Jeffersontown, KY – Hundreds of Kentuckians, including over 200 children and youth, from across the Commonwealth are convening in Frankfort today for the 12th annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. They are urging elected leaders to support the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children, a common agenda for child advocates across the state.

“Given that we have a new Administration and interesting political dynamics at play, we know how important it is to ensure elected leaders remember the needs of children throughout the 2016 Kentucky General Assembly. Children not only impact Kentucky today, but they are the future generation of leaders. We need to create a better Kentucky for these young people,” said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.

Advocates joined President Stivers, Speaker Stumbo, Secretary Tilley and several other legislators and state officials at a rally for children at 10am, which included performances by several groups of children and youth.

The following legislators and officials were honored with 2016 Champion for Children awards:

  • Senator Julie Raque Adams
  • Representative Linda Belcher
  • Senator Danny Carroll
  • Representative Derrick Graham
  • Representative Joni Jenkins
  • Representative Sannie Overly 
  • Representative Rita Smart
  • Senate President Robert Stivers
  • Secretary John Tilley
  • Senator Whitney Westerfield

In addition to the rally, advocates are meeting with legislators throughout the day and celebrating 25 years of Kentucky KIDS COUNT with a reception for legislators and state officials held at 1pm. Several groups of youth met with key leaders throughout the day including Senate President Robert Stivers, Attorney General Andy Beshear, Representative Darryl Owens and others.

“We hope the youth in attendance today are inspired to make their voices heard to elected leaders on issues that impact them and their families. We are grateful so many legislators and officials took time to meet with youth today.”

Advocates are pushing for several policies on the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children agenda ranging from protecting children from abuse and neglect, ensuring age appropriate responses for youth who make mistakes, and helping working parents provide for their children.

“Children’s Advocacy Day is an extension of what we know child advocates do on a daily basis – ask their elected leaders to stand up for kids. Kids don’t often have a voice in decisions made that impact them, so we ask legislators to support policies that are good for kids and improve policies that aren’t good for kids. It’s pretty simple and straightforward,” said Brooks.

Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol is made possible with the support of several sponsors and Blueprint partners. For more information, visithttps://kyyouth.org/childrens-advocacy-day-at-the-capitol/.

For more information about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children visithttp://www.blueprintky.org.

For questions about Children’s Advocacy Day or to schedule an interview, please contact Andrea Bennett at abennett@kyyouth.org or 502-381-1176.