Local Advisory Council

What Is a Local Mental Health Advisory Council (LAC)?

The Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) Local Mental Health Advisory Council (LAC) provides individuals, family members, and service providers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on mental health services in their community.

HVMHC’s LAC serves community members from Fillmore, Houston, Winona, and Wabasha counties in southeastern Minnesota. The council brings together people with lived experience of mental health challenges, family members, providers, and community partners to share perspectives on what is working well and where improvements are needed within the local mental health system.

Local Advisory Councils play an important role in ensuring that county and community leaders hear directly from those most affected by mental health policies and services. Through open discussion and shared experiences, the HVMHC LAC helps inform recommendations that strengthen and improve mental health supports across our region.

Get Involved — Join the Local Advisory Council

HVMHC is currently seeking individuals who are interested in serving on the Local Mental Health Advisory Council. We welcome participation from people with lived experience, family members, caregivers, providers, and community members who are passionate about improving mental health services in Fillmore, Houston, Winona, and Wabasha counties.

Local Advisory Council meeting requirements include quarterly meetings. The council may choose to meet more frequently, and an executive committee may meet in addition to full council meetings. Meeting schedules, structure, and roles will be determined by the council once membership is finalized.

Meeting dates and times for 2026 will be decided after council members are selected.

Apply to Serve on the LAC

Applications to join the HVMHC Local Mental Health Advisory Council are now being accepted through February 28, 2026.

Interested individuals are encouraged to download and complete the LAC application and submit it via email to info@HVMHC.org.

Informational Meeting – Thursday February 5, 2026

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) will host a Local Advisory Council (LAC) Informational Meeting on Thursday, February 5, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at its Winona Clinic, located at 420 E. Sarnia Street, Winona, MN. A virtual attendance option will be available via Microsoft Teams.

Join the Meeting Virtually: Join the meeting now