ACES Center for School Safety & Wellness

Empowering Connecticut School Districts with Real-World Safety, Security, and Wellness Support

Overview

ACES Center for School Safety & Wellness is a specialized resource for Connecticut school districts, focused on strengthening safety, security, and emergency preparedness through practical training, on-site support, and ongoing advisory services.

Led by a career law enforcement professional and former School Resource Officer, now ACES’ Director of Security & Emergency Preparedness, the Center brings together real-world public safety experience and a deep understanding of school operations. Our goal is simple: help schools feel safer, more prepared, and better supported—every day, not just during a crisis.

What We Do

 ACES Center for School Safety & Wellness provides both in-person and virtual workshops designed to help schools build a culture of: 

  • SAFETY - Clear procedures, secure environments, and visible, supportive security practices.
  • PREPAREDNESS - Staff and leaders who know what to do, who to call, and how to respond.
  • RESILIENCE -  School communities that can recover, learn, and grow after difficult events.

Through expert-led training and advisory, we help:

  • Frontline staff and faculty gain the skills and confidence to respond to emergencies.
  • School and district leaders strengthen emergency operations plans, communication protocols, and coordination with police, fire, EMS, and community partners.
  • Security staff and SSOs develop consistent, student-centered safety practices.

Training & Support Topics

Our training and consulting can be customized, and may include:

  • Emergency preparedness & all-hazards planning
  • Lockdown, evacuation, and reunification planning and exercises
  • Threat recognition, de-escalation, and conflict resolution
  • Working safely and effectively with students with disabilities
  • Trauma-informed practices and mental health awareness
  • Safe arrival/dismissal, visitor management, and campus security
  • Role clarity and expectations for School Security Officers (SSOs)

Safety is not a one-time event. We work with schools to ensure that procedures, drills, and mindset are integrated into the everyday fabric of the school community.

Team Heidi – Safety, Support, and Connection

A unique component of ACES’ approach is Team Heidi — a safety and wellness initiative that pairs security expertise with relational, climate-building support.

  • Positive, proactive security presence on campus
  • Support for school climate, connection, and trust-building
  • A visible bridge between safety, mental health, and student well-being

Team Heidi helps ensure that safety is not just about response—but also about relationships, trust, and prevention.

Why ACES Center for School Safety & Wellness

What makes the Center different is who’s leading the work. Our safety and security services are:

  • Grounded in law enforcement and emergency management experience
  • Informed by years of working inside schools
  • Focused on collaboration with administrators, nurses, mental health staff, and facilities teams

We understand that every district, campus, and program is different. Our work is collaborative, realistic, and tailored—not one-size-fits-all.

Contact Us

Key Contact Information

Director, Security & Emergency Preparedness:
Anthony Gennaro
Email: AGennaro@aces.org / safety@aces.org

Office Number:
203-498-6804

Mobile Number:
203-864-2882

Administrative Support / Scheduling: 
Evelyn Lopez Ferro
Email: ELopezFerro@aces.org