By: Andrew Alvey, Policy & Advocacy Analyst

Each year, young people from across Kentucky travel to Frankfort for Children’s Advocacy Day, an opportunity to meet with lawmakers and advocate for policies that improve the lives of children and families across the Commonwealth. For members of the True Up Peer Network, this year’s experience began the night before with an overnight youth retreat focused on preparing youth to share their stories and perspectives with policymakers.

During the retreat, youth participated in a storytelling training designed to help them translate their lived experiences into meaningful advocacy. They also took part in a mock committee activity, where they were able to craft testimony and present it before a committee panel of their peers and community leaders. This gave youth the opportunity to practice speaking about policy issues that matter to them before heading to the Capitol the next day.

As one Peer Network member shared:

“Children’s Advocacy Day for me hit home. It was a proud experience that I had the joy, honor and privilege of doing with some of my favorite people. Navigating this CAD as a team with its differences meant a lot to me and stuck with me. Symbolizing to me that we can do and get through everything. A nice home away from home in Frankfort. There are many opportunities to bond as people and as advocates. It is moving and puts me at peace with my story. The mock committee session was particularly helpful for when we have it for real. It also gave a chance to feel like big boys and girls. Not everyone with our background gets the chance to speak with legislators.” – Kwanita Allen

Children’s Advocacy Day

The Peer Network began the day with the Town Hall on Kids, where they were able to hear directly from legislative leaders during a moderated discussion featuring Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens, House Speaker David Osborne, and Senate Minority Whip Cassie Chambers Armstrong.

This was followed by the Youth Rally where they and other youth groups were able to make their voices heard as well as participate in a question and answer session with Representative Rachel Roarx. Afterward, Peer Network members traveled into the Capitol Annex for Policy and Play, a new event for this year’s Children’s Advocacy Day that integrated KYA’s Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy priorities into fun interactive games played by advocates and legislators. 

Not ready to stop making a difference, members finished the day with a meeting with Representative Kim Holloway, where they discussed their experiences in and transitioning from the foster care system. During this conversation, members highlighted the importance of ensuring youth have state-issued identification while in care, the need to have access to their vital documents when leaving care, and the importance of better supporting kinship caregivers across the Commonwealth.

For members of the True Up Peer Network, Children’s Advocacy Day 2026 was not just a visit to the Capitol, but an opportunity to build community, strengthen their advocacy skills, and ensure that lived expert voices remain part of the conversations shaping Kentucky’s child welfare system. 

Advocacy does not end when Children’s Advocacy Day concludes. Advocates across the Commonwealth can continue making their voices heard throughout the legislative session by:

  • Using the Legislator Lookup tool to reach out to your elected officials and share why policies that support children, youth, and families matter to you.
  • Monitoring KYA’s General Assembly Bill Tracker for updates on important legislation impacting the Commonwealth’s youth.
  • Visiting kyyouth.org/advocacy for additional tips and resources on contacting your elected officials and getting involved in advocacy efforts