Advocacy Fellows

True Up Advocacy Fellows are young adults with lived experience in foster care who are working to improve systems and outcomes for youth across the Commonwealth. Through a yearlong cohort, Fellows build skills in advocacy, leadership, and communication while using their voices to shape policy and practice.

Who Are Advocacy Fellows?
Advocacy Fellows are young adults ages 18-26 with lived experience in Kentucky’s foster care system who are passionate about creating change. Fellows represent each of Kentucky’s federal congressional districts, bringing critical insight from every part of the Commonwealth about the policies and systems that have impacted their experiences.

What Do Fellows Gain?
Advocacy Fellows will gain the tools, opportunities, and support necessary to influence change in Kentucky’s foster care system.

Fellows participate in:

  • Monthly virtual cohort meetings and regular 1:1 support

  • In-person gatherings across Kentucky, including Louisville, Frankfort, and their home districts

  • Training in advocacy, leadership, storytelling, media engagement, and using data to drive change

  • Direct engagement with policymakers, including meetings with state and federal leaders

  • Hands-on advocacy opportunities, including public speaking, policy development, and strategic storytelling

  • Connection with a statewide network of peers and partners

To ensure Fellows can participate and are supported throughout their fellowship, True Up partners with a local organization in each district to provide community-based support and strengthen local connections.

True Up Impact

Advocacy at the Federal Level: Our previous Peer Network met with Kentucky’s federal delegation in Washington, DC, to discuss key issues impacting foster youth and young adults.

Youth-Led Research & Policy Change: Our youth-led report on residential facilities directly led to improvements in laws related to education accountability.

Foster Youth Housing Initiative: Advocated for emergency housing supports and systemic changes to improve housing stability for foster youth and young adults.