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

Do You Know How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

Do you know how to use an AED? If not, take a few minutes to watch the video below to learn how easy it actually is. Agency offices have received new AEDs, which literally talk you through how to use them. Heartland AEA-provided AEDs are available in our Ames, Adel, Indianola, Johnston REC, Johnston Administration Center and Knoxville offices. AEDs are also available in the Guthrie Center, Carroll and Newton offices, as well as the Parkview and Delaware co-locations and the Polk County Detention Center. Devices will be added at the Rosedale Shelter and Youth Emergency Services & Shelter soon. 

From ZOLL, the AED manufacturer: 
When the Fully Automatic AED Plus® detects a shockable heart rhythm, it delivers the shock on its own. No one needs to push a button. Once the Fully Automatic AED Plus® prompts “Don’t Touch Patient,” and the heart analysis begins, if a shock is needed, it will be delivered automatically after a brief verbal countdown. 

Like all ZOLL AEDs, the Fully Automatic AED Plus features Real CPR Help®. This revolutionary technology gives you real-time feedback for both depth and rate of chest compressions, helping you provide the best CPR possible in a rescue. Audio and visual prompts guide you to rescue with a confidence and clarity unmatched by any other AED. 
     • Not pushing hard enough? It will tell you when to push harder. 
     • Not pushing fast enough? A metronome will lead you to the right rate. 
     • Pushing hard and fast? You will hear “good compressions.” 

We’ve all heard stories of people being saved by AEDs when in cardiac arrest situations. Please take a moment to watch the video below – you might just save a life. 

If you have any questions, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, and lead of the Emergency Response & Safety Team. 

Final Call: Certified & Management Staff Eligible for Early Notification Incentive

During the past three years, Heartland AEA has filled up to 175 vacancies in the Certified Union and Management staff employee groups. It has been to the Agency’s advantage to enter the recruitment cycle as early as possible.  


For 2017-18, the Heartland AEA Board of Directors has again approved an Early Notification Incentive for staff who have signed a contract and who notify Heartland AEA of their intent to not renew their contract for the 2018-19 school year by Dec. 8, 2017. The details are listed below.



Early Notification Incentive Process & Requirements 

• Certified Union and Management staff who do not plan to return to Heartland AEA for the 2018-19 school year submit early notification letters of resignation that are effective at the end of the 2017-18 work year. 
• Early notification letters must be received in the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2017. 
• Heartland AEA’s Board of Directors takes action on early notification letters no later than the regular meeting on Dec. 12, 2017. 
• Departing staff must fulfill their individual employment contract obligations for the 2017-18 work year. 

Early Notification Incentive 

• A $1,500 early notification incentive will be paid on June 30, 2018 to employees fulfilling these requirements. 

If you have any questions about the early notification incentive, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Manager, at ext. 14534.

2018 Social Security Wage Base Has Been Revised

The Social Security Administration has announced the 2018 Social Security wage base has been revised to $128,400 from $128,700 that was previously announced. The tax rate remains the same at 6.2%. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Federally-funded Staff: A-87 Certification Notification Coming Dec. 6

Semi-annually, Heartland AEA must comply with the Federal Grant rules identified in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87, pertaining to documentation needed for federal expenditures. For employees who are funded 100% with federal funding, there are Circular A-87 audit requirements we need to meet in order to document appropriate expenditures. 

If you are in the fully funded group, on Dec. 6, 2017 you will receive an email from heartlandworkflow with the subject A87 Certification Notice - Action Required with a link to the certification page. The process is very simple and the same as previous years.  



If you are new to this process or need a refresher, you can view this presentation, which explains the background for Circular A-87 and the steps Heartland AEA is taking to meet the A-87 requirements. the steps Heartland is taking to meet the A-87 requirements. Keep in mind the video was created in March 2011. Although some of the dates and timelines in the video are old, the process and the purpose of the A-87 certification are still the same. The video will explain that employees who are fully funded from one grant will need to certify every six months that they are performing duties allowed under the federal grant. 



If you have any questions, contact Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at ext. 14005. The Business Office appreciates your prompt completion of the certifications and your assistance in helping us comply with this reporting requirement.

Opt-in and Test Message Coming From Emergency Notification System on Dec. 5

In order for you to receive SMS (text) messages from our SchoolMessenger notification system, you will need to opt-in to the SMS service. 

If you have never received a message from SchoolMessenger before, on Dec. 5, 2017 (tomorrow), you will receive a message sent from a short code address -- 67587. To opt-in, just reply “Y” or “Yes” to the message. You must reply “Y” or “Yes” to the initial opt-in message, or you will not receive text messages that are sent out in the event of an office closing. You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop.”
  

SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.



We will also be testing the system on Dec. 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. You will receive an SMS message and an email saying that the Agency is testing the SchoolMessenger system. 



If you have any questions, contact Courtney Croatt, Communications Specialist, at ext. 14474.

Dec. 2017 School Leader Update Now Available

The Dec. 2017 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.

Dec. 2017 Each and Every Child Newsletter Now Available

The Dec. 2017 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education is now available. Featured in this issue is Heartland AEA-area school, Gilbert Intermediate.

Reminder: Registration For Five to Thrive Wellness Challenge is Open!

Pizza or a salad. A candy bar or an apple. Soda or a smoothie.  These are the choices we face on a daily basis. Even when we know what is right, we sometimes choose the less-than-healthy option. If you fall into this category, you are not alone. 

But don't worry – the Five to Thrive Nutrition Challenge is here to help! For 28 days, you will challenge yourself to eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day and record your progress. You will also get tips and advice on how to eat a healthier, more balanced diet. To earn credit for this challenge, you must track consuming 5 or more fruits/vegetables servings on 14 of the 28 days of the challenge.    

Challenge begins: Dec. 11, 2017 
Challenge ends: Jan. 7, 2018 
Last day to record: Jan. 14, 2018

Professional Learning Opportunity: Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students to be Offered in January

Christopher A. Kearney, Ph.D., will be offering a professional learning opportunity, Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students, for Heartland AEA staff on Jan. 4, 2018. Dr. Kearney will be presenting two workshops: school avoidance and anxiety and strategies for working with students who display selective mutism. More information can be found when you register. School social workers have already registered -- the remaining 50 or so spots are open to any special education consultative staff.  

Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students 
Jan. 4, 2017 
Registration