In Wake of Proposed AEA Funding Cut Please Encourage Advocates to Contact Legislators

Two weeks ago the Iowa Senate passed a standing appropriations bill that called for a one-time $10 million cut to the statewide AEA system. Last week the House Appropriations Committee met and amended that appropriations bill to include a $20 million cut to the AEAs. In this tumultuous budget climate, the AEA system anticipated some sort of funding cut from the legislature, but we were hoping that it would be less than either of these proposed cuts.

Since most of the funds the AEAs receive from the State go toward special education services, we need legislators to understand that a cut of this type to the AEAs will mean fewer services for those kids who need them most.

If you know of parents and teachers who are advocates of the AEAs and would be willing to tell how their students have benefited from AEA services, please share with them this letter template that they can personalize and send to their legislators. (Right now it is written from the parent point of view.) Please note that everything marked in red in the letter will need to be personalized and/or is for reference and should be deleted before a final letter is sent.

Click here for a list of the contact information for all of the House and Senate members in Heartland’s area. It includes addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Advocates should contact the legislators in their area using the method most convenient for them.

Helping legislators understand the importance of AEA services is critical at this time. We have asked the Agency’s Parent Advisory Committee and our district superintendents to help us tell our story as well. It is through these stories that legislators will be able to see the true value and importance of AEA services.

Also, remember if you as an AEA staff member contact legislators, it is against the law for you to use agency e-mail, letterhead or telephones. Also, do not send any such messages during agency work hours, as that would also be a violation of the law.

Another Shelter Care Program Classroom to Close

In addition to the closure of the Quakerdale of Newton shelter earlier this year and the transfer of the Quakerdale of Manning shelter to Green Hills AEA beginning July 1, Heartland has been notified that because of funding issues the South Central Youth and Family Services shelter in Indianola will close prior to June 30. Heartland staff members who work in the SCYFS classroom in Indianola have been notified of the shelter’s closure and will have the option to seek employment at the Agency’s remaining Shelter Care classrooms if positions were to become available.

Setting the Agency’s Direction Update

Updates about the Agency’s future can be found on the Setting Direction blog at http://direction.aea11.k12.ia.us.

AEA Legislative Update

Click here to download the weekly legislative report from AEA Government Relations Specialist Wayne Haddy.

Upcoming Retirement Receptions

Jo Kay Boyle (School Psychologist/JO) very recently decided to retire from the Agency, so we weren’t able to include her retirement reception information in the May HeartBeat. Below are the details for her reception, and we are repeating the invitation to Barb Monroe (Speech-Language Pathologist/IN) and Jay Gjerstad’s (Special Education Consultant/IN) open house. If any other retirees are having events in which they’d like to invite staff to, please email comms@aea11.k12.ia.us, and we will share the information with everyone.

Retirement Reception for Jo Kay Boyle
May 18, 2011
Johnston Regional Education Center, Conference Room 13
4:00 p.m.
Cake, appetizers and punch provided

Retirement Open House for Barb Monroe & Jay Gjerstad
May 26, 2011
Sports Page Grill, Indianola
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Appetizers, cake, tea and soda provided with cash bar available

Information on Summer Camps Available

It’s time to consider summer camp! Our friends at ASK Resources have compiled a list of summer camps located throughout Iowa. Many of the camps are designed for kids with special needs and others are mainstream camps that can make accommodations for all kids. Click here for the list.

If You’d Like to Help Design the Agency’s Wellness Program, Please Take This Survey

As we get close to the end of the school year when many of you will be off contract for the summer, we would like to part with a reminder about an upcoming invitation to participate in a wellness program this fall. At April’s benefit enrollment meetings, we shared introductory information:

Who: All employees who are interested in helping to keep insurance rates affordable and being part of a healthier work group.

What: A results-based wellness program that takes advantage of Wellmark’s online tools plus extra programs of interest to you.

Where: Wellness program elements may be fulfilled where it is convenient and comfortable for you. The core program will likely use Wellmark’s online wellness platform.

How: The Insurance Committee will evaluate a structure for the program over the summer. A wellness work group will be assembled in the fall to provide ongoing advisement on details.

When: Planning and employee input is occurring now! Use the survey link below NOW and watch for your invitation and timeline to participate in full when all employees return in the fall!

We want to hear from you to ensure that a Heartland wellness program reflects your needs and preferences to the extent possible and reasonable. To that end, an Employee Wellness Survey is now available. Use the survey to put your ideas into the hopper—your input is vital to a successful wellness program. Please rest assured that your responses will remain completely confidential.

Results of the survey will be compiled in aggregate by Lean and Green®, our wellness consultant, for consideration. Keep in mind that not all suggestions can be used right away, but will be rolled into a plan of action that could span 2-3 years. Also, the format or venue of a given program idea may need to be chosen creatively to fit time, budget and program availability. Topics getting the most “votes” will be considered first.

Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HeartlandEmployeeWellness

Thanks for your participation and interest in making Heartland a healthier place to work. For questions or concerns, contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.