Ways to Help

Advocate

  • Advocacy trainings offered by KPFC:
    • School Advocacy: Understanding Special Education and 504
    • Advocating For Your Child: Advocacy skills that can be used in different environments
    • Collaborating with Challenging Partners
    • Leadership Academy (weekend training event)
  • Advocating in your community:
    • Start a parent support group so that parents can have a united voice for making changes in their communities
    • Volunteer to be a member of a committee in your community: Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, public library, PTO/PTA, School Based Decision Making Council at your child’s school, etc.
  • Advocacy days at the Capitol in Spring 2012:
    • Tuesday, January 31, 2012
    • Wednesday, February 29, 2012
    • Thursday, March 15, 2012

What to do while at the Capitol:

Your legislators have the responsibility to represent you and your interests at the state level. However, in order to represent you, they need to know your position on issues that matter to you and your family. Below is a list of tips on how to communicate effectively with your legislators:

  1. Make an appointment.
  2. Be on time for the visit.
  3. Be positive and friendly.
  4. Plan on what you are going to wear ahead of time and make sure you feel comfortable and confident.
  5. State the reason for your visit.
  6. Personalize the issue.
  7. Provide reliable information.
  8. Provide the names of people who can be resources and who can give additional information.
  9. If you say you will get back to them with more information, be sure to get back with them!
  10. Write a “thank you” letter!
  11. Remember…Change is made by those who show up or speak up!

If you would like additional information about advocating or speaking to your legislator; or would like to request a copy of the Arc of Kentucky’s Hot Tips for Advocate’ s guide, please feel free to give KPFC a call at 1‐800‐369‐0533 or e‐mail joy@kypartnership.net.

(Source: Arc of Kentucky’s Advocates in Action Guide)

Volunteer

Volunteering in the office:
Help staff prepare trainings, conferences, and events by making copies, binding books, organizing event items, answering the phones, volunteering to participate on a committee

Volunteering out of the office:

  • Host KPFC’s exhibit booth at a conference,
  • Work the registration table at a KPFC event or conference,
  • Sharing information sent from KPFC with your community partners and parent groups/leaders,
  • Talking to your legislators about changes you would like to see happen,
  • Meeting with community members to share what KPFC has to offer, and
  • Train community members on “Creating a Family-Driven and Youth-Guided System of Care”

KY Partnership for Families and Children, Inc | 600 Teton Trail | Frankfort, KY 40601 | (502) 875-1320 | Toll Free: (800) 369-0533

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