Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Pamphlet Paints Picture of AEA System Legislative Priorities & Services

Click here to read a pamphlet about the AEA system that highlights our legislative priorities and our increasing demands for service and gives a snapshot of our current services.

February 2014 School Leader Update From Iowa Dept. of Education

Click here to read the February 2014 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue you will read about a new name for Response to Intervention, learn how TeachIowa.gov saves districts money and find out why the 2014 Teacher of the Year supports the Iowa Core.

February 2014 Each & Every Child Newsletter From Iowa Dept. of Education

Click here to read the February 2014 issue of the Each & Every Child Newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education. This month’s feature article is “What high growth schools are doing.” It highlights a recent study done by the Department in conjunction with Grant Wood AEA that asked the question, “Why aren’t students with IEPs achieving at high levels?”

Updated Iowa School Counseling Framework Debuts for School Counseling Week

Click here to read the updated Iowa School Counseling Framework released by the Iowa Department of Education. It comes in time for National School Counseling Week, “School Counseling: Building Magical Futures,” which will be celebrated from Feb. 3-7, 2014. National School Counseling Week is celebrated to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

Updated Human Resources Contact Guide Available

Ever wonder who to contact in Human Resources about a specific topic? Click here for an updated Human Resources Contact Guide, which features the two new faces in the department—Juliette Houseman and Samantha Perry. The guide is also archived on the Intranet > Human Resources > Contact Guide.

February Board Meeting Rescheduled for February 19

The February 11 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Johnston Administration Center.

AEA Legislative Update

Click here to read this week’s legislative update from the AEA system’s lobbyists, Matt Eide, John Pederson and Tom Lane. We will bring you these updates weekly throughout the legislative session.

The Facts About Education Funding – A Team Approach

The Joint Education Allowable Growth Group (IASB, UEN, AEAs, SAI, ISEA) developed an action plan to address Iowa’s declining education funding and the need for consistent growth in the annual spending rate (as well as the need to set the rate consistent with law). A weekly “Fact About Education Funding” will be sent to all legislators, Gov. Branstad and Dept. of Education Director Buck highlighting a pertinent fact about education spending in Iowa. Each week this link will be shared in The Connection. 

     ELL Funding

Updated Medicaid Manual & Video Tutorials Available

MJCare has updated its Web Manual as of January 15, 2014, and has created video tutorials for your reference. Below are links to the training offered on January 22, the updated web manual, as well as the video tutorials. As a reminder, it is expected that all staff members who are able to bill Medicaid do so as of December 1, 2013. Please contact Sara Mercer at smercer@heartlandaea.org if you are having any issues entering your Medicaid claims through the new MJCare system.

Medicaid Manual 
Jan. 22, 2014 Training Session Video 
MJ Care Tutorials 
• Case load - add a new student 
• Caseload page 
• Service Record - add a new student 
• My Services page

District Wide Assessments Clarification

The following is a clarification regarding participation in District Wide Assessments from the Department of Education. This information refers to page 452 of the Special Education Procedures Manual and the Special Education Release Notes, both dated January 15, 2014. 

It currently states, “‘No’ is selected for preschool children who receive AEA support services, only. . .” This is not the case for those preschool students attending a preschool program and receiving support only services. The question must be answered “Yes” for those students as well if they are in a preschool. If you have any questions, contact Misty Christensen, Regional Director/Assistant Director of Special Education, at mchristensen@heartlandaea.org or ext. 11203.