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
Heartland
AEA’s fiscal year will end on June 30, 2016. In order for us to close
our books in a timely and accurate manner, the Business Office needs
your assistance in returning date-sensitive items.
- For
payroll-related work completed on or before June 30, turn in timesheets
and submit addendum online forms with appropriate approvals to the
Payroll Department by July 7, 2016.
- Review open Addendum Online assignments and close addendum assignments that will not have any additional hours logged.
- For
travel, mileage and purchases occurring on or before June 30, turn in
claim forms, expense claims, invoices for services or professional
development/travel forms with appropriate approvals to the Business
Office by July 8, 2016.
- Do
not put dates from two different fiscal years on the same timesheet,
vacation request or in-area travel request. In-area travel requests with
two fiscal years will be returned for correction.
IMPORTANT: If extenuating circumstances cause a delay in submitting expenses related to fiscal year 2016, Aug. 31 is the last date the Business Office will accept and process any claims for expenses occurring on or before June 30, 2016.
A
separate year-end communication is being sent directly to budget
managers and support staff. If you have any questions, contact Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at ext. 14005 or Heng Fongkhamdeng, Accountant, at ext. 14417. Thanks for your assistance.
As many of you are winding down your year’s work and planning to be away over the summer months, please remember you can always keep up-to-date with Agency and statewide happenings through social media! Be sure to “follow” or “like” the following sites to stay updated with the latest news and information.
Heartland AEA
AEA System
News Clips
Also available are Heartland AEA’s daily news clips. Each morning, the Heartland AEA Communications Department provides links to local and national education news headlines to those who have signed up for our “News Clips” email list. If you would like to be added to the News Clips list, contact the Communications Department.
As
many of our staff members are transitioning to a well-deserved summer
break, the Heartland AEA leadership team asks that staff who have time
off during the summer check their agency email at least once a week
during the summer months (June, July, August).
The
Agency relies heavily on email to communicate valuable agency and
regional messages and timely responses are oftentimes requested. If you
have any questions about this request, contact your supervisor.
Last week members of the State Board of Education adopted state rules for career and academic plans that school districts must develop to help students prepare for success in college and the workforce.
The rules represent the first step in the implementation of House File 2392, which was signed into law on May 26 to modernize secondary career and technical education (CTE) in the state and to provide students with equitable access to high-quality programs.
The new rules lay the framework for the implementation and development of individual student career and academic plans and set standards for career information and decision-making systems. All students enrolled in eighth grade must develop an individualized career and academic plan that they will review and revise each year until high school graduation. School districts must select a career information and decision-making system approved by the Iowa Department of Education as a tool to support the overall plan.
The rules also require the development of school-level teams consisting of school counselors, teachers, administrators and work-based learning representatives to guide the students through their career and academic planning.
Department leaders recommended that State Board of Education members adopt “emergency” rules as authorized by House File 2392 so that schools will be positioned to select a career information and decision-making system from a list of approved vendors for the 2016-17 school year.
“The emergency rules were based on recommendations from key stakeholder groups – school counselors, administrators, as well as members from postsecondary institutions and business and industry,” said Jeremy Varner, division administrator for the Department’s division of community colleges and workforce preparation. “The enactment of the rules allows time for the Department to review and evaluate career information and decision-making systems for inclusion on an approved list for schools to select from at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year.”
While emergency rules enable work to begin immediately, the Department requests feedback through a public comment period open until 4:30 p.m. on July 26.
Next steps for the implementation of House File 2392 will focus on the development of proposed rules for the restructuring of career and technical education and work-based learning programs. The Department plans to hold regional listening sessions later in the summer to answer questions and seek input as they are developed. Once drafted, comments will be solicited through an electronic process.
Dear Colleague Letter
A “Dear Colleague Letter” on Transgender Students that was issued to school districts in May. A joint letter from the Departments of Education and Justice went to schools with guidelines to ensure that "transgender students enjoy a supportive and non-discriminatory school environment." Full letter can be read here.
Terminology
Gender identity refers to an individual’s internal sense of gender. A person’s gender identity may be different from or the same as the person’s sex assigned at birth.
Sex assigned at birth refers to the sex designation recorded on an infant’s birth certificate should such a record be provided at birth.
Transgender describes those individuals whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. A transgender male is someone who identifies as male but was assigned the sex of female at birth; a transgender female is someone who identifies as female but was assigned the sex of male at birth.
Gender transition refers to the process in which transgender individuals begin asserting the sex that corresponds to their gender identity instead of the sex they were assigned at birth. During gender transition, individuals begin to live and identify as the sex consistent with their gender identity and may dress differently, adopt a new name and use pronouns consistent with their gender identity. Transgender individuals may undergo gender transition at any stage.
Compliance with Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs and activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. This prohibition encompasses discrimination based on a student’s gender identity, including discrimination based on a student’s transgender status.
A school’s Title IX obligation to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of sex requires schools to provide transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities even in circumstances in which other students, parents or community members raise objections or concerns. As is consistently recognized in civil rights cases, the desire to accommodate others’ discomfort cannot justify a policy that singles out and disadvantages a particular class of students.
1. Safe and Non-discriminatory Environment: Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all students, including transgender students.
2. Identification Documents, Names and Pronouns: Under Title IX, a school must treat students consistent with their gender identity, even if their education records or identification documents indicate a different sex.
3. Sex-Segregated Activities and Facilities: Title IX’s implementing regulations permit a school to provide sex-segregated restrooms, locker rooms, shower facilities, housing and athletic teams, as well as single-sex classes under certain circumstances. When a school provides sex-segregated activities and facilities, transgender students must be allowed to participate in such activities and access such facilities consistent with their gender identity.
4. Restrooms and Locker Rooms: A school may provide separate facilities on the basis of sex, but must allow transgender students access to such facilities consistent with their gender identity. A school may not require transgender students to use facilities inconsistent with their gender identity or to use individual-user facilities when other students are not required to do so. A school may, however, make individual-user options available to all students who voluntarily seek additional privacy.
5. Privacy and Education Records: Protecting transgender students’ privacy is critical to ensuring they are treated consistent with their gender identity.
“This action is about a great deal more than just bathrooms,” said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch. “This is about the dignity and respect we accord our fellow citizens and the laws that we, as a people and as a country, have enacted to protect them – indeed, to protect all of us. And it’s about the founding ideals that have led this country – haltingly but inexorably – in the direction of fairness, inclusion and equality for all Americans.” (Source)
In the Workplace
Heartland AEA does not discriminate based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or family status.
Effective July 1, 2007, the Iowa Civil Rights Act (Iowa Code Chapter 216) was expanded to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected characteristics. It is now illegal in Iowa to discriminate against a person because of his/her actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission requires that employers allow employees access to restrooms in accordance with their gender identity, rather than their assigned sex at birth.
Employers and co-workers can demonstrate that they recognize not everyone is heterosexual by using inclusive language in any invitations to social gatherings, which are extended to partners of employees. At the same time, employers should recognize that, by their very nature, sexual matters are private and confidential and not all employees are comfortable talking about their sexual orientation, or the identity of their partner. Managers should not forget that personnel information is confidential.
For more information refer to: “Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity – An Employer’s Guide to Iowa Law Compliance,” Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
If you have any questions about this information, contact the Diversity & Engagement Committee facilitators Gilmara Mitchell, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant, or Samantha Perry, Human Resources Specialist.
The PCP is your Primary Care Physician – the Blue Choice doctor you must use for all of your preventative and primary care. If your child uses a pediatrician and then needs to transition to a family doctor as a PCP, you must change your PCP information prior to the first doctor's visit. If you don’t do this, you may find yourself faced with unexpected charges!
If you go to your Employee Dashboard > Employee Online, you will find your PCP under Emergency and Physician Contacts. For your dependents, the PCP will be located in the blue column on the left hand side of the section, mid-way down select Step 1: Enter Your Emergency/Physician Contacts to view dependents PCP information.
You can go to Wellmark.com and use the “Find A Doctor tab” on the right hand side of their homepage. Select “Blue Choice” and then enter the other information needed and query the name of the doctor you want to switch to, double click on his/her name and then it should bring up his/her # (e.g., A3452). This is the # you need to enter on your Dashboard, along with his/her name and address. If the doctor’s name doesn't come up, then he/she is not a Blue Choice provider, and you cannot see him/her as an In-Network provider. However, keep in mind that although you may know the doctor as "Ted,” he might be listed as "Theodore," so you might have to try different name variations.
Next, go in to the Employee Dashboard and under the Employee Online tab, select Step 1: Enter Your Emergency/Physician Contacts (located in the blue column on the left hand side of the section, mid-way down). Select Add, which will bring up the screen in which you will correct the PCP information. Be sure to include the doctor’s city and hit Save.
And finally, call Wellmark at 800-524-9242 and provide them with your change information prior to visiting your new PCP, otherwise you could be responsible for 100% of your visit.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14315.
Heartland AEA is offering a second opportunity for our employees to participate in the Naturally Slim® program.
Naturally
Slim is a 10-week online program that helps you lose weight plus
improve your overall health – all while eating the foods you love! With
Naturally Slim, you will learn that you don’t have to starve yourself or
count calories to lose weight and keep it off forever.
The program begins on July 11, 2016 but participation is limited, so complete the online application by June 24, 2016.
Please note: By submitting the online application, you are committing to participate in the program, if accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will participants be selected?
Program
professionals select participants based on pre-determined criteria and a
willingness to meet all program completion requirements as outlined
below. You will be notified of your application status via email by July
1, 2016.
What are the program completion requirements?
In order to successfully complete the program, you must:
- Submit the online application and sign all appropriate releases by their associated deadlines.
- Complete
at least 8 of the 10 online video courses for Naturally Slim
Foundations within their set weekly time frames. It will be your
responsibility to ensure your participation is accurately recorded each
week.
- Complete a pre- and post-program biometric screening.
- Pre
biometric screening must be obtained and submitted to the Wellmark
portal by June 24. (You may use your current screening if it was
completed after Jan. 1, 2016.)
- Post biometric screening must be obtained at a local Hy-Vee by Sept. 30 (2 weeks after Foundations class concludes).
What is the cost for the program?
There
is no cost to you for the Naturally Slim Program. Your participation
will help Heartland AEA achieve our goal of becoming a more
health-conscious agency.
However, if you do not meet the program
completion requirements as defined above, you will be responsible for
reimbursing Heartland AEA $75, a portion of the program fee originally
paid on your behalf.
A Note about Confidentiality…
The
information that you provide to Naturally Slim will be considered
confidential and will be available only to you and the program
professionals. Heartland AEA will receive participation reports for
administration of payroll and billing processes. Otherwise, the
information you provide to Naturally Slim is confidential and available
only to you and Naturally Slim and its affiliates involved in conducting
or evaluating the program. Naturally Slim cannot sell or otherwise
divulge any participant information to any unauthorized party.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14315.
The agenda for the June 14, 2016 Board of Directors meeting is now available.
Heartland AEA vans will deliver twice a week to each district administration building during the summer months.
Schedule-to-date:
- Twice-a-week delivery to each district administration building runs June 13 to August 5.
- Twice-a-week delivery will automatically continue to each building that has an extended year calendar.
- Regular fall van delivery resumes August 8.
2016 Summer Route List
