Fraser Child and Family Center history

Louise ignored their condemnation and by 1939, attendance was up to 15 students.

With the help of some parents, Louise raised money to purchase a former machine shop on 63rd and Penn in Richfield, which opened in the fall of 1949 as a 3-room school with an adjacent playground.

1955 – The Home Study School incorporated and created its first Board of Directors.

1960 – The Home Study School was expanded and remodeled.

1963 – After their granddaughter Vicky was born with Down syndrome, Minnesota senator and soon-to-be Vice President Hubert Humphrey and his wife, Muriel, enrolled her at the Home Study School.

1965 – The school was renamed the Louise Whitbeck Fraser School in honor of its founder.

1967 – A larger facility was built at 2400 West 64th Street in Richfield.

1971 – The building was expanded again.

Louise passed away in 1976 at the age of 81.

1977 – With the help of the Humphreys, the Muriel Humphrey Residences opened in Eden Prairie.

The Ministry of Health began funding (1987) to provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services and children from all over the Upper Fraser Valley began to access these services. It all started in October 1982 when a small group of concerned community members formed a non-profit society, the Upper Fraser Valley Neurological Society to bring services for children with special needs to the Fraser Valley.

1984 – The organization changed names again to become Louise Whitbeck Fraser Community Services, Inc.

The Ministry of Health began funding (1987) to provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services and children from all over the Upper Fraser Valley began to access these services.

1988 – The residential program added its first apartment complex for adults with special needs who can live more independently.

1990 – The nonprofit became a state-sanctioned provider of rehabilitation services.

1994 – The organization opened Fraser Minneapolis.

2001 – The nonprofit officially changed its name to Fraser.

2004 – A survey revealed children in Ramsey County needed more mental health support, so Fraser established a partnership with CAPRW Head Start in St Paul.

2006 – Fraser started providing mental health day treatment at some Minneapolis Public Schools and later expanded these services into other districts.

2012 – To support individuals with autism and other special needs, Fraser began offering Career Planning and Employment services.

2014 – Fraser Eden Prairie opened offering autism, mental health and pediatric therapy services.

2015 – Fraser opened two clinics: Fraser Bloomington and Fraser Eagan.

2017 – Fraser Coon Rapids opened, replacing the Fraser Anoka clinic.