× Exit

Advocacy at MFS

Metropolitan Family Services provides and mobilizes for programming that strengthens families and communities. Our legislative agenda has been formulated with the input of community partners, staff, and program participants, with intent of advocating for solutions to build upon a strong human services sector and a comprehensive strategy to empower families to earn, learn, heal, and thrive.

Graduation cap icon

Education

Children and their guardians should have access to a strong early foundation, quality equitable educational supports, and other economic assistance needed to set children up for academic achievement and future success.

Arrow with money icon

Economic Stability

Individuals should be provided with the tools and training to earn a living wage that will support themselves and their families. Communities should have equitable access to stable housing, financial resources, and quality and nutritious food.

Heart icon

Emotional Wellness

All people should have access to wrap around mental health care and should be equipped with the tools needed to cope more effectively with stressors. Cost should not be a barrier to healing and achieving true mental and physical wellness.

Celebration circle icon

Empowerment

Families and communities thrive when individuals are assured their basic rights, understand how to navigate systems, and have access to equal justice. Communities are made whole when systemic issues that influence violence are addressed and injustices are remedied.

How you can advocate:

Sign up for our Monthly Advocacy Newsletter!

Each month, Metropolitan Family Services’ Government Affairs Team shares the ways Metropolitan Family Services is advocating for families as well as news, events, and resources for you and your community!

Sign up to receive our monthly Advocate Newsletter below:

Share your story!

Mpower your community by spreading the word about Metropolitan’s programs and services with your online networks and legislators!

2023 Legislative Wins

· $250M Increase for Early Childhood Programs.

This increase in funding will be used for Early Intervention Home Visiting programs, Early Education (ED) workforce building, the Child Care Assistance Program, the Early Childhood Block Grant, and more. This funding will both build the Early Education workforce and boost early childhood services and childcare.

· Amending the Illinois Works Job Program Act

MFS is a proud Illinois Works Pre- Apprenticeship Program Provider. This new law adds carrots and sticks for prospective state contractors to further employ apprentices and open more doors for MFS participants that have completed the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship program to enter full apprenticeship programs and begin their careers in construction and building trades.

· $10.8M Increase for Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) and Crisis Intervention (CI) Services.

MCR and CI services are often the first introduction people have with the mental health system. This increase in Medicaid reimbursement combats a historical under-investment in crisis services and seeks to encourage workforce retention and recruitment.

· Mental Health Equity Access and Prevention

Beginning January 1, 2025, private insurance must provide coverage for 2 annual mental health prevention and wellness visits for children and adults, regardless of diagnosis. This change will give more Illinoisans the ability to access mental health support services.

· Building a Crisis Continuum of Care

Transforming the Illinois behavioral health crisis response system to meet mental health needs and demands in Illinois will require long-term structural changes and investments. This initiative will be the first of many steps in working toward the goal of building a continuum of care that is well-funded, well-staffed, thoroughly integrated, and timely by creating a third-party task force to identify solutions to creating a 9-8-8 crisis response system that is responsive, well-staffed, and integrated.

· $5 Million for Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program & Expansion

The Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program received $5 million in funding for FY24. Beginning 2024, the program will additionally expand eligibility to additional behavioral health professionals to receive assistance and increase repayment assistance amounts for eligible professionals. This funding and expansion in eligibility seeks to address the behavioral health workforce shortage by increasing retention and recruitment.