Pioneer urges 'responsible fatherhood'

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In his 70 years, Charles Augustus Ballard has overcome the loss of his coal-miner father, functional illiteracy, a stint in prison and unwed fatherhood.

His experiences led him to found in 1982 a national organization that was one of the first -- if not the first -- to promote "responsible fatherhood" as a social policy, the Institute for Responsible Fatherhood and Family Revitalization (IRFFR).

Last month, one of his dreams came true: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of its first funding stream dedicated to "responsible fatherhood" programs.

But for Mr. Ballard, the $32 million announcement comes amid a difficult personal struggle: He came home Wednesday from a Bowie rehabilitation center, where he has been recovering from a devastating stroke suffered in January.

His new goals are to walk without a cane and resume jogging; write a book about restoring broken relationships; and help his wife, Frances, rebuild their organization.

The couple is already in discussions with several organizations about partnering with the IRFFR. Applications for the new grants are due in two weeks.

For the moment, Mr. Ballard is grateful to be home again, having relearned how to talk, walk and eat.

"I am going to really hit the road running," he said in his Glenn Dale home.

"My husband is a man of tremendous faith and I am, too," Mrs. Ballard said. "The mission and purpose and drive goes forward."

The problem of "fatherlessness" first gained widespread national attention more than a decade ago.