Advocacy
1. Being an advocate can be done in many ways. Caring for your children is one. However, if you want to be more involved and advocate for change, you can begin by being a registered voter. Know your state Senator and Representative and reach out to them on the issues that are important to you. You can also join a local support group and see what you can do together as state legislators are open to visiting local groups. You can also reach out to other advocacy groups in your community or state, such as the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky at kinshipky.org.
You can find your legislators at: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/findyourlegislator/findyourlegislator.html or https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. You need to know who represents you at all levels: your state House Representative, State Senator, Congressional Representative and U.S. Senator. Remember that they represent you and your community. You may not agree with everything, but you get to vote for who speaks for you.
2. Connect with Legislators: Once you know who your legislators are you should connect with them. Determine what works best for you and them ahead of time. If you write or email and the correspondence is too long, they probably won’t read it. Always tell your story, but keep it short, simple and focused. If you meet in person or talk via phone, think ahead of time about what you will say so that you will remain focused despite any emotion you may feel regarding your story.
a. Phone Calls: Try calling your legislator’s district office. If you do not speak with the legislator, ask the name of the person with whom you are speaking. Leave a message with your phone number if you do not speak with someone directly. In your phone conversation, be sure to say where you live and why the issue is important to you. If you are calling about a specific bill, state the name and number, if known. Keep your call focused and pick a few talking points to focus on. Ask the legislator’s position on the issue. Thank the legislator or aide for his or her time.
b. Writing (Letter or Email): Be very specific about why you are writing. Make the subject line count. Keep the correspondence brief and to the point. Write in a way that educates without a threatening or condescending tone. Follow up after your legislator votes and let him or her know that you agree or disagree and why. For letters, you should use your own stationery or colored paper. Avoid form letters or mass mailings. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number. For letters or emails, avoid abbreviations or symbols that might be confusing. If you don’t know something they ask (detailed research information, for example), say so and follow-up later.
c. Don’t Give Up: Sometimes it takes several contacts to be heard, just don’t give up. Persistence is the key to making change. If you aren’t sure and want to learn more, you can go to https://kinshipky.org/ways-to-act/ for more tips and information.