Good Dads received its second-in-a-row appropriation in Missouri’s annual budget, signed by Governor Mike Parson at the end of June.
The nonprofit received two budgetary items: a one-time appropriation, plus a more permanent line-item that Good Dads hopes will remain in the budget for years to come. Both pools will allow Good Dads to bring its programs to more communities throughout Missouri and help fathers be more engaged with their children.
Good Dads believes fatherlessness is a bipartisan issue. It took votes from both State Assembly chambers to make this appropriation possible, but we wish to especially thank Representative Cody Smith from the Joplin area, who introduced Good Dads as a line-item into the State budget, and Senator Lincoln Hough of Springfield, who was instrumental in bringing Good Dads to the attention of the appropriations committee.
Using the appropriation from last fiscal year, Good Dads could fund expansion efforts in Columbia, Mo,—establishing its newest chapter there, hiring staff, training facilitators, and most recently, completing its first Good Dads 2.0 and Within My Reach classes in Central Missouri. The 2023–2024 appropriation also allowed the nonprofit to purchase new equipment for its staff, secure a new building for its growing team, launch a brand-new community development curriculum, and much more.
This year’s appropriation will, among other expansion efforts, help Good Dads build its Kansas City operations into a regional hub—with the potential to reach hundreds of fathers in and around the KC metro area.
Good Dads is energized by the support of our state senators and has big plans for this year’s funding. The best way to keep up with Good Dads by signing up for our free weekly e-newsletter.
