Y’all, let’s be real: Our days are now so full of virtual meetings that many of us are exhausted. Whether you are a professional who works with kids, a youth, or even a legislator, you have logged a lot of hours on Zoom. When, for the second year in a row, Children’s Advocacy Week had to be a fully virtual event, it would have been easy for you advocates to tune out. And yet? [...]
New year, new information about Children’s Advocacy Week! With less than two weeks to go, we wanted to share the schedule and a few reminders to help you lift your voice on behalf of kids during Children’s Advocacy Week. Due to an increasing number of COVID cases, all events will now be virtual. Also, event times are subject to change—and new events may be added!—as legislators’ schedules change. We will send updates as needed, and [...]
For 15 years advocates for kids gathered in Frankfort for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol to fill the halls of the Capitol and ask their elected officials to step up for Kentucky kids. The critical mass of advocates in the Capitol building led to many policy wins and raising awareness of issues facing kids and their families. And then? COVID-19 forced the cancellation of in-person events across the globe, including the 2021 Children’s Advocacy Day. Kentucky kids needed advocates more than ever before, [...]
As I write this, there are 112 days until my son starts kindergarten. *wipes away tears* Just over 100 days until my baby is…definitely no longer a baby. Am I ready? Absolutely not. Is my son ready? Honestly, I’m not sure. My son, Nash, has been in child care since he was an infant. The early childhood educators at Nash’s child care center are incredible, caring teachers, and he stayed at the center for preschool because I knew that his teachers would make sure [...]
When Children’s Advocacy Day transitioned to Children’s Advocacy Week, no one was sure what to expect. Would advocates still be interested if the events were virtual? Would state leaders still attend if they couldn’t see advocates in-person? Would anyone still take action on bills that are good for kids? The answer was a resounding YES. Advocates, you showed up in a BIG way. Legislators and other state leaders did the same. Between live events, Facebook [...]
Children’s Advocacy Week may be over, but the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly is just heating up. THANK YOU to all of the advocates who attended Children’s Advocacy Week events, including the many youth and state leaders from across Kentucky. There has been buzz among legislators about kids’ issues because of YOUR advocacy this week. Here are FIVE action steps you can take immediately following Children’s Advocacy Week: 1. Watch--and share!--recordings of Children’s Advocacy Week. All events were recorded [...]
It’s time, advocates! Children’s Advocacy Week is upon us. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and momentum to address systemic racism in Kentucky, your advocacy is more important than ever. Here are three action steps you need to take during—and in preparation for—Children’s Advocacy Week: 1. Check out the Children’s Advocacy Week schedule and build your personal schedule in our new app. Monday, February 1 11 AM EST – Kick-Off Event with comments from Senator David Givens 12 PM [...]
Kentucky kids, show us your art and talents! Children’s Advocacy Week is less than a month away, and while we have plans to replace the in-person advocacy events with virtual ones, there are a couple of things we are still missing: art and musical performances from Kentucky kids! In the past, Kentucky kids have performed during the Children’s Advocacy Day rally and created art to hang in the tunnel between the Capitol and Annex buildings. [...]
Advocates, get ready! Children’s Advocacy Week is only six weeks away. While we are still sorting out final details based on legislators’ availability and whether or not we will allowed into the Capitol to film portions of the virtual events, here is what we do know: All Children’s Advocacy Week events will be virtual Each day will include a featured event (such as the Rally for Kentucky Kids), a Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children information session [...]
Earlier this week, Kentucky Youth Advocates and our partners across the state announced the release of the 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children state policy and budget priorities. As our commonwealth works to overcome the “dual pandemics” of COVID-19 and systemic racism, the Blueprint’s common voice and common vision—that of a brighter future for Kentucky kids and their families—are more important than ever. All priorities on the 2021 policy agenda all meet three criteria: grounded in data, have some expectation of feasibility in the 2021 [...]
