Home and Community Care Block Grant Procedures Manual for Community Service Providers
North Carolina General Statute 143B-181.1(a)(11) establishes a Home and Community Care Block Grant for Older Adults to be administered by the North Carolina Division of Aging. This legislation is the result of a recommendation made by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Advisory Committee on Home and Community Care, a broad based state level advisory committee established in 1989 by North Carolina General Statute 143B-181.9A. This committee was charged with, among other things, developing a "common funding stream" for services to older North Carolinians.
The Home and Community Care Block Grant, effective July 1, 1992, is comprised of funding for in-home and community based services currently available through the Division of Aging as well as a portion of funding targeted for in-home and community based services previously administered by the North Carolina Division of Social Services. Older Americans Act funds constitutes approximately 45% of Home and Community Care Block Grant funding and are intended to develop and enhance comprehensive and coordinated community based systems of services, opportunities and protections for older adults. Future funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose will also be included in the Home and Community Care Block Grant. Area Agencies on Aging will fund county programs on aging through grant agreements with Boards of County Commissioners and community service providers.
The block grant gives County Commissioners maximum discretion in deciding how aging funds will be administered and budgeted in the county. By endorsing a local Funding Plan, Boards of County Commissioners will define the services to be provided, determine funding levels for services, and identify the community service providers to be involved with providing Home and Community Care Block Grant services. In addition to giving counties increased decision-making authority for planning and delivering aging services, the block grant is also intended to achieve the following goals:
- promote the visibility and importance of aging programs locally,
- establish a single set of policies and procedures for in-home and community based services provided with block grant funds, and
- provide for an equitable distribution of funds to each county consistent with the requirements of the Older Americans Act.
This manual outlines the policies and procedures to be followed by community service providers providing the Home and Community Care Block Grant services specified in the county's Funding Plan. Questions pertaining to the policies and procedures outlined in this manual should be directed to your Area Agency on Aging.
The North Carolina Division of Aging appreciates your commitment to providing quality in-home and community based services in support of older adults in your community.