Dent County is the latest community to join the bandwagon for Good Dads, Missouri’s leading father-focused nonprofit. Leaders across the community, from business and local government to social services and education, collaborated to build a Good Dads chapter in Salem and surrounding areas with the goal of better understanding the needs of fathers in the area and equipping them with the tools they need to be Good Dads.
Founded in 2015, Good Dads is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization aimed at helping kids and communities one dad at a time. Headquartered in Springfield, MO, Good Dads has a presence in more than two-dozen Missouri communities. It serves hundreds of fathers a year through a variety of programs, events and resources that empower them to be Good Dads.
The new chapter will operate under the title Good Dads Dent County.
“We are so excited to be bringing Good Dads to Dent County,” said Jo Ann Wells, a Dent County resident who’s spearheading the chapter. “We have many community leaders who want to invest their time and efforts in this program.”
Dent County leaders observed that, when fathers are inspired, resourced and encouraged to be more involved in the lives of their children, outcomes improve community-wide. In fact, community statistics reveal urgent needs:
• The poverty estimate for the county is 14.3%, higher than the Missouri average of 13.2%, according to U.S. Census data.
• Between 2018–2022, 22.4% of Dent County children were in single-parent households, according to the Missouri Kids Count database.
• MO Department of Social Services reported 26 substantiated cases of child abuse/neglect in the county last year, and the State Highway Patrol reported 55 domestic violence incidents in 2018, its most recent dataset.
• Statewide, there are more than 280,000 open child support cases, and more than 14,000 children are in Missouri foster care.
“We’re so excited to have Dent County come on board as a chapter because it enables them to do very important work that will affect many people for generations to come,” said Good Dads founder and director Jennifer L. Baker, PsyD. “By becoming a chapter, they’ll have the material and financial resources they need to start making a difference for fathers, children and families. It’s truly a pleasure to welcome Dent County to the growing network of Good Dads community
Good Dads Dent County is launching programs for fathers with the support of the Good Dads headquarters very soon, including:
• New Pathways for Good Dads: Designed to equip men with the tools they need to overcome barriers to responsible fatherhood, this program has resources for mental health, understanding the child support system, stress and anger management, healthy relationships and conflict resolution, securing a job or a better job, sobriety, child development milestones and much more.
• Good Dads Strong Schools: Aimed at fathers of elementary-aged students, this program promotes connection and conversation between child and parent (including step-parents, adoptive parents and grandparents). By incorporating fun and learning in a low-risk environment, the before-school breakfast program is an opportunity to make memories and gain social capital while doing an activity with your young learner.
• Fundamentals for Good Dads: Especially effective in workplace settings, this program uses common language and relatable examples common to any sports lover. Dad takes on the role of a coach and, using important communication and conflict-resolution skills, can lead his family to a “winning season.”
In the following weeks and months, Good Dads Dent County will gain a foothold by hosting Good Dads classes and events, raising funds and enrolling dads in these new programs. Because they believe fathers are critical for healthy families, happy children and thriving communities, chapter leaders are eager to begin making a direct impact on countless lives.
“We as a new chapter realize how important dads are, and we want to be a resource that improves their lives.” Wells said.
Get Involved: Wells invited anyone who wants to participate in the success of the new chapter to serve on the advisory board or make a financial or in-kind donation. Additionally, if readers know of dads who would benefit from Good Dads services, they are welcome to reach out. Please contact Good Dads at info@gooddads.com or call our main offices at (417) 501-8867.
“Join us as we grow and help dads in our community,” Wells said.
