Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting | July 22, 2026

Meeting Overview The Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee convened on July 22, 2026, for a meeting focused on service updates, funding allocations, and administrative planning. The committee approved the agenda by voice vote and proceeded with presentations from community partners and county staff. Key discussions centered on the operational impact of Better Together Transportation, the status of Supplemental Aging Funds, and the scheduling for the upcoming grant cycle. The meeting concluded with adjustments to the committee’s future agenda to align with staff availability and reporting timelines.

Key Decisions and Administrative Actions The committee made two primary administrative decisions during the session. First, the body adopted the revised grant schedule as final, establishing January 8 as the opening date for applications and February 12 as the deadline for submissions. This timeline is designed to allow for February and March discussions, with recommendations expected in April. Second, the committee agreed to adjust the meeting schedule, moving the review of annual reporting to the August meeting and the review of the aging plan to the September meeting. Staff confirmed that end-of-year reports would be ready by August, facilitating this shift.

Discussion Highlights: Better Together Transportation A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by Gina, Director of Better Together Transportation, who detailed their free, non-medical, wheelchair-accessible door-to-door service for seniors and individuals with physical disabilities in Buncombe County. Gina emphasized the program’s mission of "relational transportation," which aims to preserve social connection rather than merely providing transit. She shared anecdotes illustrating the program's impact, such as assisting a woman in visiting her husband in a nursing home and supporting a family attending a wedding. The organization serves over 70% women with an average age of 76, with approximately 10% of trips involving wheelchair users.

Committee members engaged in a robust discussion regarding the program’s scope and challenges. Members noted that out-of-county trips are permitted only under extenuating circumstances and discussed the organization’s role as a "bridge" to Adult Protective Services for isolated individuals. Committee Member Dan praised the presentation for focusing on human stories rather than just mileage and safety statistics, encouraging the organization to continue networking with churches and institutions. Committee Member Speaker 1 shared personal experiences advocating for older relatives, agreeing that transportation is a significant barrier for those who have stopped driving due to cognitive or physical decline.

Funding Updates and Community Input Staff member Zach provided an update on Buncombe County Supplemental Aging Funds, noting that providers had utilized nearly 100% of their allocated funds. He clarified that the $25,000 regional funding was allocated to Buncombe County, and any unallocated funds, such as those intended for Henderson, were redistributed to other services. Additionally, Staff member Billy provided updates on the Age-Friendly Buncombe County action plan, highlighting the success of a recent conference and the merger of the Buncombe Aging Services Alliance (BASA) into the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee structure.

Public comment was limited to the presentation by Better Together Transportation. Committee Member Speaker 3 expressed strong support for the program, noting that it contributes to the broader goal of age-friendly communities by providing a resource for caregivers and isolated older adults. Gina highlighted logistical challenges, including the high demand for church rides on Sundays and the difficulty in sourcing wheelchair-accessible vans, which often require expensive modifications in Kentucky. She described the organization’s approach as "special forces" compared to larger transit systems, aiming to be nimble and fill gaps where larger systems cannot.

Follow-ups and Next Steps Staff members agreed to specific follow-up actions resulting from the meeting. Staff member Zach will finalize the grant schedule, incorporating the agreed-upon dates (applications open January 8, due February 12), and distribute it to the committee. Staff member Billy will move the "Review Annual Reporting" item to the August meeting and the "Review Aging Plan" item to the September meeting. Additionally, Staff member Billy confirmed he would send an email to providers with a link to watch the current and future meetings to ensure transparency. No other actions or decisions were recorded for this session.