HCCBG Advisory Committee Meeting

HCCBG Advisory Committee Meeting Recap: August 27, 2025 – Planning for the Future of Home and Community Care

The Moncom County Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) Advisory Committee convened on August 27, 2025, to discuss the current status of existing programs funded by the HCCBG and to explore potential changes to how grant applications are evaluated. The meeting, attended by committee members and representatives from various service providers, centered on ensuring the program effectively supports older adults and individuals with disabilities in Moncom County.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the current funding landscape and provider performance. While most contracts are in place, a slight delay with Mayheft’s legal department is impacting their ability to submit invoices. Updates were provided on the activities of several key providers, including Buncombe County, Center for Conscious Living and Dying, Mountain Aging Partners, OnTrack, and UNITE. The committee emphasized the importance of careful budget management by providers to avoid returning unused funds, a recurring challenge in previous years. Accurate data entry into the Aging and Disability Services Information System (ARMS) was also highlighted as crucial for demonstrating effective funding utilization.

Beyond the immediate status updates, a major theme of the meeting was preparing for potential future funding reductions. With discussions ongoing at the federal level regarding block grant programs, committee members stressed that providers should proactively explore alternative funding sources and consider cost-saving measures. This message was echoed by the Committee Chair, who urged providers to plan accordingly for a potentially leaner funding environment.

The committee also dedicated considerable time to reviewing and discussing potential revisions to the application scoring tool used to evaluate grant proposals. Concerns were raised that the current tool may inadvertently prioritize strong grant writing skills over the actual effectiveness of proposed programs. A key debate centered on simplifying the scoring process, potentially focusing on yes/no questions related to need assessment, project planning, client numbers served, coordination with other agencies, and equitable service delivery. A controversial proposal to eliminate the “equity” component of the scoring tool was discussed, with some members expressing concerns about potential bias. The committee ultimately leaned towards a return to results-based accountability, emphasizing questions that assess what was done, how well it was done, and whether individuals are demonstrably better off as a result. Discussions also touched on incorporating more data-driven metrics, such as zip code information and client demographics, though challenges related to state regulations regarding waiting list data were acknowledged.

What's Next & Why It Matters:

The decisions made at this meeting will directly impact how future grant applications are evaluated and ultimately, which programs receive funding. Residents can expect to see the following developments:

• Revised Scoring Tool & Mission Statement: Committee members will be drafting proposals for a revised application scoring tool and defining the committee’s core values, with submissions due by September 19th.
• Further Discussion & Refinement: The proposed changes will be further discussed and refined at the next committee meeting on September 24th.
• Focus on Results: The ultimate goal is to ensure that the scoring tool accurately reflects program effectiveness and prioritizes initiatives that demonstrably improve the lives of vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities in Moncom County.

This ongoing review process aims to ensure that the HCCBG program remains responsive to community needs and continues to provide vital support for those who rely on these essential services. The Committee Chair will also be sharing the Home and Community Care Block Grant manual with committee members for reference.