News / Press

ACES Launches New Collaborative Preschool Autism Program at Perry Hill School in Shelton

(Hamden, CT – October 2, 2025)  Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is proud to announce the launch of ACES Perry Hill Nest (Nurturing Early Support and Transition) at Perry Hill School in Shelton. This regional preschool initiative delivers intensive, individualized early intervention for children with autism and related disabilities in a nurturing, language-rich environment.

After hearing from ACES' districts along the Naugatuck Valley, as well as Shelton, and meeting with those districts' Superintendents and Special Education Directors throughout last spring, we are excited to share that ACES is partnering to open a new collaborative preschool ABA program at Perry Hill School. The program will be fully staffed with ACES specialized professionals, including a full-time Speech and Language Pathologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and Special Education Teacher, to provide evidence-based, high-quality, and effective early intervention. Our team is committed to doing whatever it takes to meet each student’s individualized needs. This effort is being conducted in conjunction with Cooperative Educational Services (CES) in Trumbull, of which Shelton is a member district.

What sets ACES Perry Hill Nest apart is its collaborative, embedded model, placing a specialized early childhood program within a public elementary school. This collaborative opportunity offers students access to extensive resources while allowing them to remain connected to their own communities and hometowns. Our mission is centered on creating pathways that return students to the general education setting at an earlier stage, with the ultimate goal of ensuring lasting success.

“Our team is excited to partner with Shelton Public Schools to bring this innovative model to the community,” said Dr. Thomas M. Danehy, Executive Director of ACES. “ACES Perry Hill Nest represents the best of what early childhood intervention can offer; an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that gives every child a stronger start.”

To maximize developmental gains during this pivotal stage, the program features a full-time Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a certified special education teacher, a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and one-to-one Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) in each classroom. With small group sizes and both morning and afternoon sessions, ACES Perry Hill Nest provides a deeply personalized and supportive experience for students and their families.

Transportation is provided by Shelton Public Schools for local residents, and the program is also open to preschoolers from surrounding districts.

The successful launch of the ACES NEST program was made possible thanks to the collaborative leadership of Kevin Keating, Carrie Hartman, and Cindy Ratchelous, whose expertise and dedication were instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.

This program also reflects the growing regional collaboration among Valley school districts, including Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Naugatuck, who are working together to expand access to high-quality special education services and early intervention.

By embedding intensive services in a real-world learning environment and working closely with families and school staff, ACES Perry Hill Nest aims to build a strong foundation for each child’s transition to kindergarten and beyond.

For more information visit www.aces.org.  School system staff only can make a student referral by clicking here.

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About ACES:

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex and Fairfield Counties. ACES serves school districts through innovative programs and services that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. ACES operates magnet, special education, and alternative schools, as well as providing a wide range of educational services including professional development, transportation, translation, and adult vocational programs. Learn more at www.aces.org.