Facilitators Sharpen Leadership Skills at Good Dads FORGE Training Camp
September 21, 2026
Thank you for another successful Training Camp! A dozen facilitators joined Good Dads in Springfield, MO, last week from across
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Father of three sons Brian Stranghoener didn’t know what he was getting into when his 4th grader, Hudson, brought home an informational flyer on a before-school breakfast program called Good Dads Strong Schools at his school, Bissett Elementary. Curious, Brian wanted to see what it was all about. For Brian, he’s enjoyed watching his sons […]
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In the latest episode of the Good Dads Great Communities podcast, we spoke to experts about father involvement in elementary schools. Hosts welcome Strong Schools Coordinator Jim Millsap and Good Dads Board Member Dr. Mike Dawson for a meaningful discussion about how even a few minutes of paternal presence can positively impact schools, families and communities....
Eric Griffin, Springfield father of two kindergarteners and two fifth graders, knows what being a busy father looks like. He works hard as an accountant to provide for his family, but it’s rare for him to see his children until late into the evening after work. “Most days I get up and I’m at work […]
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Most people would be more than happy to stay retired after serving nearly 40 years in the education sector. Jim Millsap, Good Dads’ Strong Schools Coordinator, isn’t most people. “I was so bad at retirement, I came on board with Good Dads,” he joked. Jim has always enjoyed being involved in education. He previously spent […]
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We loved seeing Good Dads leaders from across the state Friday, July 18, at our Family Reunion in Springfield, MO. This wonderful event was the perfect summer celebration and opportunity to make memories together. We'll be thinking about the joy, listening and insights from this day for a long time!...
I have so many Tom stories, I thought I would share another one. It has always bugged me how Tom could look at something and know it wasn’t level. I’m not talking about when something is obviously crooked—I’m talking about microscopic slants that only a level or a wizard could detect. Tom isn’t a wizard. […]
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This month on the Good Dads Podcast, our lineup explored vital areas of fatherhood: from raising financially responsible kids to building father-focused programs in rural communities. Each conversation offers a powerful reminder that intentional parenting and consistent presence can shape futures!...
School’s out and the kids are in—in your homes, in your refrigerators and in your hair. The newness of the experience has passed, so you have started looking for someone or something to babysit them. You could maybe get the next-door neighbor’s teenager to watch the kiddos, but that would cost money. So, the next […]
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We honored 24 exceptional men on Thursday, June 12, at the Downtown Church in Springfield, MO. This amazing event, with 150+ attendees, celebrated the dedicated fathers who met all the criteria of the New Pathways for Good Dads program. These outstanding individuals have accomplished a great deal: They finished both classes, found stable jobs, and […]
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In Episode 5 of Good Dads’ The Intentional Dad podcast, hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson sit down with Dyllan Dale to tackle two of the most persistent challenges facing families today: peer pressure and self-esteem. Through honest reflection and hard-earned wisdom, this conversation reminds dads that being intentional isn’t just about showing up—it’s about […]
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Good Dads, Missouri’s leading father-focused non-profit, named three communities, Ava, Rolla and Texas County, as its Great Communities of the Year this week. The contest, the first of its kind, celebrates the outstanding grassroots developments taking place throughout the state to support responsible fatherhood. With 14 community chapters launching Good Dads initiatives, plus additional Good […]
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When my son whispered that he had said “the s-word” at school, I braced myself. But what came out of his mouth wasn’t what I expected. That moment might seem small, but it launched one of the best parenting tools I’ve ever stumbled into. I call it “No Consequence Questions,” and it’s saved us from […]
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12 Stats That Will Change the Way You Think About Responsible Fatherhood
Somehow, we blinked and the holidays are already here. While we hurdle toward the end of the year, nonprofits everywhere
DMP selects Good Dads for 2026 annual charity
Imagine our surprise and delight when representatives from DMP, Digital Monitoring Products, called the Good Dads offices this fall. “We
Gallery: Good Dads’ Training Camp fosters collaboration and community
Thirty-two Missouri residents came together last week for Good Dads Training Camp, a fun and fast-paced training over three days
Good Dads Strong Schools encourages fathers and students to talk about respect and gratitude
With Thanksgiving season upon us, dads and their young learners across the state are learning about gratitude and respect with
What does it mean to be an intentional father? 25 simple ideas to be a Good Dad
At Good Dads, we talk a lot about the importance of being an intentional father, but what does that actually
Gallery: Fanning the Flames of Fatherhood at Good Dads’ 10th Anniversary Celebration
All of us at Good Dads are feeling an abundance of gratitude for the outpour of support we witnessed at
The Harvest You Don’t See
Growing up in the country, Halloween wasn’t spooky season. It was gas-up-the-van-and-hope-you-hit-five-houses season. My brothers and I would pile in,
Good Dads Awarded 5-Year Federal ‘Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood’ Grant
Good Dads learned Tuesday morning that it is among 109 organizations in 38 states to receive grant funding via U.S.
3 Reasons to Support Responsible Fatherhood Today
In the nonprofit field, we always have our eyes set on the horizon. We’re always concerned with what the future
Pastor Brian Mattson on Good Dads Strong Schools Captain Connections
Brian Mattson has a lot of roles in his life: husband, father of two, lead pastor of the Downtown Church
Practice Makes Perfect
Have you ever had this thought? You buy a Powerball ticket and discover you won the jackpot! You’ve made it!!
Father-daughter duo Rick and Daisy Gideon on learning lessons through Good Dads Strong Schools
What do making paper airplanes, coloring pictures and creating pipe cleaner creatures all have in common? These are great, simple