Serving the community, achieving results.

Visitors are often surprised by the breadth of Fraser programs and the range of special needs served. Founded in 1935, the Fraser of today is a multi-faceted human service organization providing direct services, information and support in the areas of education, housing and healthcare.

Our remarkable results include:

  • children with autism learning to communicate.
  • children of all abilities learning and playing in an inclusive, quality child care setting.
  • children who have been abused or neglected receiving an opportunity to thrive.
  • preschoolers entering kindergarten ready to learn.
  • adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders learning to express feelings, develop social relationships and improve academic performance.
  • adults with Down syndrome living independently.
  • families receiving critical in-home care for loved ones with special needs.

Our expertise is vast — including mental health services, rehabilitation services, housing, education and child care. We believe that our founder, Louise Whitbeck Fraser, would be proud of all that the Fraser organization is doing today.

Pioneering Education for Children with Special Needs.

In the 1930s, what little progress had been made to support people with disabilities had come to a halt with the Great Depression. Resources to nurture children with special needs were scarce and many families reluctantly placed their children in institutions. The mother of a daughter with special needs, Mrs. Fraser struggled with the lack of options. Not willing to accept the status quo, she opened her own school for children with disabilities in 1935.

The first-of-its-kind school served seven children its inaugural year. With support from grateful parents, the school grew exponentially. Mrs. Fraser became a pioneer in special education, gaining national acclaim for her innovative teaching methods and the remarkable achievements of her students.

Today, Fraser School is an inclusive child care center serving more than 300 children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Our unique setting allows children of all abilities to learn, play and grow in a challenging, enlightening and motivating environment. Our Ready 4K curriculum helps children enter kindergarten ready to learn, putting them on the path to success.

Building on our history of innovative education for children of all abilities, in 2004, Fraser founded Fraser Academy, an elementary charter school. This public, K-5 program (a separate organization from Fraser) provides an inclusive environment with individualized learning programs to meet the unique needs of each student. The school boasts a year-round calendar and small class sizes.

Home is Where the Heart is.

In 1978, Fraser responded to community needs by offering residential services for adults with developmental disabilities in a group-home setting. Ten years later Fraser built its first apartment complex for adults with special needs who can live independently with minimal support. Fraser is the only organization in the Twin Cities to offer this type of apartment rental program and has received national recognition for its unique model.

Today, Fraser operates more than 25 homes and four apartment buildings. Both housing options meet the developmental, health, safety and social needs of the people living there, allowing each individual to enjoy the highest level of independence possible and to participate in the community.

Building Healthy Minds and Bodies.

In 1990, Fraser formalized its Rehabilitation Services and became a provider of rehabilitation services in the State of Minnesota. Fraser services feature comprehensive evaluation and therapy for children with motor and sensory dysfunction; feeding and swallowing difficulties; and speech, language and hearing disorders. We provide evaluation, consultation and treatment through physical, occupational, speech-language, music and feeding therapies. Fraser also offers unique therapies and programs designed especially for children with autism.

In 1994, Fraser opened Fraser Child & Family Center®, a specialized clinic providing mental health services for children, adolescents and families. This clinic provides state-of-the-art services for children and young adults who have autism spectrum disorders; mental health services for children who have severe emotional or behavioral disorders; and neuropsychology evaluations and referrals for children and young adults.

In 2006, Fraser expanded its Community Supports services. These specialized services are provided in the home or community and include: in-home waiver services, personal care assistant (PCA), home-based respite and flexible case management. Fraser Home & Community Supports has been recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services as a premier provider for children. The department used Fraser service plans to help develop high-quality programs in other organizations.

Committed to Innovation

After more than 70 years of providing community services, Fraser still upholds the innovative spirit of founder Louise Whitbeck Fraser. We strive to offer unique, state-of-the-art programming, training and consultation provided by caring and skilled staff.