Buncombe County committee reviews provider survey, funding strategy and available carryforward funds

The Buncombe County Early Childhood Committee on Oct. 25 reviewed end-of-year provider survey results, heard staff outline a four-part funding‑strategy series to guide fiscal‑year 2026 planning and was told $236,797.06 remained available in the county early childhood fund.

The discussions focused on how the county’s roughly $4 million‑a‑year early childhood fund fits into state and federal programs such as NC Pre‑K, Head Start and the state childcare subsidy, and what local data the committee needs to demonstrate system‑level impact and prioritize investments.

Rachel, a county staff member presenting survey results and analysis, told the committee that the packet compared beginning‑of‑year and end‑of‑year figures for licensed slots, “ideal” slots (what centers say they would like to enroll given resources), enrollment, wait lists and workforce metrics for the seven funded provider organizations that operate grantee centers. Rachel said the county’s grant reports showed three grantees returned underspent funds and that staff had worked with providers to project end‑of‑year spending for fiscal 2025.

“Three grantees reported carryforward amounts,” Rachel said. “That included ABTech and Buncombe Partnership for Children; staff will follow up with the other organizations on the specifics.”

Commissioner Al Whitesides, who addressed the committee as an elected leader, urged…