Our Mission
To
improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth
by providing services and leadership in partnership with families,
schools and communities.
Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success
The
Agency is looking forward to a second year of employee engagement
through PechaKucha presentations at our All-Staff Meeting!
Save Sept. 15, 2017
on your calendar for a “most of the day” meeting that will again
feature an afternoon of presentations from YOU! The feedback from last
year’s meeting told us that you enjoyed the PechaKucha presentations and
the opportunity to learn from your colleagues.
Presentations will again be in the spirit of a PechaKucha,
during which speakers give quick presentations that include 20 images
shown for 20 seconds each for a total presentation of 6 minutes and 40
seconds.
Topics can be almost anything that is inspiring within our
work throughout the Agency (should we ask for presentations that are job
related as well as non job related), including but certainly not
limited to:
• A successful project
• A pilot project that didn’t reach its target
• Team-building strategies,
• A story of collaboration,
• Technology integration that improved a process or project or
• An initiative that made a positive impact on kids, teachers or families
Here are some quick tips for a great presentation!
How to Apply
If you or a team of your co-workers are interested in presenting, complete this presentation application by June 1, 2017.
When
planning your Pecha Kucha, think about whether it reflects, educates,
touches on or celebrates areas that we’ve emphasized as an organization,
such as:
- Core Values: Caring - Proactive - Collaborative
- Mission:
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and
youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families,
schools and communities.)
- Goals: Increase learning growth, Decrease gaps in achievement, Increase in annual graduation rate, Increase post-secondary gateways
- Wellness:
Heartland AEA’s Five Elements of Wellness help promote the total
well-being of agency staff: Career Wellness, Community Wellness,
Financial Wellness, Social Wellness, Physical Wellness
This
approach to learning during our All-Staff meeting gives us a unique
opportunity to feel the pulse of the Agency in just a few hours, to
celebrate together, learn together and get re-connected. More than a
PowerPoint slideshow, Pecha Kuchas generate discussion and innovation,
so don’t be shy, show your work, make an impact!
Submit your
presentation application by June 1, 2017!
If you have any questions, contact the Communications Department.
Since the school year is over for many schools, our Administrator Connection newsletter (our weekly update for school leaders) is about to go on summer break as well. This Friday’s issue (June 2) will be the last issue for the 2016-17 school year. If you have any information you’d like to communicate to school administrators before then, be sure to send it to Julie McCarty, Communications Specialist, by noon on June 1. The newsletter will start up again in mid-August.
June 28-30, 2017
Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, Waterloo
Presenters
Dr. Linda Dorn, Dr. Salli Forbes, and Dr. Deb Rich
This three-day institute will offer details for designing a rigorous and challenging curriculum that includes research-based practices, differentiated instruction and scaffolding techniques to guarantee the literacy success of all students. Based on the professional work of Linda Dorn and Carla Soffos, the institute provides educators with a wealth of practical resources aligned with the Iowa Core and supported by theories of self-regulation and transfer.
Who Should Attend?
Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL) Coaches, Coach Candidates, Administrators, Classroom Teachers, Title 1 Teachers, Interventionists, Special Education Teachers, Curriculum Directors, AEA Consultants, AEA Chief Administrators, Superintendents and others!
Registration
As you were notified last week, Heartland AEA is transitioning administration of its FSA and HRA plans to 121 Benefits effective July 1, 2017.
What you need to KNOW:
Blackout PeriodThere will be a 2-week “blackout” period from June 15 to June 30 and no FSA or HRA claims will be reimbursed during this period. This ensures that your elections, payroll deductions, claims and payments transition smoothly from Kabel to 121 Benefits.
Filing Claims in JuneIf you file a claim on or before June 14, submit your claim to Kabel. If you file a claim after June 14, submit your claim to 121 Benefits, even if the date of service occurred prior to June 14. Claims sent to 121 Benefits during this “blackout” period will be processed once the blackout period has ended.
Flexible Spending Debit CardsYou will not have access to your current flexible spending debit card after June 14, 2017. New debit cards will be issued. “Benny” cards from 121 Benefits are expected to arrive in late June or early July. You will receive two cards – do not throw them away. These cards will look similar to the cards you currently have through Kabel. The cards will automatically activate the first time you use them and are good for three years from date of issue.
Current BalancesYour account balances will automatically transfer to 121 Benefits. No action is required on your part.
New Direct Deposit Forms
If you are currently using direct deposit for claim reimbursement(s), you will be required to complete a new form with 121 Benefits. Forms are available on 121 Benefits’ website and will be available on the Intranet. Complete and mail or fax to 121 Benefits. Checks are still available to those who prefer this method of reimbursement.
What you need to DO:
- Remember the blackout period dates – June 15-30, 3017.
- Watch for new “Benny” cards, arriving in late June or early July.
- Complete a new Direct Deposit form if this is your preference.
- Download the 121 Benefits mobile app for your smartphone.
- Check out the 121 Benefits website for great tips, blogs, a searchable eligible expense list and more!
- Watch for additional communications.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14315.
As
of July 1, 2017, the Agency will have a new administrator for its
medical flex, dependent care flex and HRA benefit plans—121 Benefits.
121 Benefits was selected as the new administrator after a review of
optional vendors. More information about 121 Benefits and the transition
to their services will follow in the coming weeks.
There will
be a blackout period in June as the transition from Kabel to 121
Benefits takes place, so you are encouraged now to go logon to your
online account, review your balances and pull any historical information
you might want available to you so that you have records prior to the
blackout period.
If you haven’t set up or logged into your Kabel
account since the merge last October, you will need to follow these
instructions:
- To setup your online account go to the Kabel site
- Go to "Existing User?"
- Your Username name will be: First Name Initial, Last Name, Last 4 Digits of your Social Security number
- Your first time Password will be: changeit
- For example: Name: John Doe Social Security number: 123-45-6789. Username will be: JDoe6789
- You can access your account information online 24/7.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14315.
Deadline Extended! You now have two more weeks to complete and record your Wellness Program activities, as the deadline for completion of the program is now June 16. Many of you are close to completing the program and earning your incentive! If you need help finding out what you have left to complete, contact Katie Streff today! It just takes a little time to see what you have done and what else you can do before the end of the program. Log into your Wellmark account to get to the Wellness portal.
Requirements for Completing the Program
Baseline Actions
• Biometrics
• Health Assessment
• Dental Exam
• 1 Hour Volunteering
• EAP Survey
If you complete your biometrics, health assessment, dental exam and EAP survey, you will receive a Heartland AEA logo polo.
Working on Wellbeing
• 2 Challenges (If you have not completed two challenges, let Katie Streff know and she will work with you on other ideas for challenges)
• You also need to complete two activities from the following: Career, Emotional, Financial, Physical and Social.
Once all of the Working on Wellbeing areas are completed, you will receive your incentive—$200 for returning staff and $100 and a Fitbit flex for all first year staff.
Millions of people are affected by a mental health issue, whether it’s a struggle with depression, anxiety, addiction, stress or another issue.
Contact LifeWorks—they’re there to help: Are you concerned about a child who may be suffering from anxiety, a family member who may be abusing opioids or a worry in your own life? Remember that you can always contact one of LifeWorks’ caring, professional consultants for confidential support 24/7.
Go to LifeWorks.com: They offer a wealth of resources. See the Mental Health Support feature on the homepage. You’ll find links to articles, infographics and their new podcast, “Managing Your Moods,” featuring Christine Padesky, a clinical psychologist, bestselling author and leading expert in cognitive behavioral therapy. She describes simple research-tested skills you can learn to improve your mood and boost happiness.
LifeWorks is here to support you and your loved ones through whatever challenges you may be facing.
Website: heartlandaea.lifeworks.com
Username: heartlandaea
Password: lifeworks
Heartland AEA vans will deliver twice a week to each district administration building during the summer months.
Schedule-to-date:
- Regular delivery ends June 13. Drivers will stop at each school even if school is out for the summer.
- Twice-a-week delivery to each district administration building runs June 14 to Aug. 10.
- Twice-a-week delivery will automatically continue to each building that has an extended year calendar.
- Regular fall van delivery resumes Aug. 14.
A summer route list will be available soon.
On Dec. 13, 2007, Congress unanimously passed a resolution to create National Cardiopulmonary (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week. This observance occurs the first week of June each year to increase public knowledge of the use of CPR and AEDs. Working with health advocates across the nation, the American Heart Association has made significant strides strengthening the Chain of Survival: Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland and Oregon all have successfully enacted legislation that eased liability concerns for businesses and organizations that place AEDs in their facilities. Iowa and Wisconsin now require that high school students be offered hands-on CPR training.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 295,000 occurrences of out-of-hospital SCA per year, with only an 8 percent survival rate. It can be successfully treated in many victims by a time electrical shock using an AED, but time is critical. Using AEDs helps save lives because they can help restore normal heart rhythm before emergency personnel arrive. Communities with comprehensive AED programs have achieved survival rates of 40 percent or higher. It may not always be possible to have access to an AED. It is the American Heart Association's belief that everyone should know how to perform CPR in an emergency. Immediate, effective CPR could more than double a victim's chance of survival. Those administering CPR should push on the chest at a rate of at least 100 beats per minute.
