Title
Vote on a request to approve the County Funding Plan (DOA-731) for the Home and Community Care Block Grant of $616,475.00 for fiscal year 2021/2022 as recommended by the Advisory Committee appointed by the County Commissioners.
Abstract
Action Requested: Motion to accept the $616,475 from the State’s Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) to be used according to the Committee’s budget recommendation and to proceed with an agreement with the Triangle J Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging for the provision of aging services by the Chatham County Council on Aging in connection with activities financed by the Block Grant.
Introduction & Background: The Home and Community Care Block Grant is the vehicle used in North Carolina to distribute state and federal funding consistent with the federal Older Americans Act and a formula developed by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services. Services are provided according to the standards established by the State Division of Aging and Adult Services consistent with the Act. Annual monitoring of these services is conducted by the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging. Each County appoints a Block Grant Advisory Committee to consider the allocation of funds among services. The recommended budget requires that the Chatham County Council on Aging provide all services directly or through contract. At least a third of the Advisory Committee members, who represent a broad range of aging interests, are older adults. Other members who were present for the committee meeting on May 19, 2021, included personnel from the Health Department, Social Services, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, Daymark Recovery Services, and the Council on Aging. Three of Chatham’s four members of the Triangle J Aging Advisory Committee attended (one of whom is Chatham’s alternate to the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature.) In addition, the Director from the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging was present to provide technical assistance. Two older adults, who expressed interest in becoming a future member of the committee, observed the process but did not vote. The funding plan was recommended by all members. They also formally gave guidance for use of any additional HCCBG funds should they become available this year.
Discussion & Analysis: The Chatham County Council on Aging is the agency with lead responsibility for planning and coordinating the HCCBG County Funding Plan and the delivery of services to older adults and their families. This is outlined in an Agreement between Chatham County and the Chatham County Council on Aging. The recommended funding plan considered information about needs and other resources available to the Council on Aging and within the community. It also took into consideration the ongoing effect of COVID-19 on services and funding and the anticipated aftermath of the pandemic.
Budgetary Impact: None.
Recommendation: Motion to accept the Home and Community Care Block Grant of $616,475 to be used per the Funding Plan for Fiscal Year 2021/2022 as approved unanimously by the Home and Community Care Block Grant Planning Committee, and to proceed with an agreement with the Triangle J Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging for the provision of aging services by the Chatham County Council on Aging in connection with activities financed by the Home and Community Care Block Grant.