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

Coronavirus Updates -- Handling Stress Webinar, Cleaning & Sanitation and Hy-Vee Biometric Screenings

Some general updates about Coronavirus response...

March 18 Webinar from Interactive Health to Address Handling Stress in Uncertain Times 

Ongoing concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) have many of us on edge. You may be feeling more stressed or anxious than usual — and that’s common during a health crisis or time of uncertainty. The good news: Interactive Health can help! 

Join us for a webinar on March 18 from 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. where we’ll: 

• Explore the dynamics of stress, worry and anxiety 

• Examine why we worry 

• Discuss tips for lowering stress and anxiety 

Register Now for Webinar


Interactive Health has created a COVID-19 resource page that includes information to support your emotional health during this challenging time. It includes tips on breathing techniques, how to sleep well, building resilience and more. We encourage you to take a look and share with family and friends if you find it valuable.

Please Take Community Food Home

In some areas of our offices, staff is very generous in sharing community food, snacks and candy. Please remove all community food and refrain from offering community food and snacks until further notice. 

Refrigerator Cleaning This Week in Admin and REC Buildings  

The refrigerators in the Johnston Administration and REC buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized this week. Most food has been removed, but there may be some forgotten, stored or abandoned food items and containers. Remove community condiments and refrain from storing food overnight in agency refrigerators until further notice.

Carpet Cleaning on the Johnston Campus 

Carpet in the Johnston Regional Education Center will be cleaned during spring break to take advantage of how light the traffic will be (which we often do over breaks). In light of current events, this work will be enhanced. All of the unreserved meeting and conference rooms in the REC will be closed this week for maintenance so we can focus on deep cleaning rooms, and so we can move through the building in an efficient and effective manner. There were very few bookings, and we've consolidated them near the front of the building in as few rooms as possible.  

Hy-Vee Biometric Screenings Canceled

Due to the ongoing concerns with COVID-19, the upcoming April 2, 2020, biometric screening event is canceled. In addition, Hy-Vee is no longer performing screenings in stores until further notice. If you have any questions, contact Britini Jones or Juliette Houseman.

In Spite of Present Circumstances, Annual Benefits Enrollment Will Go on in April

In spite of everything that is going on with COVID-19, our required annual benefits enrollment will still be occurring, so please be sure to check out The Connection for updates and information weekly. As it nears (April 1 - 30), it's time to start reflecting on the different deductible plans offered through Heartland's AEA’s health insurance coverage. 

Our online enrollment module in Employee Online has also been updated, and we’ll share more information about this in The Connection as well as through ZOOM sessions for staff. If you know the plan that you want to enroll in, Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, will walk you through the entire enrollment process.

Health Insurance Plan Changes

A reminder of changes to our health insurance plans is below. 

• Medical & HRA Plan Change Details

A more comprehensive Q & A document will be shared next week. But you can start to consider the following as you think about enrollment:  

• When considering which deductible plan you want to participate in, you should consider the deductible amount, premium costs and if you have any expected medical expenses (e.g., having a baby or major surgery). No matter which deductible you choose, there is absolutely NO difference in the actual coverage(s) provided by the Blue Choice plans offered to you. 

• If you pay $617.58 per month for the $1,000 deductible family plan vs. $551.10 per month for the $2,000 family deductible plan, you would want to consider the cost savings towards your premium. But you would also want to consider that on the $1,000 deductible family plan, it is $1,000 per person or $2,000 per family towards the deductible, and on the $2,000 deductible plan, it is $2,000 per person or $4,000 towards the deductible. If you don't have any major medical procedures planned, and everyone covered under your plan is in reasonably good health, then you might consider the $2,000 plan because you would save premium dollars and that you would receive an annual Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with the $2,000 deductible plan only.

• If anyone covered under your plan needs to have any major medical procedures or regularly meets your deductible under the $1,000 deductible plan, then you might consider the savings provided by the lower deductible yet at a higher cost to you. 

• If you are considering the single health plans (which are provided by the Agency at no cost to you), which both provide the same coverage, you would want to consider the deductible of $1,000 ($2,000 out-of-pocket maximum) vs. $2,000 deductible ($4,000 out-of-pocket maximum) and that you would receive an annual Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with the $2,000 deductible plan only. 

• The HRA is a 100% contribution by Heartland AEA into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for you if you choose a $2,000 deductible health plan. Contributions are made in quarterly deposits, you can use this money to be reimbursed for your and/or your spouse and/or dependents’ out-of-pocket vision, medical, dental and/or prescription expenses, regardless of whether you have single or family coverage. Since it is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, you are unable to take the funds with you when you terminate your employment with Heartland AEA, unless you take a bona fide retirement from the Agency (which basically means receiving IPERs). Quarterly deposits will be made into an account with 121 Benefits, the Agency’s HRA administrator. When you submit your claims, if there is money available in your account, you are reimbursed. If you submit more than is in your account, then every quarter when a deposit is made, you are reimbursed until the claim has been paid in full. The balance rolls over annually with no cap on the maximum rollover amount.    

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