Buncombe County Government, NC / Tapped In

Guest Will Baxter, Buncombe County Community Safety and Violence Prevention Coordinator, which is housed in Justice Services.

Who will discuss with us today the county’s community based public health response to violence. The purpose of the Buncombe County Community Based Public Health Response to Violence (CPrV) project is to prevent and reduce violent crime in Asheville, NC by implementing a comprehensive, evidence-based, community-led, data-driven and trauma informed violence intervention and prevention program.

Our special guests Billie Breeden Buncombe County Age-Friendly Coordinator and Laurie Dotson, Social Work Supervisors, will discuss services available for our aging population and their caregivers. We tackle issues around ageism.

We highlights ways that the aging population can be engage in community and social events.

Also, how to report abuse or neglect of this vulnerable population.

Today we will highlight Nurse-Family Partnership with Buncombe County Health and Human Services. Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based community health program with 45 years of research showing significant improvements in the health and lives of first-time moms and their children affected by social and economic inequality. April Baur and Claire Fontana are joining us today, Buncombe County Public Health Nurses, and Veronica Watts, NFP administrative support.

Buncombe’s Board of Commissioners have prioritized pursuing affordable housing on County-owned sites, and they would like to hear from our community as the site selection process moves forward. Joining us today is Matt Cable, Buncombe County Community Development Division manager, who will share more about this initiative and how community can participate.

In March 2023, following the results of an initial evaluation of multiple County-owned properties, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners prioritized three sites for the development of affordable housing: 30-80 Valley Street, 50-52 Coxe Avenue, 180 Erwin Hills Road (portion).

Joining us today is Deanna LaMotte Buncombe County Partnership for Children NC Pre K expansion director and staff member Cindy Knox.

They will discuss Pre K and Head Start enrollment. Learn about where to apply for programs, eligibility requirement, and the benefits.

Joining us today is Aaron Griffin, Chairman of the African American Heritage Commission. Today we would like to get the community acquainted with the African American Heritage Commission. What is its mission, who is a part of the commission, and how community can collaborate.

The City-County African American Heritage Commission consists of nine members. Three of those members are appointed by the Asheville City Council, three are appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and three are appointed by the six appointed members. The Commission is to advise the City Council and County Commissioners about the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African American arts, history, and culture.

In North Carolina and nationally, emergency allotments for COVID-19 in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program will end in March 2023. This means that in March 2023, households will see a reduction in their FNS benefits because of a federal change that ends emergency allotments for all states.

Joining us today is Trish Wallin, Deputy Director for Buncombe County Economic Services Division and JeWana McEachin, Executive Director of Asheville Buncombe Institute for Parity Achievement better known as ABIPA.
They are here today to make residents aware of the changes, but also to provide information on some resources to assist residents during this transition, like the Healthy Opportunity Pilot.

We invite our community to learn more about additional food and nutrition resources at ncdhhs.gov/foodresources. Buncombe County residents can apply for FNS benefits online with epass.nc.gov or by filling out a paper application. FNS applications can submitted by mail, phone, email, or in person.

Today guest is Angelica Tyler from the Communication and Public Engagement Department discussing the County's citizen engagement software.

Learn more about engage.buncombecounty.gov better know as Public Input and how community can engage with this platform.

Buncombe County’s engagement portal is the home for outreach and listening efforts for projects shaping the future of our community. Here you will find project updates, upcoming events, public feedback opportunities, and other information about ongoing projects.

Happy 2023!!! Today's guest is Rasheeda Hall, Buncombe County Public Engagement Supervisor.

She will share the evolution of the County's Engagement team and the work this team will continue do in 2023 to serve Buncombe County.

Also, learn of a lot of upcoming programs and initiatives for community.

Today we talk property assessment with Keith Miller (Buncombe County Tax Assessor) and Jonathan Hunter from Land of the Sky Association of Realtors (LOTSAR).

Hannah Egan, Outreach and Resource Coordinator with Green Built Alliance, discuss the services her organization provide for residents of Buncombe County on weatherization and energy efficiency tips for the home.
We also share some emergency assistance resources for family in need of heating support.

Joining us today are two guests from Buncombe County Recreation Services, Mac Stanley, Program Coordinator and Matt Dixon Park Ranger Supervisor. We understand the holidays are quickly approaching and we are at the end of the fall leaf season, However we want to inform community about some exciting upcoming events and various things about Buncombe County Recreation Services.

A holiday tradition for many mountain families returns to Lake Julian Park (37 Lake Julian Rd. in Arden) in December. Festival of Lights continues with all its illuminated magic and more.

Halyee Madfis from Buncombe County planning department joined us today to discuss the next phase of engagement around the 20-year land use plan, called the 2043 Buncombe County comprehensive plan. Learn about what we heard from earlier community input sessions and where and how you can engage this draft plan in this next phase of engagement.

November is caregiver month and we are having a discussion around caregiving and the support / resources for caregivers in our community.

Heather Bauer, Executive Director at Council on Aging of Buncombe County and Edward Jones, Family Caregiver Specialist with Land of Sky are our guests today. Support caregiver well-being is a goal in the Buncombe County Age Friendly Action Plan.

Joining us today is Buncombe County Assistant County Manager Sybil Tate and the director of Communication and Public Engagement Lillian Govus.

Sharing information about two bond referendums that will be on the 2022 election ballot. If approved, the two bonds will support conservation of open space, greenways, and increase the number of housing units for people of low to moderate income in Buncombe County.

Today we talk to Corinne Duncan, Director of Buncombe County Election Services. Corinne shares with us all we need to know about the upcoming election in November 2022

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Tapped In is a radio show that seeks to empower the community with information and resources through conversation. It is recorded twice monthly at WRES, 100.7 FM in Asheville, NC.

North Carolina will celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Week September 18-24, 2022.

Billie Breeden, Buncombe County’s Age-Friendly Coordinator and Brea Kuykendall, Aging Program Specialist, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention with Land of Sky joined us for today's episode. Learn about the various services available for our aging populations.

We also share tips around preventing falls in your home and how to safely age in place.
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Tapped In is a radio show that seeks to empower the community with information and resources through conversation. It is recorded twice monthly at WRES, 100.7 FM in Asheville, NC.

On this episode of Tapped In, we hear about Buncombe County's progress on the 2043 Comprehensive Plan and offer resources for you to be involved in the discussion.

Learn more here: https://www.buncombecounty.org/comprehensive-plan-2043

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Tapped In is a radio show that seeks to empower the community with information and resources through conversation. It is recorded twice monthly at WRES, 100.7 FM in Asheville, NC.