ACES Announces Acquisition of Ally Pediatric Therapy

Expanded ACES platform to serve Greater Phoenix area with highest quality applied behavior analysis (ABA) services

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACES, a leading clinically-driven autism therapy provider, today announced the acquisition of Ally Pediatric Therapy, a Phoenix-based provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech-language and occupational therapy services (physical health), from SBJ Capital. The partnership bolsters ACES's services in Arizona and enhances its mission to deliver high-quality, accessible autism services in the communities that need it most.

For more than three decades, ACES has provided individualized, evidence-based ABA therapy to autistic children and their families. Nationally recognized for its comprehensive care model, clinical rigor and strong caregiver involvement, ACES supports autistic clients across the full developmental spectrum through in-center, in-home and community services. Today, ACES provides services in more than 80 markets across eight states.

Ally Pediatric Therapy (Ally) has provided services to families in Phoenix since 2017 and is a partner of choice for Arizona payors. Ally teams are recognized for compassionate care, a multi-disciplinary approach, individualized therapy plans and a commitment to measurable progress in children's development.

“ACES is proud of our longstanding commitment to delivering the highest quality ABA services as the trusted provider, employer, and partner of choice for families, teams and payors. Ally shares our deep commitment to industry-leading clinical outcomes and individualized care,” said Lisa Dawe, CEO of ACES. “With Ally now a part of ACES, we will expand access to services while preserving the local relationships and high quality of care Phoenix families rely on.”

“We’re excited to join ACES and to continue to expand access to the best ABA services in Phoenix,” said Jamie Catlett, CEO of Ally. “We are confident that ACES is the right partner for Ally given our shared purpose, aligned clinical model, and collaborative cultures. We look forward to staying true to our founding principles as we serve more people together with the additional resources, enhanced clinical tools and support for teams and families that this partnership represents.”

ACES intends to fully integrate Ally into its existing center network under the ACES brand, with Ally’s clinical and operations leaders remaining with ACES to ensure all existing and interested families continue to receive high-quality care and outcomes. ACES also plans to add additional centers in Phoenix and to invest in team training and innovative tools to support clinicians and families in the Greater Phoenix area with enhanced care experiences and outcomes. Over the coming months, Ally’s physical health services will be replaced with external care coordination across specialties consistent with ACES process across all existing locations. This allows the combined company to focus on being the best in ABA.

Berkery Noyes served as financial advisor to Ally Pediatric Therapy and O'Melveny & Myers as legal counsel. Bass Berry & Sims served as legal counsel to ACES.

About ACES
ACES enhances lives and helps more people reach their potential through an innovative, client-centered clinical approach and evidence-based therapeutic methodologies. Founded in 1996 in California by Kristin Farmer – now ACES’ Chairwoman – ACES is one of the most tenured providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in the U.S. Nationally recognized for its comprehensive autism care model, clinical rigor, and strong caregiver involvement, ACES is the only provider in Aetna’s national Autism Institute of Quality and the only provider with three national payor Value Based Care agreements. ACES serves thousands of clients in more than 80 markets across eight states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Hawaii, Washington and North Carolina. www.acesaba.com

About Ally Pediatric Therapy
Ally Pediatric Therapy is a Phoenix-based provider of ABA and speech-language services focused on helping children with autism and related needs reach their full potential. Founded in 2017 with the goal to provide the best therapy to children and their families and become the clinic-based provider of choice, Ally operates ABA centers across Phoenix with a commitment to clinical excellence, collaboration, and care that is tailored to each child. https://allypediatric.com/

About SBJ Capital
SBJ Capital is a private investment firm with more than $700 million of capital under management, focused on investing in founder and family-owned consumer and services companies. SBJ provides thoughtful strategic advice, domain expertise and a partnership-oriented approach to support the goals of entrepreneurs, owners and management teams. SBJ was founded by an experienced team of professionals with a track record of growing companies both as principal investors and as operating executives. www.sbjcap.com