Guild 2025 Advocacy Toolkit

At Guild, advocacy is our North Star — the tool that will truly unlock our mission of helping our clients lead stable, fulfilling lives in their chosen community. Advocating for policy changes and investments is the path toward more equitably – and more successfully – supporting the clients and communities we serve.

We have seen real and meaningful progress in developing relationships with elected representatives and agency staff in working together to fix policy problems and fund urgently needed infrastructure. But complex systems, particularly mental health and housing systems, don’t change overnight. That’s why we need you – our dedicated supporters – to use your voices and your passions to advocate for meaningful change this legislative session.

We’ve compiled the following resources to help you find and use your voice during the 2025 legislative session, advancing our work and supporting our clients.

Write Them | Sample Letter or Email

We’ve outlined three priorities for the 2025 legislative session, which you can find more information about on our website. Below, we’ve drafted three sample letters based on these three priorities, which you can send to your reps via email or physical letter.

PRIORITY #1 — Sustain and Improve Access to Quality Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care

Dear Senator/Representative [NAME],

My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent in your district. I am writing to ask for your support in improving our mental health and housing support systems. Because right now, our mental health system is broken and we need your help.

[Insert your story or a specific example of what needs fixing or why this issue is so important to you. If you do not have a personal story you wish to share, you can include the following paragraph:]

Minnesota has significantly fewer behavioral health care providers per capita than the national average. This shortage is further exacerbated by unsustainable reimbursement rates for mental health providers, which leads to program closures and professionals leaving the field. Everyone is ultimately impacted by this lack of access, as untreated mental illness can lead to crises, homelessness and additional strain on families and public resources. We must act now to ensure access to care for all Minnesotans.

Specifically this session, we ask to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health and substance use disorder care. We also request providing recognition for providers serving a high proportion of Medicaid patients, scaling the DHS-recommended rate structure, increasing rates for protected transport, requiring Medicaid reimbursement for CoCM at sustainable rates, and requiring Medicaid coverage for First Episode of Psychosis care.

I am proud to support Guild, an exceptional organization serving thousands of clients every year across the Twin Cities. Together we’re doing our part, and I hope you will do yours by prioritizing mental health this legislative session and enacting the policy changes and investments we urgently need.

Thank you for your time.

[Your Name]

[Your Mailing Address]

PRIORITY #2 — Expand Supportive Housing for Individuals Living With Mental Illness

Dear Senator/Representative [NAME],

My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent in your district. I am writing to ask for your support in improving our mental health and housing support systems. Because right now, our mental health system is broken and we need your help.

[Insert your story or a specific example of what needs fixing or why this issue is so important to you. If you do not have a personal story you wish to share, you can include the following paragraph:]

Stable housing is a basic human right, and it is fundamental to recovery from mental illness, yet individuals with mental health challenges are disproportionately affected by homelessness and housing instability. The cost of chronic homelessness to taxpayers is substantial at more than $40,000 per person, which far exceeds the cost of providing supportive housing. Investing in housing with mental health supports not only improves lives but also reduces the financial burden on the public. Current funding for these programs is insufficient to meet the overwhelming need.

Specifically this session, we ask to prioritize sustainable, ongoing funding for supportive housing. We also ask to amend the Minnesota Human Rights Act to protect against housing discrimination based on income source, and to enact policies that facilitate the development of affordable housing.

I am proud to support Guild, an exceptional organization serving thousands of clients every year across the Twin Cities. Together we’re doing our part, and I hope you will do yours by prioritizing mental health this legislative session and enacting the policy changes and investments we urgently need.

Thank you for your time.

[Your Name]

[Your Mailing Address]

PRIORITY #3 — Invest in Employment Programs for People Living With Serious Mental Illness

Dear Senator/Representative [NAME],

My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent in your district. I am writing to ask for your support in improving our mental health and housing support systems. Because right now, our mental health system is broken and we need your help.

[Insert your story or a specific example of what needs fixing or why this issue is so important to you. If you do not have a personal story you wish to share, you can include the following paragraph:]

Employment is a crucial component of recovery and well-being for individuals living with mental illness. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model is an effective, evidence-based approach to supported employment. It significantly increases the likelihood of obtaining and retaining employment, boosts income and improves quality of life. However, funding for IPS programs is in jeopardy, and potential cuts could drastically reduce access to these vital services. Supporting IPS programs not only empowers individuals with mental illness but also strengthens our communities.

Specifically this session, we ask to increase base funding for the IPS program and identify a sustainable funding source to ensure its long-term viability and expansion.

I am proud to support Guild, an exceptional organization serving thousands of clients every year across the Twin Cities. Together we’re doing our part, and I hope you will do yours by prioritizing mental health this legislative session and enacting the policy changes and investments we urgently need.

Thank you for your time.

[Your Name]

[Your Mailing Address]

Call Them | Sample Phone Script

Below, we’ve drafted three sample phone scripts based on our three priorities for the 2025 legislative session.

PRIORITY #1 — Sustain and Improve Access to Quality Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care

Hello Senator/Representative [NAME],

My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent in your district, residing at [MAILING ADDRESS].

I am calling to ask for your support in improving our mental health and housing support systems. Because right now, our mental health system is broken and we need your help.

Specifically this session, we ask for your support to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health and substance use disorder care. We also request providing recognition for providers serving a high proportion of Medicaid patients, scaling the DHS-recommended rate structure, increasing rates for protected transport, requiring Medicaid reimbursement for CoCM at sustainable rates, and requiring Medicaid coverage for First Episode of Psychosis care.

Thank you for your time.

PRIORITY #2 — Expand Supportive Housing for Individuals Living With Mental Illness

Hello Senator/Representative [NAME],

My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent in your district, residing at [MAILING ADDRESS].

I am calling to ask for your support in improving our mental health and housing support systems. Because right now, our mental health system is broken and we need your help.

Specifically this session, I ask you to prioritize sustainable, ongoing funding for supportive housing. I also ask to amend the Minnesota Human Rights Act to protect against housing discrimination based on income source, and to enact policies that facilitate the development of affordable housing.

Thank you for your time.

PRIORITY #3 — Invest in Employment Programs for People Living With Serious Mental Illness

Hello Senator/Representative [NAME],

My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent in your district, residing at [MAILING ADDRESS].

I am calling to ask for your support in improving our mental health and housing support systems. Because right now, our mental health system is broken and we need your help.

Specifically this session, I ask you to increase base funding for the IPS program and identify a sustainable funding source to ensure its long-term viability and expansion.

Thank you for your time.

Ask Your Network To Join You | Social Media Posts & Graphics

Below, we’ve drafted a handful of sample social media posts and graphics based on our three priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Note that content may be pending in cases where specific bill numbers are referenced but not yet set.

POST #1 — General

I support Guild because their staff are experts in navigating complex safety-net systems in support of their clients. They also know that the systems intended to help can cause harm.

That’s why we’re all looking to this legislative session and our elected representatives to make progress fixing the broken mental health system. We start here:

– Sustaining and improving access to quality mental health and substance use disorder care

– Expanding supportive housing for individuals living with mental illness

– Investing in employment programs for people living with serious mental illness

Join me in advocating for systems change: Share this post! Contact your representative! And then join us at Guild’s upcoming lobby days. It’s all here: https://guildservices.org/get-involved/advocate