Good Dads Joplin

The Joplin chapter works with at-risk fathers through engagement and accountability. While in the program, participating fathers often take the first steps to reunify with their children, earn visitation, and begin the required steps to pay child support. The program contributes to improved social, emotional, and physical community health in southwest Missouri. We seek to reduce child abuse and neglect and build stronger, healthier families by empowering father figures in our community. 

Currently, the Alliance’s Good Dads chapter implements two evidence-based curricula. The first is Good Dads 2.0, which focuses on personal development and responsible fatherhood. The second is Within My Reach, a relationship-training program to help fathers improve communication and healthy relationship-building skills with their children and families.

Program referrals are most often made through area partners, including Jasper County Treatment Court, Jasper and Newton County Children’s Division, Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, and others who have identified families as high risk for child abuse and neglect. Program referrals are also made from the Missouri Reentry Program and residential recovery programs such as ASCENT Recovery, New Beginnings, and Oxford House. Over 90% of our Good Dads participants have been involved in the court system, are in drug recovery treatment, or both. While not considered cultural minorities, this specific sub-group of people receives significantly fewer resources and support.