee members will provide feedback on the draft fiscal year schedule and potential application/scoring sheet revisions.

Why This Matters to You: The committee’s work directly impacts the availability and quality of home and community care services for vulnerable residents in Buncombe County. By addressing funding discrepancies, strategically reallocating resources, and planning for the future, the committee strives to ensure that these vital programs continue to meet the evolving needs of our community.