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 

IDEA Full Funding Bill Introduced in U.S. House Last Week

The federal budget process for FY18 is underway and an early part of the process has started with a bill in the House. This is of particular interest, especially since it is a sharp contrast to the treatment of special education funding in the President's proposal. Comments from AESA Executive Director Joan Wade are below.

- Paula

The IDEA full funding bill was introduced in the House last week. AESA was one of 37 national organizations sending a letter of support for the legislation. AESA Executive Director Joan Wade issued the following statement after introduction of the IDEA Full Funding Act:

“AESA has long supported and prioritized full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While the investment by Congress in IDEA has been substantive, the fact remains that they committed to providing for 40 percent of the additional cost associated with educating students with special needs. The highest level they have reached in federal share was 18 percent in 2005, and as schools and educational service agencies begin to prepare for the 2017-18 school year, they do so knowing that the federal share of IDEA will be at 15 percent, less than half of the authorized amount. AESA is proud to support the IDEA Full Funding Act, commends the bipartisan leadership around the issue in the House, and looks forward to working with Congress to ensure increased investment in IDEA both in FY18 and in an effort to realize full funding.”

July 2017 Will Begin Transitions for Sheldahl and Yelick, Heartland AEA and Great Prairie AEA

July 2017 will be a month of change for Heartland and Great Prairie AEAs. Both agencies will welcome new chief administrators -- Jon Sheldahl at Heartland AEA and Cindy Yelick at Great Prairie AEA.
 
The Great Prairie AEA board of directors officially released Dr. Sheldahl from this contract in the middle of May. He has been the chief administrator at Great Prairie since July 2011 and brings with him experience as a superintendent, associate superintendent and principal. Dr. Sheldahl will begin his tenure at Heartland AEA on July 3.

We also officially congratulate Dr. Yelick on her hiring as the new chief administrator at Great Prairie AEA. The Heartland AEA board of directors released her from her contract at their meeting last Tuesday, and we all wish her well as she begins her service to students and educators in southeast Iowa.

Transition plans for Dr. Yelick's former position at the Agency are being crafted and will be communicated when they are finalized.

Reminder: Be Ready for July 1 Transition: Create a 121 Benefits Online Account

You can now login and set up your account information with 121 Benefits!

Go to the 121 Benefits website, and at the top of the page, find the “Account Access” box. Hover over the box and click the link for “Participant title - Select FSA - HRA - HSA login” and use the "Existing User?" box.

Enter your PEID # using a lower case “e” in both Username and Password. (You can find your PEID # by going to the Employee Online tab of the Employee Dashboard and selecting Pay Stub on the left hand side of the screen in the blue column. Select a paycheck, and you can find the number at the top of your pay check - e.g. E00001.)
You will be prompted to answer security questions, and then you will set up your user information, and if you want, your banking information as well. (We weren't sure if you would be able to set up your banking information online, so that's why we previously told you about the direct deposit form. You don't need to provide the information online and on the form -- just one or the other.)

If you set up your account prior to July 1, you will not have any balance information to view, but you can get everything set up and ready to go.

New Addition! Reminder: Q & A About Transition from Kabel to 121 Benefits

Below are some common questions that staff have been asking about the Kabel to 121 Benefits transition.

NEW! Q: If I get new glasses, go to the doctor or have some other medical, vision, dental and/or prescription out-of-pocket expense during the blackout period, will I just have to pay that expense myself?
A: Fear not! The blackout period only means that you will not be reimbursed for claims during that time period. Save your receipts and file your requests for reimbursement through 121 Benefits on or after July 1, and you will be reimbursed as you normally would!
 
Q: Will my HRA balance transfer from Kabel to 121 Benefits automatically? 

A: Yes. Any HRA balance over $0 will transfer automatically to 121 Benefits--employees don't need to do anything. (Once you create your new account on the 121 Benefit website, you will have access to your account(s).)

Q: I have $1.75 in my flex medical account. How can I zero that out so I don't have to pay the administration fee? 

A: You must submit a reimbursement request (for that amount or greater) to Kabel by June 14 or that account balance will roll over and you will be charged a monthly fee of $3.60, which is the fee that will accompany flex medical accounts administered by 121 Benefits. 

Q: I have a balance in my flex medical account under $500. How long will that continue to roll over?

A: Indefinitely. If it rolls over into the 2017-18 benefit year, then you can use it for expenses incurred during that year. Keep in mind that there is an administration fee of $3.60 per month for all flex medical accounts, regardless of the balance.

Q: Can I get a prepaid benefits card for my HRA?
A: You will not receive a benefits card (the Benny Card) for an HRA account--the cards are only for flex medical account participants since it follows different administrative rules. You can only receive HRA money when it is available in your account.

Q: I have $322.44, and I am enrolled in the 2017-18 flex medical plan. Do I need to spend all of this money to clear out my account?

A: No. Your money will automatically rollover and be in addition to the amount you are having deducted into your account during the 2017-18 benefit year.

As always, if you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist.

Severe Weather Season is Here – When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Lightning is a serious danger. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), an average of 54 people are reported killed by lightning each year in the U.S., and hundreds are permanently injured by lightning. Summer is the peak season for this deadly phenomenon. 



This is the perfect time to review what you should do in the event there is a severe thunderstorm and/or lightning in your immediate area -- at home or at work. Visit Be Ready Iowa or the National Weather Service for additional information.