I recently joined Republican and Democratic state lawmakers from 15 states, at a Future Caucus roundtable in Bentonville, Arkansas. The roundtable brought together state legislators and some of Arkansas’ best advocates for early childhood policy. The goal: to build bridges between advocates and legislators and explore new ways to advance prenatal-to-three (PN-3) policies that strengthen families and communities.
Future Caucus kicks off a dynamic session focused on innovation, civic engagement, and bridging political divides. Photo Credit: Future Caucus.
For those unfamiliar, Future Caucus is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps bridge our nation’s political divide by empowering the next generation of leaders. Since 2013, Future Caucus has served more than 1,900 Gen Z and millennial legislators across the country, activating young leaders to collaborate across party lines and transform how American politics gets done. Over the past decade, hundreds of lawmakers have joined to transcend polarization, share policy ideas, and gain insight from national experts dedicated to building a better future. In 2025, Future Caucus kicked off its first class of Prenatal-to-Three Innovation Fellows.
The conversation in Bentonville was candid, inspiring, and humbling. At the end of the session, advocates asked lawmakers to give us unfiltered advice on how we could do our jobs better. Many of us thought we were already doing these things, but their responses reminded us how much room there is to grow.
Here are my top seven takeaways from that conversation. These lessons can help every PN-3 advocate build stronger, more productive relationships with policymakers.
Leaders and advocates engage in a thoughtful discussion during the Future Caucus roundtable, sharing ideas on policy and collaboration. Photo Credit: Future Caucus.
- Speak with one voice.
Lawmakers emphasized how confusing it can be when advocacy organizations working on similar issues deliver mixed messages. Rather than bringing a long list of requests to legislators, coordinate with peer organizations and find common ground. A united front carries more weight than competing wish lists.
- Lead with real stories, not just talking points.
Data matters, but stories make change. Lawmakers told us they remember personal stories long after the charts fade. Elevate real people and communities in your storytelling, and make sure lawmakers see the human faces behind your policy priorities.
- Start conversations early (as in, well before the legislative crunch).
Don’t wait until the last days of session to make your case. Begin educating lawmakers months ahead so they have time to understand your issues and connect emotionally and intellectually before voting begins.
Lori Fresina, alongside others, discusses emerging policy priorities and the power of cross-generational leadership at the Future Caucus event. Photo Credit: Future Caucus.
- Be generous with your expertise.
Offer yourself (and your organization) as a trusted resource; share data, provide talking points, messaging tools, and even invite lawmakers to speak at events or contribute quotes. Many legislators told us they don’t always know what advocacy organizations can offer or how to access those resources. We can fix that.
- Build relationships, not transactions.
It’s easy to get tunnel vision about a specific bill or vote, but long-term success depends on relationships. Make time to listen and learn what drives lawmakers – their passions, pressures, and goals. A whole child/whole family agenda is rooted in human experiences. When we connect as people first, advocacy becomes collaboration, not confrontation.
- Create space for candid, bipartisan dialogue.
The lawmakers who join the Future Caucus are signaling their commitment to working across political and ideological divides. Seek out those who want to bridge differences and give them opportunities to build their leadership brand around issues that unite rather than divide. They’re the future of policymaking; let’s show up for them.
- Model trust and clarity in every interaction.
Whether you’re hosting a roundtable or planning a campaign, know your goals and be transparent about them. At NCIT, our goals for this partnership were clear: elevate PN-3 advocates, connect them with policymakers, and model trust through open conversation. Clarity builds credibility, and that’s how we earn a seat at the table.
Participants exchange perspectives on strengthening bipartisan solutions as part of the Future Caucus conversation. Photo Credit: Future Caucus.
For advocates working on PN-3 policy, these lessons are especially critical. We may not have the political influence of large interest groups, but we have something powerful: authentic community voices, lived experience, and the ability to bring people together for solutions that work.
Partnerships like the one between NCIT and Future Caucus remind us that progress begins with listening, trust, and shared purpose. These young lawmakers are the next generation of leaders, and together, we can ensure every child and family has the opportunity to thrive.
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Lori Fresina is the national vice president and executive director of Voices for Healthy Kids at the American Heart Association, which powers the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT). A co-creator of the Power Prism® advocacy framework, she has spent her career advancing policies that make communities healthier and more just.
