CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. -- A new campaign in the Capital Region is aimed at keeping kids in the forefront of this year's election with events taking place in every state in the nation, as well as Washington, D.C.

The Step Up For Kids initiative is calling on New York and national political candidates to consider children's needs in their platforms. Children, parents, grandparents and advocates gathered on the steps of the Capitol to get politicians to listen.

“We have to make sure that they have everything that they need whatever that means,” said parent Dally Sanchez. “As has been said here eloquently by many different people, our nation doesn't have a future if we don't take care of our kids.”

Some of the bigger issues the group wants political leaders to address include early childhood education, children's health programs and child abuse prevention programs.