Advocacy
2026 Minnesota State Legislative Session
The Minnesota 2026 Legislative Session will run from February 17, 2026, to May 18, 2026.
Updated information, including information on the bills we are watching this session will be posted here as it becomes available throughout the session.
What Can You Do in Minnesota?
There are multiple ways to get involved in the legislative process all year round. Whether you are a person with a disability, a loved one, someone who works in disability services, or a caring member of the community, below are ways to take your advocacy to the next step!
Special Events
Rise annually hosts opportunities for people we serve and their families to stay informed about the current legislative session.
- Legislative update sessions are often hosted by Rise President & CEO Tim Dickie at various Rise office locations to help keep families, people served, and our supporters informed.
Become an Advocacy Volunteer
We are always looking for volunteers who are interested in advocating on behalf of the people we serve. Advocacy volunteers can take on a variety of roles and time commitments can be as much or as little as you’d like. For more information about becoming an advocacy volunteer, contact volunteer@rise.org
Learn More about Self-Advocacy
2026 ADVOCACY
The 2026 legislative session began on February 17, and there are ways you can be an advocate and get involved.
Rise is proud to work alongside MOHR, our state provider association. They have resources available as you plan your visit with legislators.
View MOHR's advocacy information and legislative priorities.
IPS Programs
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based employment program that helps people with serious mental illness find and keep competitive, integrated jobs in the community.
Employment is part of recovery. With IPS, people do not have to wait to "get better" before working—they receive support right away.
Why IPS matters:
- 60% of people with mental illness want to work, yet fewer than 2% nationwide have access to IPS services.
- In Minnesota, only 17 IPS programs serve 38 counties, leaving fewer than half of counties with any access.
- Each year, about 1,000 Minnesotans receive IPS services, but one‑third of current funding is temporary and set to expire.
- Without additional funding, Minnesota will be unable to maintain current service levels in the coming years—meaning fewer people will get help finding and keeping jobs.
IPS programs are in jeopardy this session:
There are 17 projects in Minnesota serving 38 Minnesota counties: fewer than half the counties have access to these services at all.
In the United States, 60% of people with mental illness want to work, but less than 2% have access to IPS. The primary barrier is lack of adequate funding.
Expiration of Temporary Funding: One-time funding approved in 2023 will run out after 2026, creating another funding crisis. And without new funding, even more people will lose access to services. Without additional funding in 2028-2029, Minnesota will not be able to maintain current service levels, meaning fewer people will get help finding and keeping jobs.
Step 1
Know Your Legislators
Do you know who your Minnesota legislators are that represent you? This is important because these are the people who directly impact you and your community, so they are the best ones to contact about issues that matter to you! Click the below links to learn more!
Sign Up for Legislative Updates
Make sure you know who represents you. These are the people who will be voting on the legislation that affects you and your community, which means they are the best people to contact about the issues that matter to you!
Step 2
Email, Call or Write Your Legislators
Contact your legislators to let them know what is important to you. Maybe you care most about day services, job placement, life enrichment services, or welfare-tow-work programs -- whatever services have had an impact on you, let your legislators know how they have made a difference in your life. If you aren’t sure what to say, we often provide useful letter examples advocating for disability services issues that come up during each session. They will be posted on this page.
Step 3
Write a Letter to the Editor
Writing a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper can be a great way to get the rest of your community involved in an issue. You can use the template below to help you if you aren’t sure how to write one. Remember, letters to the editor are best when you personalize it as much as you are comfortable with, by making it clear why this issue matters to you. Try to keep them to no more than about 175 words in length.
Read the article Tracy Bird, who is served at Rise Spring Lake Park, submitted to Access Press and had published in June 2019. She discussed the importance of staying in touch with your state representatives and having your voice heard. It's a great example from someone who is speaking from her heart about her own personal experiences.
2026 Wisconsin State Legislative Session
The Wisconsin 2026 Legislative Session officially started on Tuesday, January 13, and will adjourn on Thursday, March 19.
Updated information will be posted here as it becomes available throughout the session.
Become an Advocacy Volunteer
We are always looking for volunteers who are interested in advocating on behalf of the people we serve. Advocacy volunteers can take on a variety of roles and time commitments can be as much or as little as you’d like. For more information about becoming an advocacy volunteer, contact volunteer@rise.org
Learn More about Self-Advocacy
What Can You Do in Wisconsin?
There are multiple ways to get involved in the legislative process all year round. Whether you are a person with a disability, a loved one, someone who works in disability services, or a caring member of the community, below are ways to take your advocacy to the next step!
Step 1
Know Your Legislators
Do you know who your Wisconsin legislators are that represent you? This is important because these are the people who directly impact you and your community, so they are the best ones to contact about issues that matter to you! Click the below links to learn more.
Sign Up for Legislative Updates
Make sure you know who represents you. These are the people who will be voting on the legislation that affects you and your community, which means they are the best people to contact about the issues that matter to you!
Step 2
Email, Call or Write Your Legislators
Contact your legislators to let them know what is important to you. Maybe you care most about day services, job placement, or life enrichment services, -- whatever services have had an impact on you, let your legislators know how they have made a difference in your life. If you aren’t sure what to say, you can look at the sample letters we have drafted here.
Step 3
Write a Letter to the Editor
Writing a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper can be a great way to get the rest of your community involved in an issue. You can use the template below to help you if you aren’t sure how to write one. Remember, letters to the editor are best when you personalize it as much as you are comfortable with, by making it clear why this issue matters to you. Try to keep them to no more than about 175 words in length.
Read the article Tracy Bird, who is served at Rise Spring Lake Park, submitted to Access Press and had published in June 2019. She discussed the importance of staying in touch with your state representatives and having your voice heard. It's a great example from someone who is speaking from her heart about her own personal experiences.