Title
Vote on a request to approve the County Funding Plan (DOA-731) for the Home and Community Care Block Grant for fiscal year 2019/2020 as recommended by the Advisory Committee appointed by the County Commissioners and to enter into an agreement with the Triangle J Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging.
Abstract
Action Requested: Motion to accept the $602,067 from the State’s Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) to be used according to 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 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 20, 2019, included personnel from the Health Department and the Council on Aging. Representatives from Social Services, Daymark Recovery Services and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare were invited but unable to attend. One of the members includes Chatham’s immediate past delegate 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. An older adult, who expressed interest in becoming a future member of the committee, observed the process but did not vote
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.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: This action is supportive of various elements of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, with particular emphasis on health. For example, it is directly related to HL Policy 17 designed to “help seniors remain involved in the community.” It is also consistent with the vision and goals of the 2018-2023 Chatham Aging Plan, which was identified as a priority by the Health and Human Services Collaborative Impact Team.
Budgetary Impact: None. The required 10 percent local match can be met with existing funds.
Recommendation: Motion to accept the Home and Community Care Block Grant of $602,067 to be used per the Funding Plan for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 (DOA-731) 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.