Fathers and father-figures

Content updated June 25, 2025

Good Dads offers a variety of resources for fathers and father-figures, including fatherhood skills classes, events, workplace programs and a huge library of online resources like blogs, podcasts and conversation starters.

Any and all fathers can benefit from Good Dads resources. Dads with students in elementary schools will love participating in Good Dads Strong Schools, a monthly before-school activity focused on building relationships and character. Working fathers can dive into relevant fatherhood topics in our Essential Good Dads Playbook, Fundamentals for Good Dads. Fathers facing challenges to being Good Dads, histories of incarceration, persistent poverty, addiction or child support challenges, are welcome to participate in our rigorous responsible fatherhood program, New Pathways for Good Dads.

Love Columbia Center
1209 E. Walnut St
Columbia, MO  65201
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri
Email: hannah@gooddads.com
(417) 501-8867 x 300

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Content updated May 7, 2025

Summer Academy serves students 3-12 years old. Learning and fun are combined using IXL educational enrichment. This software is a teaching tool that continually enhances participants’ mathematic and language arts skills and helps decrease potential learning loss that can happen during summer downtime. The summer program also includes a nutritious breakfast, lunch, educational enrichment, Science and discovery projects, swimming, and weekly field trips.

The summer session is from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm and runs June 2nd – August 8th , 2025. Cost is $150 a week per student with limited scholarships available. UCB Academy also accepts Mo State Child Care Subsidy. 

7:30 am to 5:30 pm
617 N Providence Road
Columbia, Mo 65203
573-447-7351
Email: ucschoolhouse@ucbuilders.org

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Content added Sept. 3, 2024

Show Me Christian Youth Home: Rescue and Restore is in La Monte, Missouri.

Where can families turn in times of crisis with their children? Costly private programs? Children’s Division? Is there another option? There is a place…Going beyond the limits of traditional foster care, children living at Show-Me Christian Youth Home receive therapeutic benefits from specialized programs in a Christ-centered, family environment. Working together, we help each child—physically, academically, emotionally, and spiritually—overcome the struggles of their past and prepare for a successful future. It’s not our obligation to help children and families in crisis—it’s an opportunity to make our neighborhoods a better place for all of us.

24302 Mahin Rd.
P.O. Box 6
La Monte, MO 65337

(660) 347-5982

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Families of children with disabilities ages birth to 26

Content added July 3, 2024
Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) is a state-wide, non-profit Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) established in 1988. Our Mission: Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special education needs can reach their full potential in education and life.

Services Offered at No Cost to Parents, Youth, and Professionals:
-30+ In-Person and Online Training Classes
-Direct Support for Families: Special education process assistance for children from birth to age 26
-Collaboration Guidance: Information on working with schools and communities
-Resource Hub: Fact sheets, model forms, sample letters, website, e-newsletter, and social media

1530 Main St
Joplin MO 64801
Hours: M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM, except for holidays
(800) 743-7634
Email: info@missouriparentsact.org

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Content updated Sept. 4, 2025

Created by Thriving Home, these table talk cards are a fun activity for families who want to spark more conversation around the table at mealtimes. Click the button below to view and download the table talk cards.

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Children, adults, couples

Content updated Sept. 25, 2024

Crowned Counseling is a local agency that provides mental health services to people across Columbia and the state of Missouri. Through employing clinicians of color, Crowned Counseling seeks to provide culturally responsive mental health services to underserved communities.

Crowned Counseling works with clients to reach holistic wellbeing by providing individual, family, couples, and group therapy.

601 E Broadway, Suite. 304
Columbia, MO 65201
573-825-0672
Email: hello@crownedcounseling.com

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Parents, Caregivers, Grandparents, Professional

Content updated Sept. 3, 2025

Get the parenting support you need—faster and easier than ever. With our new phone shortcut, ParentLink is always at your fingertips. No more searching for numbers or websites.

Just visit https://appsprod.missouri.edu/parentlink/public and follow the quick instructions to add the icon on your phone. Real parenting support from real people—just one tap away, and there’s never a fee.

Address: Virtual
Hours: M-F, 8am-5pm
(833) 546-4543
Email: parentlink@missouri.edu

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Content updated Sept. 4, 2025

A list of picture books for children. The site provides book reviews and interviews with authors.

npr.org/books

Content updated Sept. 4, 2025

The goals of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) are to provide, facilitate, and disseminate current research and proven and innovative strategies that will encourage and strengthen fathers and families and providers of services.

1-877-432-3411
Email: help@fatherhoodgov.info

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Content updated Aug 2, 2023

The Fatherhood Program is administered by Missouri Division of Child Support Services to help a noncustodial parent avoid having to appear before a judge in court. It’s an employment-based service that focuses on providing services that can help the noncustodial parent achieve selfsufficiency.

Contact:
Powerhouse Community Development Corporation
601 Business Loop 70
West Suite 214 (Parkade Center)
(573) 723-6030

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Content updated Sept. 10, 2024

Encourages, educates and empowers families of individuals with disabilities to maximize independence.

Services for Independent Living
2nd Thursday of each month, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
1401 Hathman Pl.
Columbia, MO
573-874-1646

Boone County Family Resources
4th Thursday of each month, 6 - 8 p.m.
2700 W. Ash Street
Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-1995

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Content updated Feb. 26, 2025

Powerhouse was established in 2008 with a mission to “prepare and equip individuals for economic and life challenging situations as it relates to their personal growth and development.” Since its inception, Powerhouse has focused on providing relevant programs and services that positively impact the social, economic, and health- related needs of residents in Central Missouri. In keeping with its mission, Powerhouse has implemented programs focusing on positive youth development, strengthening families, responsible fatherhood, transportation, food insecurity, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorder and treatment, community development, and access to care.

Columbia Location:
​601 Business Loop 70 W. Ste. 214 B
Columbia, MO 65202
Janice Brooks jbrooks@pwrhousecdc.org
573-208-7685

Update 2/26/25 - Now enrolling for the After School Program, Feb. 10th -May 23rd 2025, See flyer for details.

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Mothers of young children - from pregnancy through school-aged. We are a women's ministry, geared toward helping moms find community with other moms.

Content updated Nov. 17, 2025

Visit www.themom.co/find-a-meetup for updated meetings in your area.
(888) 910-6677
Email: service@themom.co

CoMO MomCo @ Woodcrest Church
Tiny Play Cafe, Columbia, MO 65203-9556
Meeting Days: Tuesday Nights September-April at 6-8pm.
Step out of your comfort zone and join fellow moms as we help each other navigate daily life as moms, wives, friends, and more. We are a Christian based organization that welcomes moms of all stages and all types of families. They say it takes a village for a reason. We weren't meant to do Motherhood alone.
Group Page: http://www.themom.co/groups/comowoodcrest

JC MomCo
Living Hope Church 3011 S. Ten Mile Drive Jefferson City, 65109
Meeting Days: The first and third Tuesday of the month at 9:00AM - 11:00AM
Group Page: http://www.themom.co/groups/jcmomco
Website: http://www.livinghopejc.org

Content updated Dec. 13, 2023

Forward Motion reaches out to single moms with unconditional love and support. Build relationships in an atmosphere of HOPE as you laugh, learn and pray together. This group of single moms comes together every Tuesday evening to have dinner (prepared by volunteers), join in bible study and live in community together.  Forward Motion organizers offer free childcare during the group’s regular meetings.

This group meets from 6-8pm each Tuesday while school is in session.

Contact Michele for more info:
Women's Ministry
Forum Christian Church
573-443-3900

Content updated Dec. 18, 2023

PAT is a free service from Columbia Public Schools that can provide parents with developmental and social/emotional screenings for their young children and babies, including hearing and vision screenings.

2191 Smiley Lane
Columbia, MO 65202
573-214-3955

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Families with children ages 0-5

Content updated Nov. 17, 2025

First Chance for Children provides early childhood programs and family resources that support safe and healthy outcomes for children and families across Missouri.
Services:
First Chance for Children offers comprehensive early childhood services designed to support families from pregnancy through age five. Our programs include Baby U, a home visitation initiative that combines the evidence-based Parents as Teachers® and Nurturing Parenting® models to guide parents in fostering their child’s growth and development. The Baby Bags Diaper Bank provides diapers, wipes, and period products to families across central Missouri, reducing financial stress and improving family health and hygiene. Through our Lend and Learn Toy Libraries, families can engage in free, developmentally appropriate play, borrow educational toys, and connect with other caregivers to reduce social isolation. The Safe Cribs Program ensures that every infant has a safe sleep environment and that caregivers are equipped with the knowledge to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. Each program is designed to meet families where they are, whether at home, in the community, or through trusted partner agencies to ensure equitable access to critical early childhood supports.

Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday and other hours as scheduled
1002 Fay St
Columbia, MO 65201
573-777-1815
Email: glitteken@fc4c.org

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https://www.facebook.com/FirstChance4Children
https://www.facebook.com/LnLLibraries
https://www.instagram.com/firstchanceforchildren/
https://www.instagram.com/lnllibraries/

Content updated Nov. 21, 2025

Want to be the best parent you can be? Would you like to get off to a great start with your child? A home visitor can help and is available both before your child is born and afterwards. Click on the link below for more info.

Healthy Families may provide car seats, portable cribs, diapers/wipes, books, or other health, safety, and developmental items to our participants.

Your home visitor will be there to listen, help you find answers to your questions, and to support you in being the kind of parent you want to be! For more information, please call 573.817.6430.

1005 W Worley St
Columbia, MO 65203-2037
573-817-6430
Email: sandra.miller@como.gov

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Content updated on Dec. 24, 2024

At the MU Family Impact Center, we aim to provide lifelong education that will help our community’s residents improve their quality of life.
We welcome participants from anywhere in the mid-Missouri area.
We offer numerous programs in one place in order to bring the knowledge, research and resources from the University of Missouri into the community.
Our FREE programs cover a wide range of needs, including nutrition, tax assistance, family support, medical care and even summer camps that are geared towards youth excellence & college preparation.

105 E Ash St.
Columbia, MO 65203
573-882-2428

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All families

Content updated Sept. 4, 2025

We are a non-profit organization with an Early childhood educational program. We service families ages 2 yrs potty trained to 12 years of age. We have an all-day program and an after school program.

M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
613 N. Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 447-7351
Email: ucschoolhouse@ucbuilders.org

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Women and families who are expecting or have children under the age of 2 years old.

Content updated Oct. 1, 2025

My Life Clinic is a nonprofit pregnancy care center that provides free services and support to women and families facing unexpected or unsupported pregnancies. Our licensed medical staff provides free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, and STI testing & treatment. Beyond medical care, we offer options counseling, parenting classes and support groups, and material item assistance. We welcome walk-ins and appointments - you can visit our website, call, or text us to schedule an appointment.

Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
802 N Providence, Suite 2
Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-3561a
Email: info@mylifeclinic.org

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