Advocate
Your Voice Matters
Your voice is powerful. When you use it to advocate on behalf of policies and funding priorities that support our work, you can help ensure that people experiencing mental illness and homelessness have access to housing, employment, and care they need.
Advocacy 101: Get Started Today
Review our Advocacy 101 blog for specific, practical ways to get started working with your legislators, including guidance on calls, emails, and attending Days on the Hill.
Advocacy 101Connect with Decision Makers
Get involved in your local advisory councils and reach out directly to your state and federal representatives to advocate for necessary funding and policy change.
Local State & FederalThe Mental Health Legislative Network
Guild is a proud member of the Mental Health Legislative Network (MHLN): a broad coalition that advocates for a statewide mental health system that is of high quality, accessible, and has stable funding. The organizations in the MHLN all work together to create visibility on mental health issues, act as a clearinghouse on public policy issues, and pool our knowledge, resources, and strengths to create change.
Advocate for Proven Supportive Programs in Minnesota
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. Learn more about how to get involved and sign up for our email list to stay up to date as we head into the legislative session.
The 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session began on February 17, 2026. This year will look a little different than last. The 2026 session is expected to be shorter and focus on bonding and infrastructure, with fewer major policy changes.
Our Advocacy Priorities
We are currently asking legislators to invest in these critically important services.
Sustain the Gain: Supportive Housing & Homelessness Services
Due to federal priority shifts and changes to state funding, we must protect the progress we’ve made. Sustain the Gain is a priority of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, addressing the urgent need for permanent investment in housing. Guild is a member of the coalition.
On March 27th, 2026, HF 3425 passed and was signed into law! This is thanks to the tireless work of advocates. Thank you to everyone who raised their voice in support of supportive housing. There is still work to do.
Join us in advocating for a funding bridge to help keep programs operating through next year’s legislative session.
Supportive housing is the backbone of stability for those with the highest needs. This funding doesn’t just provide roofs; it safeguards the entire emergency response, outreach, and data systems that keep our communities functioning. No single county or provider can do this alone.
Support Continued Funding for Employment Services (IPS)
Employment is a cornerstone of recovery. Each year, about 1,000 Minnesotans receive Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services — a model proven to be more effective than traditional vocational programs. One-third of these services are currently funded with one-time dollars from 2025.
This temporary funding will soon run out. We need permanent investment to ensure Minnesotans with mental illness can continue to find and keep competitive jobs.
Protect Access to Medicaid
Additional information and legislative talking points to come. Stay tuned!
Preserve Services as Fraud Issues Are Addressed
Additional information and legislative talking points to come. Stay tuned!
Maintain Critical Behavioral Health Grant Funding
Additional information and legislative talking points to come. Stay tuned!
Contact your legislators today and let them know that Minnesotans want to invest in Supportive Housing and Employment Services (IPS). These programs are proven to be cost-effective, and more importantly, the most effective for the people they serve.