Breaking the Cycle: A Future of Possibility By: Tatum Abel Growing up in Kentucky's foster care system, I learned early on that safety was often something defined by a case file or a courtroom. As an alumna, my perspective on Child Abuse Prevention Month is [...]
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 [...]
Last month, the Trump administration released an Executive Order titled Fostering the Future for American Children and Families at a press conference with the President and First Lady, signaling that current foster youth and young people aging out of care are an important issue for the administration, and the First [...]
Youth aging out of foster care face countless challenges, from finding stable housing and employment to navigating health care and higher education on their own. Many leave care without the same supports and safety nets that their peers rely on, making the transition to adulthood especially difficult. One challenge that [...]
By: Crystal Willis, Youth Engagement Coordinator On May 15th, youth advocates and policymakers came together for an inspiring evening dedicated to strengthening advocacy skills and building bridges between residential leadership teams and state legislators. The event was designed with two primary goals: to empower residential leadership teams to effectively engage [...]
By: Tatum Abel, Peer Engagement Coordinator The foster care system is designed to protect children in vulnerable situations, offering them a haven when their biological families cannot safely provide care. However, data compiled by Kentucky Youth Advocates persistently shows that Black children are being removed from their homes more than [...]
By: Tatum Heath, Peer Engagement Coordinator As an advocate for youth’s rights and peer support for lived experts, I had the privilege of attending Children’s Advocacy Day in Frankfort, Kentucky, for the second time. Each year, the event provides a vital opportunity for individuals—especially those directly involved with children, families, [...]
By: Crystal Willis, Youth Engagement Program Manager From panels and retreats to trips to Kentucky Kingdom, 2024 has been a memorable year for True Up! We made impactful strides, not just in advocacy, but in building a more intentional and supportive peer network. By weaving in structural changes, we’ve been [...]
By: Crystal Willis Since 2011, True Up has been a beacon of support for young people in foster care across Kentucky. With a mission to help these youth transition from structured environments to self-sufficiency, True Up stands on several crucial pillars that guide its work and impact. Here's a closer [...]
By: Tatum Heath Growing up, my childhood was marked by experiences that left deep scars—neglect, instability, and abuse. These early adversities shaped my worldview and, at times, left me feeling like I was hopeless and stranded. But as I reflect on my journey, I’ve learned that there are ways to [...]
