Members from the Agency Planning Council (APC) have been meeting with each Regional Planning Council (RPC) during regularly scheduled October meetings, which is where most of this week’s questions were raised. Some questions came up that we don’t have answers for yet, and APC will continue to provide updates in this weekly venue as often as new questions have been identified or there is new information to share. This will be an ongoing discussion item with the HEA collaboration team as well as in LLPC, SSPC and APC settings. APC also plans to gather input from job-alike coordinators and facilitators. If you have any questions, please e-mail them to comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Q: Has the agency defined a set number of supplemental contracts that will be divided among the regions or work groups?
A. No, will not be setting a number of supplemental contracts. It is not a set number of days total that are available and then we divide them by the number of employees. We will work together to identify our work and issue supplemental contracts as needed as this is not meant to be a competitive process among staff.
Q: Can supplemental contracts be of different length?
A: Yes, they can.
Q: Is it possible that people within the same workgroup could have different contract lengths?
A: Yes, it is possible based on the functions that staff member supports and the identified need. Therefore, contract lengths could be different across staff with the same job-title (e.g., school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, etc.) as well as job-alike group (e.g., Professional Learning Providers, School Psychologists, etc.).
Q: Some of us calendar our contract days over 12 months and some of us calendar over 10 months. Are you considering making us all one way or the other?
A: Service year (calendaring time over 10 months or 12 months) is being discussed at this time. Right now, APC has made no decisions about changes.
Q: When are supplemental contracts issued?
A: Supplemental contracts will be issued at the same time we do our base contracts.
Q: Will regional directors use the same criteria to make contract length recommendations? They seem very broad right now, but I understand they are getting more defined. When will we see all the criteria you will use?
A: Yes, everyone will apply the same criteria for decision-making, and APC will be responsible for making final decisions.
We are collecting information during October planning council meetings to bring more definition to the criteria. We expect to be able to share that input by the end of the month.
Q: I am concerned that no one really knows what I do in my work. Who do I talk with to make sure the Agency understands my role?
A: Please have conversations with your supervisor to provide that input.
Q: What input will districts have into this process?
A: We are in ongoing conversations with our districts regarding their priorities and needs. This happens through a variety of settings, including individual and agency planned meetings we have with school leaders. Also, the regional directors engage in routine conversations with district leaders and are responsible for keeping the service plan for each district updated with current information.
Q: How do we know when to use addendum days?
A: Addendum will be a tool your supervisors can use to address work that is of shorter duration, was unexpected, and/or we know is a special circumstance for which we could not plan otherwise.
Q: In the initial communication to certified staff, the phrase “planned transition process” was used. Can you clarify what that statement means?
A: Our intentions regarding transition are to use a process to make informed decisions to determine contract length. Once decisions are made, we will work closely with any staff member who is impacted by a change to ensure a smooth transition.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Please Complete Two-Question Website Survey
The Agency is redesigning its website to make it easier to navigate and arranging the content in a more intuitive way in order to better serve our customers. Please think about the ways you currently use the website and take five minutes to answer the following two questions. Your feedback is appreciated. The survey will be open until November 1, 2012.
Click here for the survey.
Reminder: Logo Update: Please Use Logo Without Tagline
You may have noticed over the course of the past several months that publications and materials being produced by our graphic designers have made use of our agency logo minus the “Extending your reach” tagline. Agency administration made the decision to slowly phase out use of the tagline with the logo, and the time has come to let staff know that we will officially no longer use the tagline with the logo.
Click here to download the Agency logo without the tagline. Going forward, please use this version when using the logo on agency-related materials. The logo is also archived on the Intranet > Communications > Resources & Publications.
The logo minus the tagline will be replaced on templates and other non-print materials in the near future. Current hard copy materials that contain the logo with the tagline do not need to be replaced or recycled, but the revised logo should be used when updating or reprinting the materials. If you have any questions, contact the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Click here to download the Agency logo without the tagline. Going forward, please use this version when using the logo on agency-related materials. The logo is also archived on the Intranet > Communications > Resources & Publications.
The logo minus the tagline will be replaced on templates and other non-print materials in the near future. Current hard copy materials that contain the logo with the tagline do not need to be replaced or recycled, but the revised logo should be used when updating or reprinting the materials. If you have any questions, contact the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Flu Vaccinations for Heartland Employees
It’s once again time to think about getting your flu or pneumococcal vaccines. There are several options available under your health insurance.
• Use your PCP (primary care physician) or any other in-network Blue Choice physician. The flu or pneumococcal vaccines will be covered at 100%. Your physician has the right to charge you for an office visit, so check ahead.
• A pharmacist may give the flu or pneumococcal vaccine at a pharmacy approved by Wellmark to give vaccinations. Click here to see if your pharmacist is on the list. Wellmark will pay 100% of the cost of your flu or pneumococcal vaccine at your approved pharmacy only if your shot is given BY THE PHARMACIST.
We will not be offering flu vaccinations this year at Heartland offices. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.
• Use your PCP (primary care physician) or any other in-network Blue Choice physician. The flu or pneumococcal vaccines will be covered at 100%. Your physician has the right to charge you for an office visit, so check ahead.
• A pharmacist may give the flu or pneumococcal vaccine at a pharmacy approved by Wellmark to give vaccinations. Click here to see if your pharmacist is on the list. Wellmark will pay 100% of the cost of your flu or pneumococcal vaccine at your approved pharmacy only if your shot is given BY THE PHARMACIST.
We will not be offering flu vaccinations this year at Heartland offices. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Internal Capacity Building Updates
Behavior Strand
Participants in the behavior strand are choosing from a variety of offerings based on an individual’s role in the Agency. Hopefully you have or will register soon for your individual sessions. However, in addition to registering for the individual sessions, please make sure you register to participate in the general behavior strand. Click here to register. Registering for the general behavior strand will help in the organization of learning teams and ongoing communication with those in the behavior strand. We ask that you register for both the general behavior strand and your individual sessions by October 22. Offerings for the behavior strand have been updated and can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/internal-capacity-building.
Early Childhood Strand
The offerings for the early childhood strand have been updated and can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/internal-capacity-building. Participants were asked to register for one of the four early childhood strands. General registration numbers have been created so you can register for an early childhood strand by going to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog. Click the links below to register for each session.
• EC Behavior/Learning Supports
• EC Literacy
• EC Math
• EC Birth to 3
Participants in the behavior strand are choosing from a variety of offerings based on an individual’s role in the Agency. Hopefully you have or will register soon for your individual sessions. However, in addition to registering for the individual sessions, please make sure you register to participate in the general behavior strand. Click here to register. Registering for the general behavior strand will help in the organization of learning teams and ongoing communication with those in the behavior strand. We ask that you register for both the general behavior strand and your individual sessions by October 22. Offerings for the behavior strand have been updated and can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/internal-capacity-building.
Early Childhood Strand
The offerings for the early childhood strand have been updated and can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/internal-capacity-building. Participants were asked to register for one of the four early childhood strands. General registration numbers have been created so you can register for an early childhood strand by going to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog. Click the links below to register for each session.
• EC Behavior/Learning Supports
• EC Literacy
• EC Math
• EC Birth to 3
Great Prairie AEA to Host Paralympic Silver Medalist Matt Stutzman
Great Prairie AEA’s Parent & Educator Connection is hosting an event on Nov. 5 at Fairfield High School featuring Paralympic silver medalist Matt Stutzman. Matt will speak about his disability and how he’s found success in his life. Everyone is welcome to attend. Click here for more information.
Reminder: T-TRAK Billing Q & A Session on Oct. 17
Just a reminder that Timberline Billing staff will be available in the Johnston Regional Education Center on Wednesday, October 17 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for those who would like assistance with Medicaid billing using the T-TRAK system.
Print & Production is Now Creative Services!
Heartland can create almost anything educators need to help their students achieve and their schools run smoothly. Since we’ve taken on a more creative and custom approach to our services, the Agency has decided to re-brand our Print & Production Services as Creative Services. This reflects our renewed focus on working with educators to create and produce items that truly fit them, their students’ and their schools’ needs. Click here to find our new Creative Services catalog. It’s in a neat emag format that allows you to flip
through it like a magazine and also do keyword searches for content.
It’s filled to the brim with examples of our products. As always, we offer:
● Graphic design
● Custom instructional materials (posters, maps, flip charts, flash cards, window clings, bookmarks, etc.)
● Printing and copying
● Lamination
● DVD & CD duplication
● Ellison letters and shapes
● Kurzweil scanning
● Braille transcription
One of the new products we are very excited about is our new poster printer. It can print 24 x 36 posters and banners of almost any length. We use a special, durable paper, almost like plastic. Since it is so durable, it doesn’t need to be laminated and it can be folded up and used from year to year.
And as always, Creative Services is here for Heartland employees as well. Let our staff create items to help you do your job well.
Click here for the new Creative Services order form. All orders should be sent to our Production Facilitator, Jill Crees, at creativeservices@aea11.k12.ia.us. Pricing and general questions should also be directed to Jill by e-mail or at ext. 14368.
● Graphic design
● Custom instructional materials (posters, maps, flip charts, flash cards, window clings, bookmarks, etc.)
● Printing and copying
● Lamination
● DVD & CD duplication
● Ellison letters and shapes
● Kurzweil scanning
● Braille transcription
One of the new products we are very excited about is our new poster printer. It can print 24 x 36 posters and banners of almost any length. We use a special, durable paper, almost like plastic. Since it is so durable, it doesn’t need to be laminated and it can be folded up and used from year to year.
And as always, Creative Services is here for Heartland employees as well. Let our staff create items to help you do your job well.
Click here for the new Creative Services order form. All orders should be sent to our Production Facilitator, Jill Crees, at creativeservices@aea11.k12.ia.us. Pricing and general questions should also be directed to Jill by e-mail or at ext. 14368.
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