McDowell County board agrees to submit federal grant to help children of incarcerated parents

The McDowell County Board of Commissioners voted March 9 to authorize county staff to submit a federal Office of Juvenile Justice grant application in partnership with the faith-based nonprofit Freedom Life.

Danny Hampton, who identified himself as representing Freedom Life, told the board the proposed program would create a family care council and a new child‑services division to serve children of incarcerated parents. “We want to start working with your kids and start bringing family unification together,” Hampton said, describing case-managed services aimed at reunification where possible.

Hampton said the county would serve as applicant and fiscal agent while Freedom Life would be the subrecipient and direct service provider. He said the application is effectively written and requested the board’s endorsement so the group could file by the grants.gov deadline of March 30 and the JustGrants deadline of April 6. Hampton described the award as a three‑year grant with a one‑year no‑cost extension and said the organization plans to develop Medicaid‑billable services and other sustainability strategies during the grant term.

A commissioner speaking for the board praised Freedom Life’s prior work with adults and supported the partnership. The board approved a motion to accept and submit the application by voice vote.

Why it matters: Hampton said McDowell County ranks high statewide in the number of children in foster care tied to incarcerated parents and argued the proposal would add targeted services that community partners and child‑welfare staff could coordinate. The county’s role as fiscal agent places oversight and performance reporting responsibilities with local government if the award is made.

Next steps: The county will submit the application before the listed deadlines and, if the grant is awarded, will oversee performance reporting while Freedom Life would implement services as the subrecipient.