Annual Report 2012 2013

Gary D. BlevinsLoretta Clawson

Larry CoxRobert L. Johnson

J. B. LawrenceBrenda Lyerly

Danny McIntoshKenny Poteat

Charles E. VinesPhillip Frye, Member Emeritus

Tracy Walker, Member Emeritus

Advisory Committee

Officers

Chairman: Robert L. JohnsonVice-Chair: Gary D. Blevins

Secretary: Brenda LyerlyTreasurer: Danny McIntosh

Members

Minority RepresentativePaul L. Robinson, Jr.

Alleghany CountyLarry Cox, Chair

Chris Jones, Councilman, Sparta

Ashe CountyMark Johnston, Alderman, Jefferson

Brenda Reeves, Alderwoman, LansingJudy Porter Poe, Vice-Chair

Dale Baldwin, Mayor, West Jefferson

Avery CountyBrenda Lyerly, Mayor, Banner Elk

Gunther Jochl, Mayor Pro Tem, Sugar MountainJoel Whitley, Alderman, Elk Park

Kenny Poteat, ChairRick Miller, Councilman, Beech Mountain

Tudor Vance, Mayor, CrossnoreValerie Jaynes, Mayor, Newland

Mitchell CountyBill Slagle, Chair

Charles Vines, Mayor, BakersvillePhillip Hise, Mayor, Spruce Pine

Watauga CountyJ.B. Lawrence, Mayor, Blowing Rock

Loretta Clawson, Mayor, BooneNathan Miller, Chair

Larry Fontaine, Mayor, Seven Devils

Wilkes CountyGary D. Blevins, Vice-Chair

Robert L. Johnson, Mayor, North WilkesboroJimmy Hayes, Mayor Pro Tem,WilkesboroWanda Blackburn, Councilwoman, Ronda

Yancey CountyDanny McIntosh, Mayor, Burnsville

Johnny Riddle, Chair

2013 Executive Board

This past year we have all worked together to make the High Country a better place to live and work. It is this spirit of cooperation that enables us to achieve great things year after year. I look forward to serving our region over the coming years with new leadership on the Executive Board and appreciate our hard working administrative staff.

~ Chairman Robert L. Johnson

Message from the Chairman

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Area Agency on Aging 4

Area Agency on AgingInnovationThe Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program was launched in Alleghany and Yancey counties in 2013. The program allows older adults to make choices and decisions regarding the quality of their care, while remaining independent in their home.

The AAA staff continues to support and encourage the senior centers to strive for the state’s recognition of a “Senior Center of Excellence,” as this not only increases their credibility in the community but also increases the state funding that the senior center receives to support its activities and programs.

PartnershipsThe High Country Area Agency on Aging partnered with the Land of Sky Area Agency on Aging staff to conduct A Matter of Balance Coach training sessions (free of charge to participants) to disseminate the falls prevention program throughout the region.

Through a partnership with the Lumber River Area Agency on Aging, Region D was able to offer a recertification training (reduced fee) to the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program leaders in Ashe, Watauga and Yancey counties. Through a grant obtained through the NC Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), the AAA successfully partnered with food pantries, medication assistance programs and thrift stores to distribute over 3,500 promotional awareness items informing the recipients of the Medicare Savings Programs as well

as the Low Income Subsidy program. These programs assist low income persons with paying their monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays, etc. for in-patient and outpatient services as well as prescription drug expenses.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program update was conducted for Living Healthy Lay Leaders through a partnership with Land of Sky’s Area Agency on Aging staff.

The AAA staff is reaching out to various groups (health departments, medical community, Community Care of NC, etc.) to promote the evidence based health promotion programs so that the greatest impact may be obtained for the older adults in Region D. The AAA staff worked with and supported the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System staff in exploring the Tomando program for Watauga and Avery counties as well as connecting them with our Centralina Area Agency on Aging in Charlotte for leader training.

Ombudsman•Investigated 76 complaints•Made 196 visits to long-term-care facilities•9 Community Education and Training events

including: ○ Ashe EAPT Exploitation Seminar (60+ attendees, 3 speakers from throughout NC)

○ Long-Term-Care Disaster Planning Symposium in partnership with TRIAD-RAC (43 attendees, 3 speakers from throughout North Carolina)

○ Quarterly training on dementia with speaker Ruth Price from Project C.A.R.E. (16 attendees)

County H&CCBGOct. 2012 Increase

TOTAL Sequester CutNet Allocation 

BalanceAlleghany $162,297 $383 $162,680 ($1,704) $160,976

Ashe $269,063 $757 $269,820 ($3,371) $266,449

Avery $198,438 $512 $198,950 ($2,277) $196,673

Mitchell $189,984 $468 $190,452 ($2,084) $188,368

Watauga $258,039 $742 $258,781 ($3,302) $255,479

Wilkes $562,447 $1,870 $564,317 ($8,323) $555,994

Yancey $201,036 $542 $201,578 ($2,410) $199,168

TOTALS $1,841,304 $5,274 $1,846,578 ($23,471) $1,823,107

2013 Allocations with Sequester Cuts*Home & Community Care Block Grant

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Area Agency on Aging 5

○ Quarterly training on reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation with 2 speakers from Watauga County’s Adult Protective Services and chairperson for the Watauga Elderly and Disabled Adult Abuse Protection Team (EDAAPT) (30 attendees)

•Engaged in 46 Culture Change for Long-Term Care activities including:

○ Interviewed with Alleghany Center by Carolina Center for Medical Excellence for work with culture change

○ Facilitated trainings in Asheville ○ Consultations for providers ○ Published newsletter articles on the High Country nursing facilities’ culture change accomplishments

•Engaged in 61 Elder Abuse Prevention Activities including:

○ Active membership on 3 elder abuse prevention teams

○ 2 radio interviews ○ Training provided to long-term-care staff ○ Collaborated with elder abuse prevention teams to host community trainings and awareness events

•Provided 41 trainings to Community Advisory Committees for Long-Term care:

○ CAC members volunteered 1,208 hours and drove 9,794 miles to advocate for residents

○ Hosted CAC appreciation luncheon with speaker Brenda Reece (25 attendees)

Family Caregiver Support Program / High Country Caregiver Foundation•Leveraged $26,250 in grants for HCCF•Raised $37,604 in fundraising efforts for HCCF•Expanded HCCF Respite Voucher Program to include

Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey Counties with plans to expand to Wilkes and Alleghany in Spring 2014

•Awarded 82 $500 Respite Vouchers to family caregivers•Enrolled 9 participants in Day Break (group respite)•Served 3 clients with the evidence-based REACH

OUT intervention•Assisted 58 kinship care families in Watauga and

Avery Counties with legal fees, school-related expenses, recreational activities, holiday gifts, and monthly support group meetings•Responded to 552 Requests for Information and

Assistance•Assisted 103 clients to access services•Hosted 12 caregiver events with 1,052 attendees•Presented at:

○ NC Conference on Aging – Charlotte, NC, September 10, 2012

○ Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Raleigh, NC, October 3, 2012

County Allocation

Alleghany $1,858

Ashe $3,676

Avery $2,482

Mitchell $2,272

Watauga $3,601

Wilkes $9,076

Yancey $2,628

Totals $25,593

Title III-E CaregiverRespite Allocations

County Units Served* People ServedAt/Below Poverty

Level

Alleghany 21,687 311 146

Ashe 36,232 416 204

Avery 42,093 651 152

Mitchell 34,310 324 247

Watauga 51,101 792 216

Wilkes 79,629 906 782

Yancey 29,849 287 200

Totals 294,901 3,687 1,947

2013 H&CCBG Clients Served*1 Unit = 1 Meal (Home Delivered Meal, Congregate Nutrition), 1 Trip (General Transportation), 1 Hour (In-Home Aide Services)

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Workforce6

Workforce DevelopmentWorkforce Investment Act ServicesIn 2013, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provided funding to assist adult and youth customers in working toward meeting their educational and employment goals through the following services: assessments, classroom training, on-the-job training, work experiences, supportive services, case management, job search assistance, placement services, and follow-up services.

Return on Investment for WIA Customer ServicesThe HCWDB calculates the $1,420,619 in WIA funds expended serving Adults and Dislocated Workers will result in $4,729,028 in annual earnings for 194 customers who enter employment and remain employed for 12 months.

On-The-Job TrainingThe goal of the OJT program is for each participant to be retained in full-time, unsubsidized employment upon successful completion of the training activities. Positive aspect of OJT’s include immediate employment for the participant; wage reimbursement to the business for the extra expense of training the participant during the predetermined training period; and the worker is retained in employment with the business upon successful completion of the training plan. Participant hourly wage rates have ranged from $9.50 per hour to $17.31 per hour with an average hourly wage of $12.11 or average annual wage rate of $25,188.80. A total of 38 customers have participated in OJT in 2013.

OJT Return on InvestmentThe HCWDB calculates that if the 38 participants stay on the job for 12 months their total increased earnings will be $957,174.00. In turn, there is an additional impact of these increased earnings which includes increased local sales.

884

Total Participants

657

Adults & Dislocated Workers

610

received a training service

576

received occupational skills

training (classroom)

42

received on-the-job training 47

received only Core & Intensive Services (no

training provided)

227

Youth

89

received occupational skills training (classroom

training)

138

received other educational & employment

services

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Workforce 7

State Energy Sector Partnership GrantThe State Energy Sector Partnership Grant focused on developing green job training and employment opportunities in the region. This U.S. Department of Labor grant was awarded to Future Workforce Alliance, a partnership of the HCWDB and the workforce boards of Western Piedmont and Region C.

261 individuals entered employment. Note: $509,211 was the initial grant amount awarded. Additional grant funds were received bringing the total final grant expenditure to $712,706.

Healthcare Practitioner & Technical Occupations

43%

Healthcare Support Occupations

26%

Business & Financial Operations Occupations

9%

Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations

5%Computer & Mathematical Occupations

3%

Architecture & Engineering Occupations

3%

Community & Social Services

3%

Production Occupations3%Protective Service

Occupations3%

Office & Administrative Support Occupations

2%

Top 10 Industry Sectors for WIA Customers In Training(70% trained in a healthcare-related field)

353

Total individuals assisted since grant inception

329

Individuals participated in classroom training

64

Incumbent workers received training

33

Local businesses benefitted

25

Individuals participated in OJT activities or paid

work experiences

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Planning and Development8

Planning and DevelopmentGrant ApplicationsSecuring state and federal grants for local government projects remains a priority for High Country Council of Governments. In FY2013, HCCOG Planning and Development staff developed the following grant applications/proposals on behalf of local governments:

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)•Wilkes County: $87,150 ARC application for

additional funds for the NC 268 Ronda waterline extension project•Mitchell County: $415,000 ARC application for the

Industrial Site Access Road project•Blowing Rock: $2,583,330 ARC application for the

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Access Road project

Other Economic Development Projects•Wilkes County: $211,000 from NCDENR’s Underground

Storage Tank (UST) fund for the NC 268 Ronda Waterline Extension project•Sparta: $135,00 application to NC Rural Center for

the Water Treatment Plant Construction project•Wilkes EDC: $40,000 application to GoldenLEAF Foundation for a Cattle Improvement project

Parks and Recreation Other Economic Development Projects•Seven Devils: $135,800 application to NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for the Otter Falls

Tract project•Spruce Pine: $223,827 application to PARTF for the Ragan Park Recreation Facility project

Grant AdministrationPost-funding grant administration includes environmental reviews, coordination among funding agencies, project reporting, and funding requisition. Grant administration was provided for the following projects:•Crossnore Wastewater Treatment Plant – two grants totaling $1,098,000•Wilkes Airpark Infrastructure – five grants totaling $1,340,000•NC 268 Ronda Waterline Extension – three grants totaling $898,000•Yancey Senior Center – one grant totaling $500,000•North Wilkesboro Powersport Grafx Building Reuse –one grant totaling $72,000

Region D Development CorporationActivities included:•Approval of $569,000 SBA 504 loan for Gambill and Patel Enterprises. The Qdoba Mexican Grill project

in Wilkesboro will create 13 new jobs.•Servicing of $4,504,000 loan portfolio

PlanningHigh Country Council of Governments assists local governments with a variety of planning services. Planning assistance projects included:•Mt. Mitchell Scenic Drive Corridor Management Plan•Wilkes County Growth Management Plan•Alleghany County Economic Development Plan

Total Impact of EconomicDevelopment Activities in 2013

$20,040,000estimated private sector investment

$3,299,500public sector 

investment

603 jobs created or retained

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Planning and Development 9

•Sugar Mountain Ordinance Revisions•HCCOG Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2013 Annual Performance Report•Watauga Intergovernmental Retreat Group Facilitation•Appalachian District Health Department–Environmental Health Program Improvement Committee Group

Facilitation

GISA few of the GIS highlights include:•GIS data creation, analysis and mapping in support of the Regional Bike Plan project•Continuation of stormwater infrastructure and sub-catchment drainage mapping for the Town of North

Wilkesboro•Continued annual GIS database maintenance and support for member municipalities including re-zonings,

annexations, etc.•Water and sewer infrastructure mapping for the towns of Crossnore, Lansing and Ronda.•Yadkin River Greenway database creation, asset mapping and custom map brochure design for the Yadkin

River Greenway Council•Mitchell & Yancey County Recreational Bike Route map design and creation for Spruce Pine Main Street.

The topographic bike map was distributed at the Cycle NC “Mountains to Coast” event to promote cycling tourism in the area.•Performed annual updates to the AppalCART Schedule & Routes map brochure publication.•GIS demographic mapping in support of the RPO’s County Transportation Coordination Plans•GIS demographic and environmental review mapping in support of CDBG Scattered Site Housing Programs

Housing Rehabilitation ProgramsFor over twenty years High Country Council of Governments (HCCOG) has assisted its member counties with the administration of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Scattered Site Housing programs.

2011 Scattered Site Program (Ongoing)•3 home replacements / rehabilitations; 8 emergency repairs

Ashe 2010 Scattered Site Program (Ongoing)•3 home replacements / rehabilitations; 8 emergency repairs

Alleghany 2012 Scattered Site Program•$225,000 Application

Avery

2012 Scattered Site Program•$225,000 Application

Watauga 2010 Scattered Site Program (ongoing)•2 Home replacements / rehabilitations; 8 emergency repairs

2013 Urgent Repair Program (URP)•$75,000 Application

Wilkes 2013 Urgent Repair Program (URP)•$75,000 Application

Yancey

2012-2013 Annual Report :: Planning and Development10

Transportation PlanningHigh Country Council of Governments is the designated Lead Planning Agency for the High Country Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RPO). Activities of the High Country RPO included:•Completion of the Watauga County Comprehensive Transportation Plan•Continued development of the Avery County Comprehensive Transportation Plan•Development of a Locally Coordinated Transit Plan for Alleghany County (Alleghany in Motion)•Development of a Locally Coordinated Transit Plan for Watauga County (AppalCART)•Development of a Locally Coordinated Transit Plan for Yancey County (Yancey County Transportation

Authority)•Development of a Locally Coordinated Transit Plan for Mitchell County (Mitchell County Transportation

Authority)•Coordination of State Ethics Commission requirements for RPO members•Continued development of the High Country Regional Bike Plan•Completion of the Sugar Mountain Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan•Updated bus route maps and schedules for AppalCART•Began preparing for development of local project priorities to comply with new Strategic Transportation

Investment (STI) legislation

WILKES

ASHE

YANCEY

AVERY

WATAUGA

MITCHELL

ALLEGHANY

Completed 2008

Scheduledfor 2017

In Progress

Completed 2013

Completed 2010

Completed 2012

Scheduled for 2015

Status of Comprehensive Transportation Plans

2012-2013 Annual Report :: HCCOG Administration 11

Financial Report for FY2013

Federal Funds$5,378,885

88%

State Funds$246,701

4%

Local Funds$504,988

8%

revenues

Transportation$130,059

2%

Economic & Community Development

$526,5819%

Health & Human Services$2,522,749

41%

Workforce Development$2,821,403

46%

General Fund$129,782

2%

expenditures

HCCOG Revenues – $6,130,574

HCCOG Expenditures – ($6,130,574)

2012-2013 Annual Report :: HCCOG Administration12

Caldwell Community College8.57%

Kramer Built (Construction)

0.32%

Mayland Community College40.65%

Wilkes Community College50.46%

Workforce pass through

Alleghany Council on Aging8.57% Ashe Services for Aging,

Inc14.40%

Avery Senior Services11.40%

Mitchell Senior Center10.38%BROC Elderly Nutrition

Program16.97%

Legal Services of the Blue Ridge0.39%

Watauga County Project on Aging14.65%

Wilkes Senior Resources10.86%

Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Care, Inc.

1.71%

Yancey County Committee on Aging10.68%

AAA pass throughArea Agency on Aging Funds

Title III funds flow from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The pie chart demonstrates the administration of Community Living to the NC Division of Aging to the respective Area Agency on Aging to the individual county aging services based on the Intrastate Funding Formula factors.

Workforce Development FundsTitle I WIA Funds and ARRA Funds from the US Department of Labor. This chart reflects the distribution of WIA and ARRA funds to subrecipients for the provision of services to job seeker and employer customers.

2012-2013 Annual Report :: HCCOG Administration 13

Area Agency on AgingHome & Community Care Block Grant

*1 Unit = 1 Meal (Home Delivered Meal, Congregate Nutrition), 1 Trip (General Transportation), 1 Hour (In-Home Aide Services)

$1,823,107

Allocation

3,687

People Served

294,901

Total Units*

Program and Project Resources Leveraged by HCCOG for the Region FY2013

Workforce Development

*Numbers count customer visits to local Workforce Centers. Customers are assisted and may or may not become participants and receive Workforce Investment Act funding. The Customer Visits total of 41,134 is conservative, as no data was received from Mitchell County.

$3,164,030

Funding

41,134

Job Link Center Visits*

884

WIA Participants

353

Energy Grant

Participants

Planning & Development

$3,299,500

Public Sector Investment

603

Jobs Created / Retained

Total State & Federal Funds

Leveraged: $8,286,637

Total Dues: $116,210

$71ROI

(Return on Investment for

every $1 in Dues)

Return on Investment

14

Rural TransportationAdvisory Committee

Gary D. BlevinsJohn Brady

David BrownJudy BuchananLoretta Clawson

Larry DavisPhillip Hise

David HooperMike Inscore

Glenn JohnsonBrenda LyerlyNathan MillerJames PalermoJohnny RiddleGary RoarkJoe Street

Rural TransportationCoordinating Committee

Don AdamsLynn AustinBill Bailey

Millie BarbeeNathan BennettSheila Blalock

Richard CanipeLinda CheekRachel Deal

Bryan EdwardsEd Evans

Randy FeierabendScott FoglemanSusan Freeman

Joe FurmanAshley Grindstaff

Connie GuinnCabot Hamilton

April HammJimmy HamrickCharles HardinJoshua Harrold

Anthony HensleyRick HerndonShirley Hise

Cathy HowellGinger Johnson

David LaneDawn Leonard

Dan MeyerKen Noland

Mike NorwoodLahoma O’Lague

Rick OwenMichael PettyjohnBrenda Pittman

Bernice PrestwoodBrantley Price

Matt QuesenberryDebbie SmithLarry South

Adam StumbJay Swain

Sue ThompsonJohn TroxlerChris Turner

Charles E. VinesAshley Weaver

Neal WinebargerRobert Wiseman

John YatesCrystal C. Young

Greg Young

Region DDevelopment Corporation

Don AdamsNathan BennettDr. Keith BentleyGary L. Blevins

Tommy BurlesonBrian Crutchfield

Matt DayeRon Deyton

Dean DuncanBryan Edwards

Jim FurmanDennis GambillDoug HarrellClark HunterMartin Little

Johann LouchezKaren PowellBrian Riggins

Walter SavageKay SextonDaryl SmithJohn SpearJoe StreetTena Trice

Robert WisemanSam YearickDoug YoungJohn Young

Board Membership Listing

15

WorkforceDevelopment Board/

Youth Council

Mike BirkmireAnne BowlinJohn Boyd

Jason CarltonKim CashattKim Davis

Skip GreeneMarie Gwyn

Jennie HarpoldRhonda HermanDavid Honeycutt

Tom HughesClark HunterTrasa Jones

Dewayne KregeGina McDowell

Carolyn McKinneyBryan Peterson

Jayne Phipps-BogerWanda ProffittJanel Radford

Sam RayNancy ReevesStacy Sears

Dwight SimmonsBen VarneyBeth WattsSkip Watts

Sallie Woodring

Senior TarHeel Legislature/

Regional Advisory Committees

AlleghanyPatricia Polley, Delegate

Clifford Phillips, Alternate

AsheCharles Caudill, Delegate

Clara Miller, Alternate

AveryRachel Deal, DelegateIna Winters, Alternate

MitchellNorma Duncan, DelegateCharles Duncan, Alternate

WataugaPat Coley, Delegate

Ed Rosenberg, Alternate

WilkesBetty Knight, Delegate

Wanda Adams, Alternate

YanceyMaryallen Estes, DelegateDaphne Griggs, Alternate

High CountryCaregiver Foundation

Gigi BarkerCarol BernsLinda Bretz

Kim CuthbertsonHolly Fehl

JoRhetta GardnerToni Gault

Ellen HarrellBilly HoilmanSherrie NorrisJackie RobertsCarol Smith

Garrick SmithElizabeth Young

Thank YouYour time and efforts spent on these boards are a critical component to our success. We appreciate your dedication!

Planning & DevelopmentAdministration

Area Agency on Aging

Finance

Workforce Development

828-265-5434 (P) ~ 828-265-5439 (F)

High Country COG Staff

Rick HerndonExecutive Directorrherndon@regiond.org / x.125

Fred SidesInformation Systems Specialistfsides@regiond.org / x.110

Tanna GreathouseClerk to the Boardtgreathouse@regiond.org / x.101

Kathy CombsReceptionistkcombs@regiond.org / x.100

Anita DavieDirectoradavie@regiond.org / x.122

Brenda ReeceFamily Caregiver Support Specialist breece@regiond.org / x.128

Diane TilsonAging Program Assistantdtilson@regiond.org / x.141

Julie WigginsRegional Ombudsmanjwiggins@regiond.org / x.126

Tonia CookContracts Manager /Aging Program Coordinatortcook@regiond.org / x.113

Beth NorrisFinance Officer bnorris@regiond.org / x.109

Melanie JohnstoneAccounting Technician IImjohnstone@regiond.org / x.103

Phillip TrewDirectorptrew@regiond.org / x.121

David GrahamTransportation Plannerdgraham@regiond.org / x.135

Duncan CavanaughRegional Plannerdcavanaugh@regiond.org / x.138

Jessica BrannockGIS Plannerjbrannock@regiond.org / x.134 Kelly CoffeySenior Plannerkcoffey@regiond.org / x.114

Michelle BallCommunity Development Plannermball@regiond.org / x.115

Adrian TaitDirectoradrian.tait@highcountrywdb.com / x.130

Don SherrillOperations Director don.sherrill@highcountrywdb.com / x.120

Misty Bishop-PriceSystems Managermisty.bishopprice@highcountrywdb.com / x.119

Rebecca BloomquistSpecial Projects Coordinatorrebecca.bloomquist@highcountrywdb.com / x.136

Julia Rowland BooneRecruitment & Training Supervisorjulia@highcountrywdb.com828-265-5385

Jenny BullingtonCareer Consultantjenny@highcountrywdb.com828-265-5385