Title
Vote on a request to approve the Home and Community Care Block Grant for fiscal year 2020/2021 as recommended by the Advisory Committee appointed by the County Commissioners.
Abstract
Action Requested: Motion to accept the $609,958 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 services by the Chatham County Council on Aging financed by the Block Grant.
Action Requested: Commission’s approval of the County Funding Plan (DOA-731) recommended by the HCCBG Advisory 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.
Introduction & Background: HCCBG is the vehicle in North Carolina to distribute state and federal funding consistent with the federal Older Americans Act and a formula developed by the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). Services are provided according to standards established by DAAS 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 recommend the allocation of funds among services. 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 14, 2020, included personnel from the Health Department, Social Services, Daymark Recovery Services and the Council on Aging. A representative from Cardinal Innovations Healthcare was invited but unable to attend. One of the members includes Chatham’s delegate to the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature and another, the immediate past STHL delegate. In addition, the Director from the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging was present to offer technical assistance. An older adult, who is interested in becoming a future member of the committee, observed the process but did not vote. Attached is a list of attendees, information presented at the meeting, and the recommended County Funding Plan (DOA-731).
Discussion & Analysis: Per the County’s direction, 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 effect of COVID-19 on services and funding.
Relationship to Comprehensive Plan: The work of the Council on Aging, funded by the HCCBG, is consistent with the goal of fostering a health community, especially for seniors and their families.
Budgetary Impact: None
Recommendation: Motion to accept the Home and Community Care Block Grant of $609,958 to be used per the Funding Plan for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 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.