September 2021
ProAct introduces new employment service: 'The Route'
Above, ProAct employment specialist Carole Gruenhagen assists participant Kassidy G. with one-to-one instruction, counseling and support through “The Route” program.
A good foundation and ample planning can make all the difference when searching for a job. ProAct is bringing these two elements together in a new service called “The Route.”

Designed for people with disabilities using waiver
services, The Route tackles the first two of four segments, Engage and Plan, as outlined by Minnesota’s E1MN. The state agency partnership advances Minnesota’s “Employment First” or E1 supports so people can understand their options and what they need to achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment.

Bryan is an individual ProAct served through The Route, and learned about the pride and sense of accomplishment experienced by people in the workforce, explains ProAct employment specialist Carole Gruenhagen. He also found out that having a job would allow him to purchase items that he may not be able to afford otherwise.
Learning, active, participating

“I like the work I do at ProAct, the staff and learning about hurricanes. I have even been doing exercises in my class, sitting down. I went to the movies with ProAct staff and my friends and that was fun. I really like it here!”
Janelle L., Shakopee participant
DSP Week - September 12-18
Direct support professionals (DSPs) are celebrated nationally during DSP Recognition Week, September 12 to 18. ProAct is grateful for staff contributions to positively impact individual lives and will honor and highlight their service this month.
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By the numbers
  • 761 people served in August
  • 13 people placed in jobs
  • 41,320 hours of service

National Night Out,
ProAct style!
ProAct’s annual National Night Out in early August hosted Eagan fire and rescue personnel in its parking lot.

Participants were invited to join the annual community awareness event. They toured the fire trucks and were able to meet with firefighters. ProAct treated everyone to popcorn following the event. -more-
Defining terms: CADI
Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) is a waiver that helps pay for services for individuals who meet specific criteria according to the Community Based Service Manual.
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Snack Attack expands, bringing skills and food focus to Eagan
The Snack Attack cart effort which began in Shakopee has expanded to Eagan. It helps ProAct participants build communication, general money handling and counting, safe product handling and inventory control skills while bringing participants snacks and beverages each day.

The carts are managed by ProAct staff, who identify groups of participants interested in building customer service and business skills while delivering treats to all classrooms. Each participant has an assigned time or “shift” when they volunteer and receives a treat for their help during the shift. -more-
Carnival fun, 4-H musical performances enthrall
Instructor and DSP Kathy Tesch led participants through a myriad of carnival games in Red Wing, above left, and participants earlier took in a musical performance by an area 4-H group, above right, that practiced for a county fair competition.
Muscular atrophy, indigenous people get committee focus
ProAct's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee focused on two efforts in August, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month and International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

Coming up this month:
CARF survey goes virtual, with good results
ProAct completed a two-day virtual Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) survey on August 3. Staff, participants, stakeholders and surveyors used Microsoft Teams technology to meet, exchange and share information, and review survey documentation.

Some meetings with stakeholders were also conducted over the phone. ProAct is pleased with the survey results and for the compliments and guidance they received from the peer surveyors.
On the radar: Give to the Max Day on November 18
The Give to the Max Day campaign to benefit ProAct is back in 2021, on November 19, so watch for updates.

But your assistance for ProAct's vital services need not wait until then. Supporters can click the donate now button on ProAct's website and contribute to specific efforts on a one time, monthly or annual basis. Thank you for your commitment to ProAct and the people we serve.
ProAct, Inc. | 651-686-0405 | proactinc.org