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

Heartland AEA COVID-19 Dashboard for Week Ending Oct. 2, 2020

We will provide you with COVID-19 case and quarantine data each Monday in The Connection. The numbers will fluctuate on a weekly basis, and our report will show what is current as of the previous Friday. If you have any questions, contact Nia Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources.  

Thank you for your continued cooperation and flexibility as we work together to support children, students, families, educators and each other throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Click the image to enlarge it.

Looking Ahead to Winter Break…

In celebration of Winter Break:  

• Dec. 23, 2020: Agency offices will be closed to the public but the day will be considered a normal calendar/workday. 
• Dec. 24, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021: Offices will be closed to staff and the public 
• Jan. 4, 2021: Offices reopen to staff and the public

Online United Way Campaign Kicks Off Today and Runs Through Oct. 30

Central Iowa LIVES UNITED year-round, but United Way is extra special during the fall, when organizations like ours across the community-run campaigns to raise money for the fight—the fight for the health, education and financial stability of all central Iowans.  




Heartland AEA and United Way are so grateful to you for the courage and compassion you’ve shown in the past toward this fight. You are truly an impact-maker for so many central Iowans in need! As a donor or volunteer, or as someone who wants to learn more about United Way’s work, you are joining the effort to ensure that everyone in Central Iowa gets a chance at a quality life.  




Details

• Watch your email for a message from United Way of Central Iowa today, Oct. 5, 2020, with a link to donate to United Way online.
• Pledges of at least $50 can be designated toward the county United Way or organization of your choosing.  
• Although the pledge site may indicate that cash or check pledges are options, we are only accepting online pledges for this campaign. 
• Those who pledge will again be entered into a drawing!

If you have any questions, contact Courtney Croatt, Communications Specialist or Whitney Wolf, Human Resources Generalist.

October 2020 School Leader Update Available

The October 2020 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education.

United Way’s 21-Day Equity Challenge Added to Agency Wellness Program’s Challenges

We have added the United Way of Central Iowa’s 21-Day Equity Challenge to our Wellness Program Challenges! The 21-Day Challenge is in the wellness portal and ready for you to begin participating today! 

The 21-Day Equity Challenge is a great opportunity for you to start or continue your journey in learning more about equity and racism. The Equity Challenge is a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community.  

• 100% FREE to participate.  
• Receive an email every weekday Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, 2020, with links to recommended articles, videos, podcasts and more.  
• Daily topics include Understanding Privilege, Housing & Redlining, Justice System Inequities, Allyship and many more.  

United Way says, “The experience will deepen understanding, suggest ways to take action and help launch what we hope will be a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our community.”  

Heartland AEA is registered as a supporter of the Challenge, and we encourage you to register for this learning opportunity.  

United Way 21-Day Equity Challenge 

New Position Application Platform Coming; Download Your Documents from the Current System Soon!

The Agency’s current position application platform used by Human Resources (Applitrack) will no longer be used beginning Jan. 1, 2021. If you have applied for a position through the current system, you will no longer have access to your application materials after this date. 

If you have resumes, cover letters, transcripts or other application documents that you need copies of, you will need to log in Applitrack and download them before Dec. 31. (If you have forgotten your user ID or password, select the reset option just under the sign in tab.) Human Resources does not store these documents and will not have access to them once the platform is closed. If you have any questions, contact Heather Rinderknecht, Human Resources Associate.

Senate File 2360: Guidance for Safe Classroom Learning Environments Released Last Week

On June 29, 2020, Governor Reynolds signed Senate File 2360, an Act, which provides a comprehensive approach to create a safe learning space for students and teachers. 

Last Friday, the Iowa Department of Education released guidance on Senate File 2360 to inform Iowa public school districts of the requirements and to aid Iowa’s school districts in interpreting and implementing this comprehensive legislation. The requirements of Senate File 2360 apply to all public school districts in Iowa and requires a comprehensive approach to create a safe learning space for students and teachers. The requirements are organized around five topics. The first two topics require immediate action by school districts, while subsequent topics require actions of the Department and other agencies. 

Heartland AEA anticipates that we will have ongoing conversations as to how this guidance will impact our work. If you have any questions, contact your regional director or Jadie Boens, Director of Special Programs.