As you know from earlier communications, we have not been able to set up flu shot clinics through Wellmark this year. However, the Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa is offering flu clinics in the Des Moines area and some of you may find this option works well with your schedule. The vaccinations are currently for seasonal flu and not for H1N1 flu. No plans are available at this time for the H1N1 vaccination, nor does the Visiting Nurse Services have plans to do clinics in other areas of the state. As information becomes available about the H1N1 vaccination, we’ll communicate that to you through The Connection.
Click here for a list of times and places for the flu shot clinics.
The costs are:
Flu vaccine $20.00
Flu mist $28.00
Pneumonia vaccine $48.00*
*For the pneumonia vaccine, you must pre-register at least one business day in advance of the clinic by calling Julie (VNSI representative) at (515) 321-3134.
Wellmark will NOT reimburse you for shots received from Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa. Wellmark will pay 100% of the cost of a routine flu shot received from either your primary care physician (PCP) or any Blue Choice in-network physician. (Your physician may charge you for the cost of an office visit. Call your doctor’s office to determine how this will affect you.) The pneumonia vaccine is covered at 100% but may only be given at your PCP’s office.
You may also go to a Wellmark-approved pharmacy for your flu shot (only a pharmacist on the list approved to give shots). The cost is a $20 co-pay.
Questions may be directed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14385.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Heartland Aspiring Leader Program Information & Application
Heartland AEA will be offering opportunities for employees who are considering a career in leadership. This year we will pilot a program for these individuals. It will be a two-year experience with commitments as follows:
1) Participation in Heartland Leadership Academy (at least two strands, one each year).
2) Each participant will be assigned to a current Heartland manager. This manager will meet with the individual and arrange for some “shadowing types of experiences” as well as advising them about activities within the Agency that will allow them to gain leadership skills.
3) Each participant will be expected to explore and understand leadership roles in education outside the Agency.
4) In their second year, each participant will be expected to complete a project that demonstrates the leadership skills they have gained.
5) Participants will earn credit for participation in the strands of leadership academy and one additional credit per year. (Total of four credits.) Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
6) Interested individuals need to apply by completing the attached questionnaire. For this first cohort of participants we will be selecting three to five participants.
Applications are due by October 5, 2009 to Sharon Kurns in the Johnston office either electronically or by hard copy.
Selection Criteria
1) Support of the applicant’s supervisor is required
2) Two years successful employment at Heartland required
3) Quality of the application materials
4) Strong desire or rationale to participate
5) Demonstration of initiative and leadership in current role
6) Demonstration of involvement in activities to gain leadership experiences
7) Demonstration of core values of the Agency on a consistent basis
Click here to download the application form.
1) Participation in Heartland Leadership Academy (at least two strands, one each year).
2) Each participant will be assigned to a current Heartland manager. This manager will meet with the individual and arrange for some “shadowing types of experiences” as well as advising them about activities within the Agency that will allow them to gain leadership skills.
3) Each participant will be expected to explore and understand leadership roles in education outside the Agency.
4) In their second year, each participant will be expected to complete a project that demonstrates the leadership skills they have gained.
5) Participants will earn credit for participation in the strands of leadership academy and one additional credit per year. (Total of four credits.) Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
6) Interested individuals need to apply by completing the attached questionnaire. For this first cohort of participants we will be selecting three to five participants.
Applications are due by October 5, 2009 to Sharon Kurns in the Johnston office either electronically or by hard copy.
Selection Criteria
1) Support of the applicant’s supervisor is required
2) Two years successful employment at Heartland required
3) Quality of the application materials
4) Strong desire or rationale to participate
5) Demonstration of initiative and leadership in current role
6) Demonstration of involvement in activities to gain leadership experiences
7) Demonstration of core values of the Agency on a consistent basis
Click here to download the application form.
Learning Team Facilitator Training to be Held in October
Training for Learning Team facilitators will be held at the end of October. Each learning team selected a facilitator. If you are the facilitator for your team, please register for one of the below trainings. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Brown at sbrown@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14380.
October 21
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ames Office
Activity Number IN021899991001
October 21
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN021892111002
October 23
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Indianola Office
Activity Number IN021892111003
October 23
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN021892111004
October 30
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN021892111005
October 30
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN21892111005
October 21
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ames Office
Activity Number IN021899991001
October 21
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN021892111002
October 23
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Indianola Office
Activity Number IN021892111003
October 23
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN021892111004
October 30
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN021892111005
October 30
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Central Office
Activity Number IN21892111005
Teacher Quality Deadlines Have Been Changed
The sign-up for Teacher Quality classes has been delayed. We needed some additional time to get all the options identified and added to our Universal Registration System. This will mean that there will be just one step in the registration process. You will receive a communication from your program assistant or supervisor within the next two weeks with a list of options and the registration numbers. You will be given a deadline for registration, and we will only be able to accept those people who register by the deadline because on that date we will calculate the amount each person will receive for a 15 hour TQ activity. Thanks for your patience and look for more information via e-mail from your program assistant or supervisor.
September 29 Board Retreat Agenda
Click here for the Heartland Board of Directors September 29 board retreat agenda.
Update on United Way Fundraising Campaign
Investing in our community is important to Heartland and there has never been a more important time to extend our reach through the United Way. This article highlights why to consider donation, information about pledging and our “eBay like” auction.
Why?
The United Way of Central Iowa will commit the dollars raised in this campaign to organizations that use researched-based strategies to address the following three goal areas:
• Increasing graduation rates
• Increasing the financial stability of low-income families
• Inspiring individuals to improve their health and avoid risky behavior
How We at Heartland AEA Can Help
Pledge Cards
Our United Way pledge card campaign will begin this week and continue through October 16. Pledge forms will be sent out to our regional and central offices. Additionally, pledge cards can be downloaded by clicking here. You can designate on your pledge form where you want the money to go, whether it is to the United Way (any United Way in your area) or a specific non-profit 501(c) organization. It is important that your total contribution is evenly divisible by 24 pay periods into whole dollar amounts if you choose to have your pledge deducted from your paycheck. (For example, $24 divided by 24 pay periods equals an even $1). The form also allows you to give a one-time donation instead of payroll deduction if you prefer.
In order to assist you in deciding your pledge amount, please remember that pledges from last year’s drive continue to be in effect until December 31, 2010. Deductions for this year’s drive will start in January and continue through December.
There will be two prizes that are directly related to the pledge forms:
1. The region with the largest percentage of pledge participation will have senior management serve breakfast/lunch at their next regional meeting.
2. Donators will be given casual day stickers for specific pledges. You will receive printed stickers with the Heartland Cares logo and individuals can choose the day they would like to wear casual clothes (make sure the day is ok with your supervisor). The more you give the more stickers you receive.
$5 - one sticker
$10 - two stickers
$25 - three stickers
$50 - four stickers
$100 - five stickers
Not-So-Silent Auction
Our Not-So-Silent Auction will kick off next week on October 5. Julie Sypersma and our new programmer, Neil Dennis, have been working hard to perfect the bidding program that we will use during the auction. The process will work much like eBay. Bidders will be able to view a photo of the item, read its description and bid anonymously. If you are out-bid, you will receive an e-mail notification telling of the amount (but not the person) that you have been out-bid. Although it’s not exactly how most silent auctions work, it’s sure to be fun for all!
Thank you to all who have donated items to the auction. Some understood that you could only donate one item, but more will be accepted if you can. For those of you wishing to donate, there is still time! Send a photo and a short description of your item to the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us by October 2, 2009. Items need to be clearly marked with your name, United Way Auction and sent to the warehouse via van delivery for inventory or taken to the dock at 6500 Corporate Drive to be delivered to the warehouse. We ask that we keep larger items (e.g., items that may require special delivery arrangements) at home until the close of the auction.
The auction will run from Monday, October 5 to Friday, October 16. We will announce the winners of each item in the October 26 Staff Connection. Items will be sent to you through the van mail after you have sent your money to Claire Spellman, Communications Administrative Assistant, in Johnston. Write checks payable to “United Way.” Items not paid for by the end of the second week will be offered to the second highest bidder. If no bids are made, then the item will be given back to the donator or donated to Goodwill.
Why?
The United Way of Central Iowa will commit the dollars raised in this campaign to organizations that use researched-based strategies to address the following three goal areas:
• Increasing graduation rates
• Increasing the financial stability of low-income families
• Inspiring individuals to improve their health and avoid risky behavior
How We at Heartland AEA Can Help
Pledge Cards
Our United Way pledge card campaign will begin this week and continue through October 16. Pledge forms will be sent out to our regional and central offices. Additionally, pledge cards can be downloaded by clicking here. You can designate on your pledge form where you want the money to go, whether it is to the United Way (any United Way in your area) or a specific non-profit 501(c) organization. It is important that your total contribution is evenly divisible by 24 pay periods into whole dollar amounts if you choose to have your pledge deducted from your paycheck. (For example, $24 divided by 24 pay periods equals an even $1). The form also allows you to give a one-time donation instead of payroll deduction if you prefer.
In order to assist you in deciding your pledge amount, please remember that pledges from last year’s drive continue to be in effect until December 31, 2010. Deductions for this year’s drive will start in January and continue through December.
There will be two prizes that are directly related to the pledge forms:
1. The region with the largest percentage of pledge participation will have senior management serve breakfast/lunch at their next regional meeting.
2. Donators will be given casual day stickers for specific pledges. You will receive printed stickers with the Heartland Cares logo and individuals can choose the day they would like to wear casual clothes (make sure the day is ok with your supervisor). The more you give the more stickers you receive.
$5 - one sticker
$10 - two stickers
$25 - three stickers
$50 - four stickers
$100 - five stickers
Not-So-Silent Auction
Our Not-So-Silent Auction will kick off next week on October 5. Julie Sypersma and our new programmer, Neil Dennis, have been working hard to perfect the bidding program that we will use during the auction. The process will work much like eBay. Bidders will be able to view a photo of the item, read its description and bid anonymously. If you are out-bid, you will receive an e-mail notification telling of the amount (but not the person) that you have been out-bid. Although it’s not exactly how most silent auctions work, it’s sure to be fun for all!
Thank you to all who have donated items to the auction. Some understood that you could only donate one item, but more will be accepted if you can. For those of you wishing to donate, there is still time! Send a photo and a short description of your item to the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us by October 2, 2009. Items need to be clearly marked with your name, United Way Auction and sent to the warehouse via van delivery for inventory or taken to the dock at 6500 Corporate Drive to be delivered to the warehouse. We ask that we keep larger items (e.g., items that may require special delivery arrangements) at home until the close of the auction.
The auction will run from Monday, October 5 to Friday, October 16. We will announce the winners of each item in the October 26 Staff Connection. Items will be sent to you through the van mail after you have sent your money to Claire Spellman, Communications Administrative Assistant, in Johnston. Write checks payable to “United Way.” Items not paid for by the end of the second week will be offered to the second highest bidder. If no bids are made, then the item will be given back to the donator or donated to Goodwill.
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