District-based Collaborative Programs

ACES is committed to building the capacity of local school districts to serve student with disabilities in the “least restrictive environment” and increase their time spent with non-disabled peers. The result has been a cadre of successful programs that connect ACES specialists with district staff to serve students with disabilities in their local district. With programs in East Haven, Hamden, West Haven and Madison, this model is effectively leveraging some of the best practices in special education while helping districts meet their legal obligations of maximizing opportunities for students to learn alongside their non-disabled peers in their home districts. ACES also operates programs for students with extreme behavioral and psychological challenges.

Hospital of Saint Raphael relies on ACES to fill a critical gap in the hospital’s inpatient mental health services for school age children. The program keeps students in the care of the hospital’s Children’s Psychiatric Emergency Services (CPES) on pace academically, supporting the transition of the students in and out of the hospital setting by serving as a liaison between the family, school and CPES.

Programs in the New Haven Youth Detention Center and the SAGE Detention Center in Hamden deliver academic services to students who have been detained for juvenile offenses. Certified teachers conduct instruction in core subjects while students await adjudication. ACES notifies school districts of student placement, attendance and academic performance.

In-District Collaborative programs in East Haven, Hamden and West Haven High Schools provide educational services to students identified with intellectual and other disabilities. Daily programming includes academic, vocational and social skills instruction.