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

Have You Followed Us on Facebook & Twitter Yet?

Remember you can stay up-to-date with news and information when you ‘Like’ Heartland AEA on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter! 

Revised School Counseling Framework Available

In the February 3 edition of The Connection, a link was included to the Department of Education’s new school counseling framework. The Department discovered a few errors in the document and has now posted a new version of the framework on its website. Click here to download the revised version.

Please Pass the Love: New Organization Committed to Increasing School Mental Health Supports

Please Pass the Love is a unique organization committed to increase school-based mental health supports to improve the quality of life and educational opportunities for children, families and educators as well as offer more comprehensive services and supports to school systems. The organization encourages interested school staff and students to check back to the ever-developing website at pleasepassthelove.org. 

Upcoming Events 
High school students are invited to a student group on Monday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church to have an opportunity for safe space to talk with other high school students about the challenges of mental illness in a high school setting as well as a call to action to combat the stigma. 

Also, on Monday, March 3 there will be a community of practice for educators/counselors/administrators at Plymouth Congregational Church, Waveland Hall Room 4 at 6:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity for persons in the educational community to have a voice in the challenges of mental illness in schools. 

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Time to Sign up to be a Mentor—Advise a New Staff Member in 2014-15!

It’s that time of year again—time to sign up to be a mentor for the 2014-2015 school year! As a mentor, you share your time and expertise to welcome and support new employees as they join our Heartland AEA team. Mentoring is a personally and professionally fulfilling experience that also helps the Agency retain great employees. 

Mentors provide 15 hours of one-on-one coaching and support for their mentee, are provided with mentorship training and in return will receive a $1,000 (gross) payment and the personal satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference in the career of your mentee. If you are currently a mentor and would like to continue your involvement next year, please remember that you will need to re-apply. 

It’s easy to sign up! Complete the Mentor Application, apply through the Internal Positions tab on the Employee Dashboard and attach the Mentor Application to that application. Deadline to apply is March 21, 2014. After receiving applications, more information will be provided to mentors in the near future for next year’s program. 

The Mentor Application and Program Guide are available on the Employee Dashboard > Intranet > Human Resources > Mentoring Program.

Wellness Update: “Know Your Numbers” Challenge Results

Thanks to all staff members who participated in our latest “Know Your Numbers” campaign. There were a total of 126 participants, and the regional breakdown looked like this: 

Region 1: 9.6% 
Region 2 14.9% 
Region 3: 21.88% 
Region 4: 17.24% 
Region 5: 18.06% 
Region 6: 27.27% 
Region 7: 17.14% 
Region 8: 32.31% 
Central office: 27.72% 

Visa gift cards for those who participated will arrive this week, so look for more information coming from Human Resources regarding how to receive your card. 

If you haven’t taken your Wellness Assessment yet, you still can! Although time to claim the Visa gift card incentive is up, you can still find the assessment in the Wellness Center after logging on to www.mywellmark.com. 

If you have any questions, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Manager, at tchiaramonte@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14534.

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. 

Timing/Affordability of Adequate Education Funding and NAEP Rankings

Reminder: Staff Members Have 4 Paid Hours of Volunteer Time

This fall it was announced that the Agency Planning Council (APC) would allow all staff members up to 4 hours of agency time per year to do volunteer/community service work. Some staff members have already taken advantage of this new opportunity and have been featured in recent HeartBeat issues and on the Agency’s social media sites. If you have not used your 4 hours of volunteer time, you may do so between now and June 30, 2014. 

Staff members must follow these procedures for volunteering during agency hours: 

• There must be at least three Heartland AEA staff members (you and at least two other staff) working at the same volunteer opportunity together. 
• Staff members are encouraged to wear Heartland AEA-logo clothing or our “Heartland Cares” stickers that were created for this purpose. You can request stickers by contacting Claire Sowder at csowder@heartlandaea.org. 
• Of course, you must approve your leave with your supervisor before taking the time off. 
• Finally, to celebrate our work, please take a photo of your group during the volunteer activity and send it to the Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org with information about the activity and who was involved. 

As this is a new idea, we’ll pilot the volunteer leave for the remainder of this year. Thank you in advance for representing our agency in our communities and demonstrating that we’re proud to impact lives!

Updated “Working Together for Children” Booklet Now Available

The Agency has updated the “Working Together for Children: A Guide for Parents and Educators” booklet, which provides an overview of the way services are requested and delivered in area schools when a student is experiencing difficulties. Please contact your regional administrative assistant if you need copies.