ACES ASSIST

🚨 GOLD ASSIST CERTIFICATION ALERT 🚨

Congratulations to Brooke Dorso, Training Specialist at Milestones Behavioral Services, on officially earning her Gold ASSIST Certification!

After successfully completing the Gold ASSIST course, Brooke led her first ASSIST training under observation, completing the final step in the certification process. She did an outstanding job facilitating today’s training alongside her colleague, Kelsey Slater, with oversight from the Lead ACES ASSIST Instructor, Jamie Shulick.

ACES ASSIST is proud to partner with Milestones Behavioral Services as they continue to expand their in-house training capacity and now have multiple Gold ASSIST Trainers supporting staff across their campuses.

Great work, Brooke! We look forward to seeing the positive impact you’ll continue to make through training, coaching, and supporting staff safety.

To learn more about our ACES ASSIST certifications, message us on Facebook or visit acesassist.com

May was a busy month for ACES ASSIST, with trainings delivered across multiple districts and programs throughout Connecticut.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with both new and returning partners and look forward to continuing the conversation around staff safety and crisis prevention.

Today we hosted an ACES ASSIST training with staff from the Middletown School District, along with team members from our internal ACES programs including Village School, Wintergreen, SAILS, and ACES staff working in Ansonia.

Throughout the day, participants reviewed proactive de-escalation strategies, staff stress-management techniques, and how to mentally and physically prepare ourselves before responding to a crisis situation. Prevention, readiness, and teamwork remain at the core of creating safer environments for both students and staff. 🙌

This Memorial Day, ACES honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We are grateful for their bravery and dedication, and we extend our appreciation to all military families, veterans, and service members within our ACES community. As we reflect today, we are reminded of the importance of service, compassion, and community.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

At ACES ASSIST, we believe the best crisis intervention starts long before a crisis occurs.

Our approach focuses on preventative practices, proactive strategies, relationship building, and early intervention techniques designed to reduce escalation before behaviors reach a critical point.

Sometimes the most effective support is not a physical intervention — it’s a pause. A calming presence. A moment to reset.

Heidi has become an important part of helping students regulate when emotions begin to rise. Through comfort, consistency, and connection, proactive supports like Heidi can help students feel safe, grounded, and ready to re-engage successfully.

Prevention First. Safety Always. 🐾
Visit acesassist.com for more information.
Visit Heidi on Instagram

More than training. More than prevention.
ACES ASSIST partners with you to provide consultation, debrief support, injury trend analysis, and proactive safety solutions that build stronger, safer workplaces. To learn more, message us on Facebook or visit acesassist.com.

This week, veteran Gold ASSIST Trainers supported and mentored Gold ASSIST trainer candidates as they participated in the rigorous Gold certification course and practiced teaching Physical ASSIST techniques.

Throughout the training, our veteran trainers provided instructional feedback, coaching, and guidance to help candidates strengthen their teaching skills, instructional consistency, and safe application of techniques.

We greatly appreciate the experience, professionalism, and expertise our veteran trainers bring to the ASSIST program, as well as the support they provide to the next generation of trainers.

From left to right:

🏅 Bryan Viger — Director of Security, Oxford Public Schools
🏅 Andrew Carr — Behavior Technician, Village School
🏅 Chris Baldwin — Behavior Technician, Village School
Brooke Dorso — Trainer Candidate, RBT at Milestones Behavioral Services
Krystal Turner — Trainer Candidate, BT at SAILS Program
Keith Pirraglia — Trainer Candidate, BCBA at Mill Road School
Mike Lynch — Trainer Candidate, BT at SAILS Program
Mike Karani — Trainer Candidate, BCBA at Mill Road School
🏅 Tom Cerny — BCBA at Whitney High North
🏅 Robert Pask — Behavior Technician at Mill Road School
🏅 Alex Jones — Behavior Technician at Whitney High North
🏅 Angela Limosani — BCBA at Village School
🏅 Jamie Shulick — Lead ASSIST Instructor, ACES ASSIST

Visit acesassist.com to learn more about our Gold Training Certification Program.

This week, ACES ASSIST had the opportunity to train staff from Naugatuck Public Schools, ACES Ansonia programs, and several internal ACES programs as part of our ongoing commitment to safe, supportive school environments.

Throughout the training, participants focused on preventative practices, de-escalation strategies, situational awareness, and safe defensive and protective techniques designed to help staff respond effectively while maintaining dignity and safety for everyone involved.

We appreciate the collaboration, engagement, and dedication shown by all staff throughout the week. Thank you for your commitment to creating safer learning environments for students and staff alike.

Prevention First. Safety Always.

🌟 ACES ASSIST Spotlight – Gold Trainer 🌟

Meet Kendall T. Fisher of ACES Whitney Academy in Hamden. Kendall has been a dedicated member of the ACES team for the past 5 years, spending 2.5 years providing coverage and support across ACES member districts and internal programs as a Float BT, followed by 2.5 years serving the Whitney Academy community as a Behavior Technician.

Kendall brings a diverse skill set to the Whitney Academy team and continues to make a positive impact through his commitment to student support, safety, and teamwork.

💬 “ACES ASSIST has helped in a major way by teaching research-based strategies on how to support my students day to day, both behaviorally and physically. These techniques have strengthened my ability and knowledge to de-escalate behaviors safely and effectively.”

We are proud to highlight Kendall’s dedication to creating safe, supportive learning environments and the consistency and professionalism he brings to ACES every day.

👏 Thank you, Kendall, for your hard work, positivity, and commitment to the students and staff you support!

We’re excited to connect with districts across Connecticut at the ACES Resource Fair on May 7.
Stop by to learn how ACES ASSIST is helping schools strengthen safety, reduce risk, and support staff.
We hope to see you there!