Tools For Life Partners Biographies

Steven Fiorito

Executive Director of Clinical Services

A co-founder of Tools For Life, Mr. Fiorito, CADC, MISA II, brings over 20 years of clinical experience and 15 years of clinical services administrative/management experience in various capacities and modalities of treatment to his role as Executive Director.

Mr. Fiorito’s leadership style is balanced by his passionate commitment to his work and his of sense of humor and enjoyment.

Mr. Fiorito has developed numerous programs for various agencies including: Sheridan Correctional Facility, intensive outpatient, family education, pilot state funded programs for adult male and female criminal justice clients and homeless males. This includes clinical programming, policies and procedures for staff and clients, assessment tools, job descriptions, fiscal management and monthly reporting.

Mr. Fiorito provides on-going educational training and workshops for professionals on Professional Ethics and Boundaries, Behavior Intervention Strategies and a variety of topics at state conferences and conventions.

Mr. Fiorito is currently developing a group-counseling workbook for counselors covering various topics such as Denial, Coping Skills and Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and an Anger Management daily meditation book. He is also in the process of creating a Relapse Potential Assessment and Corrective Action Plan.

Mr. Fiorito was selected to a statewide committee by The Illinois Department of Human Services to develop a best practices and policy and procedures manual for male substance abusers. As a result, he was selected as a member to the Illinois Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Executive Committee and is being considered to do the statewide training.

Mr. Fiorito attended Northeastern Illinois University, and is currently studying Holistic Health Science at Clayton College of Natural Health.

Shelley Simmons

Executive Director of Special Services

Ms. Simmons, BA, CADC, brings over 13 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations including addicted mothers of newborn babies within the DCFS system, domestic abuse victims, DUI offenders and incarcerated adolescent and young men age 16-28--in both residential and outpatient settings. Ms. Simmons holistic approach to education and treatment promotes a connection to life lessons and personal growth.

Prior to co-founding Tools For Life, Ms. Simmons was Operations Director for an outpatient practice, primarily focused on DUI assessment, education and treatment. While in this role, she gained extensive experience working in the court system as well as with the Secretary of the State of Illinois office in formal hearings involving DUI clients.

Ms. Simmons attended Texas Christian University and The College of DuPage’s addictions program. Ms. Simmons is currently studying Holistic Health Science at Clayton College of Natural Health.