SFN Dad to Dad 419 - Matt Shepherd of Emporia, KS, Owner of Midwest Evaluation & Research, Father Of Twins, One With Developmental Delays

Our guest this week is Matt Shepherd of Emporia, KS who is President and CEO of Midwest Evaluation & Research and father of two adopted children including one with developmental delays. Matt and his wife, Brenda, have been married for 35 years and are the proud parents of two adopted children; Jeremy (26) and Bonnie (25) who has high emotional intelligence as well as development delays. Professionally, Matt is owner of Midwest Evaluations and Research, a consulting firm that helps community-based organizations, foundations, schools, and governments evaluate and improve their programs. Along the way he has developed a high level of experience and expertise doing research for and evaluation of fatherhood programs. Matt is also to the founder and former board chair of Social Innovation Labratory , a non-profit that drives community-led change through partnerships and research to build equitable, innovative, and sustainable systems. Matt also founded Caerus Place for Woman , based in Souix Falls, SD to provide safe housing, compassionate support, and pathways to stability and independence for women in crisis. We’ll hear all about Matt’s work and family on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Notes - Phone – (620) 757-9101 Email – Matt.Shepherd@Midwestevaluation.com LinkedIn – Company – Social Innovation Labs – Order your copy of the new 21CD book: Dads Raising Chidlren With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads on Amazon: Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: “I wish there was something like this when we first received our child’s diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through.” SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations. Join the SFN U.S. Tour in one of 60+ locations all across the U.S. from May 21st to June 21st. Go to for additional informaiton. Please conisder hosting, co-hosting or simoly joining the tour near your home. Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: Special Fathers Network: SFN Mastermind Group - Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..

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SFN Dad to Dad 419 - Matt Shepherd of Emporia, KS, Owner of Midwest Evaluation & Research, Father Of Twins, One With Developmental Delays is an episode from Dad to Dad Podcast by David Hirsch.

This episode is 29:50 long.

This episode was published on Feb 27, 2026.

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