One of the goals of our agency is also part of our North Star work - cultural competency. The purpose of cultural competency is to promote a respectful environment within the agency for all persons and increase our capacity to support our districts in developing their ongoing cultural competence. Many things have been accomplished: there have been Lunch & Learns, community events, diversity days at all regional offices, posters hung in the offices and a new DVD done in conjunction with Iowa Public Television and the Department of Education. To view a complete list of 2007-08 milestones, click here.
Many more things are being developed for 2008-09 with an emphasis on bringing in our school districts and more external partners. All PLLCs have been trained in the use of cultural competency resources to use with their districts and every office now has a mini cultural competency library.
Starting in the September Heartbeat, you will see a monthly column about cultural competence. We'll share how your peers are using cultural competence in their daily work. If you have a story you'd like to share about how you are using cultural competence in your work, please send it to Brenda Gustafson at bgustafson@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Friday, September 5, 2008
2008-09 Travel Memo
The travel memo found at the link below will outline updated travel procedures for the 2008-09 year.
2008-09 Heartland Travel Memo
2008-09 Heartland Travel Memo
Thursday, September 4, 2008
403(b) Webinar Now Available for Viewing
The Iowa Department of Administrative Services’ Retirement Investors Club recently held several live webinars that presented basic information about the changes in the 403(b) program that will take place January 1, 2009. Live webinars were held in each AEA office, and many staff members attended.
The webinar was recorded and is now available for you to view at your convenience by clicking here. The webinar is about 70 minutes in length. It is recommended that all staff members, whether or not you currently participate in the 403(b) program, view the webinar so you are informed about the upcoming changes.
In the unlikely event you have technical trouble with the webinar, please contact the Technology Support Department.
The webinar was recorded and is now available for you to view at your convenience by clicking here. The webinar is about 70 minutes in length. It is recommended that all staff members, whether or not you currently participate in the 403(b) program, view the webinar so you are informed about the upcoming changes.
In the unlikely event you have technical trouble with the webinar, please contact the Technology Support Department.
New Options for Flu Shots
Effective August 1, 2008, Wellmark has added two additional options for receiving your flu shot. As in the past, you and any covered members of your family may receive a flu shot from your Primary Care Physician (PCP), and it will be covered as any other routine/preventive service at 100%. The doctor does have the option of charging you for an office call so you may want check on that first.
This year you may also get a flu shot at a covered pharmacy. Prior to getting your flu shot, verify with the pharmacy that they employ a pharmacist certified to administer vaccines. Your cost for the flu shot at the pharmacy will be a $15 co-pay.
In addition to your PCP, a flu shot may be received from any other Blue Choice provider, however, first verify that they will administer the flu shot without completing a preventative/routine exam. Some providers will not provide a flu shot without having your medical history and a preventative/routine exam, which can only be completed by your PCP.
If you have any questions, contact Kathy Martin, benefits specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.
This year you may also get a flu shot at a covered pharmacy. Prior to getting your flu shot, verify with the pharmacy that they employ a pharmacist certified to administer vaccines. Your cost for the flu shot at the pharmacy will be a $15 co-pay.
In addition to your PCP, a flu shot may be received from any other Blue Choice provider, however, first verify that they will administer the flu shot without completing a preventative/routine exam. Some providers will not provide a flu shot without having your medical history and a preventative/routine exam, which can only be completed by your PCP.
If you have any questions, contact Kathy Martin, benefits specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Reminder: Situation Appraisal to Be Held Around Agency Web site
The Communications and Information Technology departments will be holding a situation appraisal around the Agency's Web site on Friday, September 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
A situation appraisal will help us identify the various issues or concerns we face in using the Web and will allow us to determine where we need to focus attention and/or take action.
We are in need of people to participate in the appraisal and are looking for a broad representation from across the Agency so we can get different perspectives. So those of you who have not had the opportunity to participate in a situation appraisal, now is your opportunity.
We are asking for volunteers to participate in the appraisal who:
• Are heavy users of the Web
• Have suggestions for improving the Web site
• Are interested in seeing this communication vehicle become more user-friendly
The meeting will be held in the Johnston office in Conference Rooms 3 & 4. If volunteers would like to participate through a Polycom, we will do our best to accommodate those requests. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Brenda Gustafson as soon as possible at bgustafson@aea11.k12.ia.us.
A situation appraisal will help us identify the various issues or concerns we face in using the Web and will allow us to determine where we need to focus attention and/or take action.
We are in need of people to participate in the appraisal and are looking for a broad representation from across the Agency so we can get different perspectives. So those of you who have not had the opportunity to participate in a situation appraisal, now is your opportunity.
We are asking for volunteers to participate in the appraisal who:
• Are heavy users of the Web
• Have suggestions for improving the Web site
• Are interested in seeing this communication vehicle become more user-friendly
The meeting will be held in the Johnston office in Conference Rooms 3 & 4. If volunteers would like to participate through a Polycom, we will do our best to accommodate those requests. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Brenda Gustafson as soon as possible at bgustafson@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Technology Update: Kerio DBT Distribution Lists Have Not Been Updated
The Building and District Based Team distribution lists in the Kerio public folders have not been updated with staffing changes for FY2009. Since the new PeopleBox online database will provide the capability of e-mailing directly from the database by early October, we are not planning to update the Kerio distribution lists. We are not removing them yet either, but we are recommending that if you need to use these lists, you should copy the ones you plan to use to your personal distribution list folder and update the lists before using them. You can verify or update your lists by doing a search in the online staff directory at http://staffdirectory.aea11.k12.ia.us/.
In the future, PeopleBox data will be dynamically generated from information pulled directly from the IFAS system and staff contracts. The integration of these systems will mean that the data will always be the most current information available. We are striving for complete integration of data systems so data is entered once, used many different ways and is the most current information available at all times.
In the future, PeopleBox data will be dynamically generated from information pulled directly from the IFAS system and staff contracts. The integration of these systems will mean that the data will always be the most current information available. We are striving for complete integration of data systems so data is entered once, used many different ways and is the most current information available at all times.
"Go Green" Tip of the Week
At the Green Team meeting on Tuesday, someone mentioned the fact that several people in one office get the exact same professional catalogs every month. Check with other staff members in your office about what catalogs, journals or magazines they receive to see if some sharing can be done.
Facts about Catalogs
Each year, 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers. Because most have glossy covers, many people think the product’s recycling potential goes down to zero. Catalogs and magazines with glossy covers have some of the lowest recycling rates. These catalogs and paper products in landfills increase the amount of level of methane gas emissions. Methane gas has a significant carbon footprint: methane is about 21 times more powerful at retaining heat than carbon dioxide.
The catalog industry takes a serious toll on our environment. According to Catalog Choice, a project sponsored by the Ecology Center, these 19 billion catalogs have a serious environmental impact:
from earth.911
Facts about Catalogs
Each year, 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers. Because most have glossy covers, many people think the product’s recycling potential goes down to zero. Catalogs and magazines with glossy covers have some of the lowest recycling rates. These catalogs and paper products in landfills increase the amount of level of methane gas emissions. Methane gas has a significant carbon footprint: methane is about 21 times more powerful at retaining heat than carbon dioxide.
The catalog industry takes a serious toll on our environment. According to Catalog Choice, a project sponsored by the Ecology Center, these 19 billion catalogs have a serious environmental impact:
- 53 million trees used
- 3.6 million tons of paper used
- 38 billion Btu (British thermal units) of energy used to produce this paper, enough to power 1.2 million homes for a year
- 5.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equal to the annual emissions of two million cars
- 53 billion gallons of water used, enough to fill 81,00 Olympic-sized swimming pools
from earth.911
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