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

Reminder: VOYA New Agency Life Insurance Carrier; Please Fill Out New Beneficiary Form

The Agency has a new life insurance carrier, effective July 1, 2014—VOYA. Although the new company will honor the beneficiary forms of our former carrier, Madison National Life, we would strongly encourage employees to fill out the new VOYA beneficiary form. The completed form, with hand written signatures, can be mailed or emailed to Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at jhouseman@heartlandaea.org. Remember; always have your beneficiary information up-to-date!

Reminder: Registration Required for Targeted AEA Elementary Staff: August Trainings to Focus on Early Literacy, MTSS & Dyslexia

During our April regional meetings, we continued our agency discussions around the Early Literacy Implementation/Chapter 62 requirements for elementary schools across the state of Iowa. Below you will find registration information for one support that will be provided to AEA staff this fall. All targeted AEA staff need to register and participate in one session this fall. 

Course Title 
“Early Literacy Progression, Supporting MTSS, Understanding the Dyslexia Bill and Implications for Our Work in Educational Systems for AEA Staff Serving Elementary Partners” 

Target Audience 
All AEA staff in the following job-alike groups who serve elementary school partners: 
• instructional coaches 
• math consultants 
• professional learning generalists 
• reading consultants 
• school psychologists 
• school social workers 
• special education consultants 
• speech-language pathologists 
• and others as directed by regional directors

Sessions
Aug. 18 
Adel 
IN061692111501 

Aug. 19 
Ames 
IN061692111502 

Aug. 20 
Johnston 
IN061692111503 

Aug. 22 
Knoxville 
IN061699991501 

Sept. 2 
Johnston 
IN0616921115 

Identified staff members only need to participate in one session. If you are uncertain if you need to participate in this professional learning opportunity, contact your regional director. 

If you have any questions regarding the sessions, contact Martha Condon, School Psychologist, at mcondon@heartlandaea.org or ext. 18147.

Save the Date for Sept. 4 Medicaid Training

On Sept. 4, 2014, representatives from MJCare will be on site to provide training updates and answer Medicaid billing questions for Heartland AEA staff. 

While the training is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that staff members who do Medicaid billing attend in order to hear updates to billing practices. Additionally, new staff who will likely begin billing Medicaid should also plan to attend. Two sessions will be offered, and both will be offered electronically. More information regarding the electronic connection will follow in a future Connection article. 

Please join us for one of these sessions by registering through the online course catalog using the following activity numbers: 

Session 1 
9:00-10:30 a.m. 
Johnston Regional Education Center 
Conference Room 107A (formerly 13A) 
Activity Number: IN061792111501 

Session 2 
1:00-2:30 p.m. 
Johnston Regional Education Center 
Conference Room 107A (formerly 13A) 
Activity Number: IN061792111502 

If you have any questions, contact Sara Mercer, School Psychologist, at smercer@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14312.