Good Dads Forge
Good Dads Forge • COMING SOON!
Good Dads Forge is an all-encompassing program for dads and their co-parents. Participants learn a variety of skills to live happy, healthy lives with our three-pronged approach: (1) healthy relationships; (2) co-parenting skills; (3) economic stability and financial literacy.
Classes are set to begin throughout Missouri in spring 2026.
Why Focus
on Fathers?
At Good Dads, we believe that fathers and father-figures are a community’s most valuable resource. A community with a high percentage of loving, engaged, responsible fathers has better outcomes in nearly every measure: education, safety, and economic stability, to name a few.
Our mission is to inspire, resource, and encourage all fathers to be more involved in their children’s lives, aiming to build better communities through engaged fatherhood. Since 2018, Good Dads has already targeted at-risk fathers with the New Pathways for Good Dads program, but with our new Good Dads Forge program, we can keep fulfilling our mission of serving all fathers, regardless of income or background.
Who is
Good Dads Forge for?
Good Dads Forge is for any dad or father-figure, regardless of his income. To qualify for the program, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Live in one of the 87 Missouri counties indicated on the map to the left.
- Be actively engaged in raising a minor child or actively involved in the life of a young adult up to age 24 who is the child of a partner or relative.
- This program is designed to fit the needs of any biological father, expectant father, adoptive father, foster father, grandfather or father-figure.
About the Program
After winning a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Good Dads is building capacity to serve couples for the very first time. Our vision for the Good Dads Forge program is to create lasting generational change by improving father-child relationships, reducing family violence, supporting healthy partner relationships, and increasing family economic mobility.
The new initiative will allow any father to access the tools and resources necessary to be a good dad. Classes for the new program will begin spring 2026.
- Understanding the importance of father engagement to children’s wellbeing
- Child behavior and development
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Co-parenting skills
- Positive bonding among partners
- Setting limits and discipline
- Healthy expression and regulation
- Realistic expectations for committed relationships
- Healthy relationships and commitment
- Employment, resume building and interview skills
- Family budgeting, credit and savings
What You'll Learn
Outcomes and Benefits
When you participate in Good Dads Forge, Good Dads will work with you to achieve a variety of positive outcomes:
- Better interactions and relationships for dads and kids
- Better interactions and relationships for men and their partners
- More positive family relationships and bonds
- More family stability and less conflict
- Improved child health and wellbeing
- More emotional connection and positive bonds for partners
- More financial responsibility and economic stability
- Fewer depressive symptoms and stress
- When you enroll in the Forge program, you’ll work together to complete confidential paperwork that helps Good Dads understand how to best serve you.
- Then you’ll join one of our classes with a small group of other dads. You’ll be expected to meet a minimum 25 hours of instruction in responsible fatherhood, healthy relationships and money management electives.
- Along the way, you’ll receive encouragement from the Good Dads team—with regular check-ins to review progress towards your goals and to answer your questions.
- Once you’ve met all class requirements (earning attendance incentives along the way) you’ll be eligible to graduate from the program and invited to attend a formal graduation ceremony to celebrate your achievements!
What to Expect
Forge Timeline
Just as every dad’s experience raising his children is unique, your journey through the Forge program will be one-of-a-kind, too. The program’s timeline and requirements may differ slightly depending on your region.
1
Enrollment & Team Service Plan
Your journey begins with a one-on-one meeting with your Case Manager. Because every dad’s situation is different, we’ll help you set specific goals for:
- Parenting & Co-parenting
- Employment & Education
- Legal & Child Support Navigation: Together, we will create a roadmap for your success and identify the resources you need most.
2
Initial Surveys & Assessments
To measure your growth and ensure the program meets your needs, you’ll complete a series of initial assessments. These are confidential and help us understand how to help our community better in the long run.
3
Phase 1: Fatherhood Skills
(Good Dads 2.0 Core • 7 Weeks)
This focused version of our flagship curriculum covers the essentials of modern fatherhood for single dads, including leadership and emotional intelligence.
- Twice-Monthly Support: While you attend these classes, your Case Manager will check in with you every two weeks to assist with your goals (employment, housing, etc.).
- Attendance Incentives: To honor your commitment, you will earn attendance-based incentives as you complete the curriculum.
4
Phase 2: Relationship Skills
(Within My Reach • 5 Weeks)
Strong relationships are the foundation of a stable home. In this 5-week course from the relationship researchers at PREP, you will focus on communication and conflict resolution.
- Ongoing Mentorship: Your Case Manager continues twice-monthly check-ins to help you clear hurdles in your personal or professional life.
- Milestone Rewards: You continue to earn incentives for consistent attendance and hitting the goals set in your initial plan.
5
Economic Stability & Financial Literacy (4 Hours)
Financial stability is key to your family’s future. This 4-hour segment provides practical tools for budgeting, credit management, and long-term planning. This can be scheduled alongside your 12 weeks of coursework, or at the end of the 12 weeks, but must be completed to graduate the program.
- Budgeting: Effective ways to manage household finances
- Credit & Debt: Strategies for improving credit scores and managing shared debt
- Planning for the Future: Setting goals for savings, car ownership, or homeownership
- Career Advancement: Resume building, interview skills, getting a better job, etc.
6
Course Completion
Once you have finished the 12 weeks of instruction and the 4 hours of financial literacy, we celebrate your achievement!
- Certification: You will receive a Course Completion Certificate, which many of our dads share with employers, family/friends, custody courts, or parole officers.
- The Graduation Event: This is a formal celebration for dads who have completed their coursework, engaged consistently with their children, and made progress on their employment or financial goals.
- Post-Grad Life: You remain part of the Good Dads family. You’ll have access to our alumni network, resource referrals and other community support.
Ready to be the hero of your own story?
Indicate your interest in Forge by filling out this form. A member of the Good Dads staff will contact you to arrange a time when we can sit down together to learn more about your needs.
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The production of this webpage was supported by Grant HHS-2025-ACF-OFA-ZJ-0014 from ACF. Its content are solely the responsibility of Good Dads and do not necessarily represent the official views of ACF.