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About MICC

Our vision is a world where autistic and neurodivergent adults thrive, are accepted and valued.

Since 1996, MICC has provided transformative education and training for autistic and neurodivergent adults to live independently, work purposefully and thrive in community. From our home in Richfield, MN, MICC has cultivated a broad network of public and private partnerships to ensure accessibility to our programs and opportunities for MICC participants across Minnesota and nationwide.

Within our innovative framework of hands-on, skills-based learning and caring guidance, MICC participants accomplish things they never imagined, from performing daily living tasks and building self-sufficiency to developing and sustaining a career, support system and lifelong relationships. Within the safety and freedom of our inclusive community, MICC participants begin to see themselves in a new light, gaining the confidence they need to build the lives they want to live.

MICC Delivers That Missing Link

Hear from MICC participants about why their diagnosis doesn’t keep them from learning, working and living the lives they want to live.

History of MICC

From the vision of one mother to providing transformational education and training to hundreds of participants annually.

MICC exists because of the vision of one smart mother, Beverly Hatlen. When she enrolled her son in a private high school designed for students with learning differences, she wondered what would be next for him.

Beverly began to research, and she discovered that not only did post-high-school programs for autistic adults not exist, but the need for such a program wasn’t even a blip on the radar. The prevailing wisdom was that learning differences would naturally diminish after high school. Beverly didn’t buy it! In 1990, she enrolled in the Master of Public Health graduate program at the University of Minnesota, and through her work there, developed a highly successful pilot program.

Beverly and her husband Roe opened what would become MICC in 1996 with 13 students and a revolutionary college-like program to teach life and career skills while building confidence to live independently, work purposefully and thrive in community.

Our Mission & Truths

Our mission, vision and truths are the foundation of MICC. They drive everything we do, from the staff we hire and the organizations we partner with to the goals we set and the programs we develop.

OUR MISSION: We see and honor the personhood and autonomy of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. We work every day to educate and guide MICC participants in creating and sustaining the lives they want to live.

Everyone is different.

People experience growth when they are offered tailored, individualized programs, because no two people have the exact same needs.

People learn best by doing.

Academic instruction is not enough. Active, skills-based learning on campus, on-the-job and within the community is proven to deliver stronger, more sustainable outcomes.

Employment leads to independence.

The ability to get and keep a job is one of the single most important factors to living independently.

Continual engagement helps navigate life's ups and downs.

Like everyone, autistic and neurodivergent adults face challenges throughout their lifetime and may need access to a variety of services to help them continue to live fulfilling independent lives.

Social beings need a social life.

People gain self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem when they experience acceptance, meaningful friendships and true belonging.

Meet the Team

Our staff are caring, knowledgeable experts who are invested in MICC participants and their independence, career and social success.

MICC’s staff of educators, leaders, advisors, job developers, activities coordinators and administrators are driven to achieve MICC’s vision of a world where autistic and neurodivergent adults thrive, are accepted and valued. They are experienced, highly creative professionals who are dedicated to helping participants discover their passion and purpose while also celebrating their joys and successes.