This award is given annually to a woman who is providing exemplary leadership in advancing the field of responsible fatherhood and family strengthening. Ms. Vicki Turetsky. She served from 2009 to 2016 as Commissioner of the Office Support Enforcement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Without a doubt, she is one of the premier women in advancing the fatherhood field. Appointed by President Obama, she was the architect of President Obama’s fatherhood legislative proposals.

During her tenure as Commissioner, her accomplishments were significant and will have a lasting effect on how child support is perceived and does its work. She created and championed the idea of family-centered child support.

This award is given annually to the public sector official (government or policymaker) for outstanding contributions in the advancement of government efforts that promote responsible fatherhood and strong families. Judge David Gray Ross was Commissioner for the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (1983-2000).

During his tenure, Judge Ross fundamentally changed the way that the federal child support system interfaces with low-income fathers. As a result of Judge Ross’s leadership, significant changes occurred resulting in “Father-friendly” practices and customer service approaches within the child support system. Recipients of this annual award have demonstrated a track record that reflects Judge Ross.

This award is given annually to a fatherhood leader and pioneer in promotion and advocacy of responsible fatherhood. Charles Augustus Ballard, Founder and CEO of the Institute for Responsible Fatherhood and Family Revitalization was born and raised in Underwood, Alabama. In 1970, he received his undergraduate degree in Sociology/Psychology from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama.

On December 13, 2002, Dr. Ballard received an honorary degree, Doctorate of Public Service, from The Ohio State University. Dr. Ballard is widely acknowledged as founder and catalyst of the community-based fatherhood movement in the United States. Dr. Ballard has worked in the field of ‘fatherhood’ since pioneering the movement in 1976, when he began his study of issues and problems affecting a multi-cultural and multi- economic group of fathers ages 14 through 55 years. From 1976 to 1981, he conducted extensive research at a local hospital and community health center in Cleveland, Ohio on father involvement in the lives of low-income single expectant mothers. In 1982, he founded the first home-based outreach services to fathers, The Teen Father Program: A Family Service, which later expanded its services to include fathers from the age of 13 to 70 years old.

This award is given annually to a private foundation leader or researcher for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the responsible fatherhood field and the strengthening of fragile families, this award was established in 1999 in honor of the historic and significant contributions of Dr. Ronald B. Mincy. Dr. Mincy has long been considered one of the nation’s top researchers in fatherhood, he is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters and is the editor of Black Males Left Behind (2006). His grant making to the responsible fatherhood field while at the Ford Foundation (1995- 2000) is legendary. Dr. Mincy funded more than 30 million dollars in new research programs, communication, activities, and evaluation efforts targeting low-income fathers and fragile families during his tenure at the Foundation. His leadership of the Strengthening Fragile Families Initiative laid the groundwork for contemporary private foundation grant making to the fatherhood field.