ProAct Inc., a leading provider of person-centered services for individuals with disabilities, announced the opening of its brand new Autism Center in Eagan, which has come to be known as the Oasis. ProAct’s Autism Center is accessible and designed to accommodate the needs and wants of individuals on the Autism spectrum and those with sensory needs. 

For over 50 years, ProAct has been serving people with disabilities and looking for new and innovative ways to provide accessible recreation and enrichment opportunities for participants. During discussions on ways to expand available services, ProAct wanted to ensure they were meeting the needs of the growing number of participants and referrals who are on the Autism spectrum or have specialized sensory needs. To meet this growing demand, ProAct teamed up with the Autism Society to design a location, activities, and to receive advanced training. 

On June 28, to celebrate this new addition of services, ProAct opened its doors in Eagan to invite guests to come meet with staff, participants, family members, and fellow advocates for people with disabilities. 

“When we were first discussing expanding specialized services, 66 percent of our referrals were coming from individuals diagnosed somewhere on the Autism spectrum, and we knew that number was going to increase as we learn more and more about Autism.” said Stephanie Osman, Senior Program Manager of Day Support Services at ProAct’s Eagan and Hudson sites. “ The biggest strength of the center is there are so many choices available with all different sensory needs being met like tactile, sight, sound, and even smell. There is that choice so you can customize to what each participant needs.”

ProAct has three Minnesota locations in Eagan, Red Wing, and Shakopee with a fourth location in Hudson, WI that provide day support services, employment services, production services, and individualized home support services to help participants with a wide variety of disabilities, their families, and their communities.