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
Aug. 31, 2018 is the last date the Business Office will accept and process any claims for expenses occurring on or before June 30, 2018. Please note: do not submit expense claims with dates crossing the new fiscal year. Use a separate expense claim if you still have reimbursable expenses that occurred prior to July 1, 2018.
If you have questions, contact Mary Heaberlin, Accounts Payable Specialist, at or ext. 14818 or Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at or ext. 14005.
The Heartland AEA Creative Services Department is excited to roll out a new tool to use in ordering from Creative Services -- Creative Services Online. In this new system, you can browse ready-to-order products, request custom graphic design, upload files to print and more.
The new system streamlines the ordering process and takes the place of the fillable PDFs that have been used in the past to place orders. You will also be able to check the status of your orders, select account codes from a dropdown list and browse all the fantastic items that Creative Services has to offer!
Going forward, you are asked to place orders for printing, lamination, custom graphic design and binding using Creative Services Online. You should log in using the same email and password you use for the AEA Learning Online system (AEA Login). You can browse the site before logging in, however, you will not be able to place an order until you have logged in. If you have any questions about how to use Creative Services Online, contact a member of the Creative Services team.
Also note that Creative Services Online will be available to schools in the Heartland AEA service area this year.
With the implementation of the Creative Services Online system, comes a new way for you to order agency business cards. (Note: administrative assistants are still able to order business cards on behalf of staff.) To place your order:
- Go to Creative Services Online.
- Log in using your email and password that you use for AEA Learning Online.
- Go to Browse Heartland AEA Products, then Heartland AEA Catalog.
- Click Continue on Staff Business Cards.
- A window will come up for you to enter your information in real-time! Type in your information, then submit your order.
This information is archived on a new tab on the Intranet > Creative Services.
If you have any questions, contact the Creative Services Department.
You received an email earlier today with a request to read the updated Staff Handbook. This article serves as a reminder of that request.
The Heartland AEA Staff Handbook has been updated as of Sept. 1, 2018 and is now available for all staff to read and become familiar with. All previous versions of the Staff Handbook should be discarded or archived. The Handbook also contains a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Notice for staff to read. After you understand where to find the Staff Handbook and are able to review it along with the HIPAA notice, you are required to complete a web-based read receipt form that confirms you have reviewed both of these documents. Please DO NOT print and send this form to Human Resources.
Once you click on the link to the web form, you will need to enter the username and password you use to login to the Employee Dashboard. You will then be prompted to complete the read receipt form. If you do not fill out the form in a timely manner, you will receive a friendly email reminder to do so.
Please note: In addition, all staff are asked to certify that they are not currently related to any employee or board member within Heartland AEA or anyone within their district assignment. If such a relationship exists, please disclose the relationship to Human Resources using this form.
For future reference, the Staff Handbook is located on the Intranet tab of the Employee Dashboard. Look under Human Resources and click on the 'Staff Handbook' link.
If you’ve ever wondered about the preventive services Wellmark provides coverage for…
In accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Wellmark provides coverage for preventive services when they are delivered by in-network providers. Benefit coverage and cost sharing will still apply for out-of-network services as specified by member coverage manuals. Additionally, health plans may apply cost sharing to out-of-network preventive care and use reasonable medical management techniques to help control costs and promote efficient delivery of care.
Preventive services are defined under Section 2713 of the ACA as immunizations, screenings and other services that are listed as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) or the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The services identified by the ACA to clinicians are recommendations, not mandated services. Clinicians are best able to determine which services to provide.
Examples of Services Covered
- Annual wellness examination
- Colorectal cancer screening
- Depression screening
- HIV screening: for all adults through age 65 and older adults who are at increased risk
- Immunizations: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Herpes Zoster; Human Papillomavirus (HPV); Influenza (Flu Shot); Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Meningococcal; Pneumococcal; Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis; Varicella
- Screening mammography (2D): breast cancer screening annually for women age 35 and older
- Lead screening for children at risk to exposure, birth through 6 years
The entire list of covered services is now archived on the Intranet > Benefits > Wellmark > Preventive Services Covered List.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist.
As part of the Agency’s Wellness Program (which you’ll hear more about soon!), we’re pleased to provide a new employee benefit for this year – a free financial fitness program to help you improve your financial well-being. This program is designed to provide a custom-tailored program just for you.
The program begins on Sept. 11 with an email invitation from the Financial Fitness Group. Look for it in your inbox – it’s legit!
Making changes may seem complicated, but you’ll be surprised how taking a few simple steps will boost your confidence. You can take control of your financial future with this award-winning financial fitness program that includes:
- The Financial Fitness CHECKUP helps you understand where you are now.
- The Financial Fitness ACADEMY includes hundreds of tools and tutorials that will guide you on how to make the most of your money.
Don’t let the worry of financial mumbo jumbo stop you. The resources were developed to be interesting and understandable! You will feel more empowered and capable of making changes and future financial decisions.
If you have any questions, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources.
Heartland AEA staff members are granted up to 4 hours of agency time per fiscal year to do volunteer/community service work. Keep the following guidelines in mind when volunteering:
- There must be at least three Heartland AEA staff members (you and at least two other staff) working at the same volunteer opportunity together.
- You are encouraged to wear Heartland AEA logo clothing or our “Heartland Cares” stickers that were created for this purpose. You can request stickers by contacting the Communications Department. (Please wear logo shirts or stickers so others can see who you are!)
- Of course, you must approve your leave with your supervisor before taking the time off.
- Volunteer leave should be recorded in the Leave Online system as Volunteer Leave.
- Finally, to celebrate our work, take a photo of your group during the volunteer activity and send it to the Communications Department with information about the activity and who was involved.
Thank you for representing the Agency and serving our communities!
Trinity Lutheran School in Boone has a new domain that applies to its website and email addresses. Please update your records accordingly.
Website: https://tlsboone.org/
Email addresses:
firstinitiallastname@tlsboone.us
During regional meetings, you learned more about our internal Professional Learning System, including a preview of the technology platform we will use to support our growth and evaluation processes.
As we all learn and become familiar with the platform this year, Professional Development Plans (PDPs) for Certified staff will be postponed one month during the 2018-19 school year.
Technology Platform Training
Staff will engage in training on the technology platform during the previously scheduled agency-directed meetings (Aug./Sept.).
Important Dates and PDP Conferences
Aug. 30: Professional Learning Providers
Sept. 19, 20 or 21: Direct Service Staff (OTs, PTs, Audiologists/TDHH, Vision staff) and Consultative Staff (EC, SLPs, School Psychs, SSW, Sped Consultants)
It is recommended to schedule PDP conferences with your supervisor after you have been trained on the technology platform.
PDP Deadlines for 2018-19
All PDP deadlines will be moved back one month.
- Staff on the induction cycle and/or on summative evaluation cycle will have a due date for PDPs of Nov. 30, rather than Oct. 30.
- Staff on the formative evaluation cycle will have a due date for PDPs of Dec. 30, rather than Nov. 30.
If you have any questions, contact your regional director.
Please note that most of the Teacher Quality (TQ) courses and study groups are set-up in the new AEA Professional Learning Registration System that won’t officially launch at Heartland AEA until October. Instructions for accessing the new system are included at the end of this article. We will all need to extend grace during this process as the Professional Development Office works with us on this new system.
Registration
Registration for Teacher Quality (TQ) courses and study groups begins Aug. 20 and ends Sept. 14, 2018. The list of courses and study groups being offered is now available. TQ courses and study groups are offered as an optional format for professional learning for our Certified staff. TQ courses meet for 15 hours off contract time, and participants are eligible for a stipend upon completion of the course. All Certified staff members are eligible to register for these opportunities.
Heartland AEA has a strong commitment to time spent in service to our partners. With this commitment in mind, beginning in 2018-19, TQ courses will be offered at times when service to children, educators and families when service is least impacted. TQ courses and study groups will be offered between Oct. 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 outside of contract hours Monday through Friday or on weekends, except for a few exceptions.
A popular option offered in 2017-18 will again be offered in 2018-19—the ability for you to develop your own study group proposals. Study groups must have at least four participants, and one participant must agree to be the study group facilitator. The content must align with Heartland AEA’s four goals and/or support a specific job-alike function.
Anyone who wants to form a study group needs to fill out this this form to indicate their interest in forming a study group. If you want to request the syllabus from a study group offered last year, here is the list of study groups offered in 2017-18. Study group proposals can be turned in Aug. 20 – Sept. 14, 2018. The Professional Development Office will work with interested participants in writing their study group proposal and support them in entering the proposal in the new registration system. Study groups can begin Oct. 1. This allows time for books to be ordered if there is a need.
Those who complete a TQ course or study group and meet eligibility requirements will be provided a stipend. The amount of the stipend is established after registration closes, as the stipend is determined by the number of participants. For reference, during the 2017-18 school year, eligible participants received $655 for completing a course/study group, and facilitators received a $705 stipend for facilitating a course/study group.
TQ Timeline for 2018-19
TQ registration open: Aug. 20 - Sept. 14, 2018
TQ proposals for study groups due: Sept. 14, 2018
TQ courses and study groups held: Oct. 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
FAQ Document
Here is a frequently asked questions document that will help answer questions about Teacher Quality.
Questions
If you have any questions about TQ pay or guidelines, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer. If you have questions about courses or study groups, contact Brandie Gean, Licensure and Conference Center Manager.
Using the AEA Professional Learning Registration System
- On the Google Sheet listing the TQ courses, click on Course Title of the course you would like to register for.
- Next, login to the AEA Professional Learning Registration System using the same username and password you use to login to the AEA Learning System (the site you use to take mandatory and non-mandatory trainings such as Mandatory Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens, etc.).
- Once logged in, you will be able to read the overall description of the course by clicking on Read More. (For additional information about the course, click on the title of the course. To register, you will need to click on the Sections tab and follow the instructions below.)
To Register for the Course
- Click the Register button. If you don't see the Register button, scroll to the right to locate it.
- On the Confirm Course Selection page, click Accept that you have read the disclaimer.
- Next, choose your credit type and click Next.
- You will receive a confirmation email after you register.
If you need assistance registering, contact the Heartland AEA Professional Development Office at ext. 14701.
Note: If you would like to use the course for salary advancement, or if graduate credit is available, you will receive instructions on how to pay for the credit when those options are available.
