Sesame Street Understanding and Coping with Incarceration
Content updated Nov. 7, 2024
This website has a number of videos, activities, printables, articles and even an app specifically designed to help children understand and process their parents' incarceration.
Prison Fellowship
Content updated Jan. 26, 2024
Prison Fellowship® works to restore America’s criminal justice system and those it affects. We help men and women replace the cycle of brokenness that landed them in prison. We advocate for justice reform and activate grassroots networks to do the same. We equip wardens to bring restorative change to their facilities. We care for prisoners’ families and help strengthen the bond between children and their parents who are behind bars. We call the Church to lead the way in caring for those impacted by the criminal justice system. And we do it all from a biblical worldview.
Story Link - Liberty Belle Ministries
Content updated Nov. 7, 2024
A program that allows incarcerated parents to pick a book, read the book and say a short message to their child on a cassette tape. The tape and book are sent to the child at no cost.
Kairos Outside Eastern Missouri
Women, ages 20 and above, whose lives have been impacted by incarceration, whether it be their own or that of a loved one or close friend.
Content updated Sept. 24, 2025
Kairos Outside is a ministry that provides a 2 1/2-day Christian Weekend designed to demonstrate God's grace and love through support to women who have been impacted by incarceration. In a safe environment with loving people, these women will interact with other women who are in a similar situation and learn how to form small support groups to provide strength for the challenges they face in life.
We are currently the only Kairos Outside Ministry in the state of Missouri since Kairos Outside of Eastern Missouri dissolved. We do serve the entire state and portions of Eastern Kansas. Our phone is answered from 8am to 6pm during the week and on Saturday. Anyone can leave a voice mail.
605 E. US 40 Hwy #111
Blue Springs, MO 64014
(816) 853-8299
Reentry Opportunity Center – ROC
Content updated May 17, 2025
A one-stop-shop for people recently released from jail or prison, and those under supervision in the criminal justice system.
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
1621 Towne Dr Suite G
573-607-9372
Visit Website
7 Easy Ways to Save Money on Diapers and Wipes
Content reviewed Dec. 3, 2025
Several tips to save money on diapers and wipes
Share the Love
Content updated Aug. 20, 2024
Through this program, low-income families who receive assistance from programs like WIC and TANF may be able to receive a set of cloth diapers — for free. All diapers distributed through this program are loaned to qualified families for an extended amount of time. Share the Love is a nonprofit program that distributes cloth diapers to low-income families in need. Families can keep cloth diapers from birth of child until the child is three years or
potty trained.
Apply online here.
Columbia Public Schools Preschool
Content updated Dec. 4, 2025
Columbia Public Schools offers a developmentally appropriate education through which young children actively build their potential in a positive, nurturing, culturally diverse school family environment. Preschool is a federally funded program providing services to children with developmental needs, ages 3 to 5 (non-kindergarten) years of age. Services are provided at no cost to eligible children. Eligibility is determined through a developmental screening process.
Call for screening appointment 573-214-3585.
Hours: 7:55am - 2:55pm (students); 7:15am - 3:30pm (staff)
2191 E Smiley Ln.
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3950
Sliding Scale Fee-Based Childcare
Content updated March 26, 2024
Mary Lee Johnson Community Learning Center
573-449-5600
www.mljclc.org/
Nora Stewart Early Learning Center
573-449-5981
https://norastewart.com/
Update 3/1/24: Nora Stewart does take child care subsidy. However, they have a limit to how many they can accept as it doesn’t give them full pay. They do work with some parents to help them pay weekly if it works better for the parents. It is a process where they interview with the office manager to make a plan. They are currently pretty full.
Fathers Committed to Families Initiative
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
Parent Network of Mid-Missouri
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
Powerhouse Community Development Corporation
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.
The MomCo (formerly MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers)
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
Forward Motion
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