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

Join One of Our Listening Circles: Safe Spaces for You to Speak and Feel Connected

With the crisis of the current pandemic, there has been an increased awareness of the stressors faced by ALL our staff and the need to provide quality supports. One of the supports we are making available for our staff, starting in November, is Listening Circles. 

The goal is to create a brave space for staff to be heard, free of judgment, and with no fear of consequences for speaking their truth. It is believed that this practice will be helpful for building and maintaining a healthy community in which ALL staff feels connected and respected. Listening circles have been scheduled at various times throughout the day to accommodate as many schedules as possible.  

Listening Circles Flyer 

Registration

Heartland AEA COVID-19 Dashboard for the Week Ending Oct. 30, 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 for a larger view.

November 2020 School Leader Update Newsletter Available

The November 2020 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners’ Quarterly Newsletter Available

The quarterly newsletter of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is available. In this issue: Licensure System update, renewal tips, substitute authorizations, December graduates, holidays, ethics, teaching online and recent cases.

Dependent Care Enrollment is Now Open Through Nov. 30! New: If You Don’t Want to Enroll, You Don’t Need to do Anything

If you DO NOT want to enroll, do nothing! (In the past, non-enrollees had to enter a $0 amount).   

Online enrollment for the 2021 Dependent Care Flex benefit plan will be open to eligible employees from Sunday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, at 4 p.m.  

Full-time employees and Certified Union employees working a 96-day contract are eligible to participate. Eligible part-time CU employees with a 96-day contract must contact Juliette Houseman to enroll via paper.

 


Dependent Care Flex is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs and child or adult daycare that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working to claim dependent care expenses. 

A dependent is defined as:   

• A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age  
• A dependent or spouse who is physically or mentally disabled  

The maximum amount your family may flex per calendar year is $5,000 ($208.33 per pay period). 
All dependent care expenses for the 2021 plan year must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2021, and must be submitted to 121 Benefits for reimbursement by March 1, 2022. 

To Enroll 

1. Log in to Employee Online.
2. Click Benefits.
3. Click Enroll in Dependent Care (Nov 1-30).
4. Click the checkbox to select Flex Dependent Care, then enter the dollar amount of automatic deductions you want to designate from each paycheck (between 0.01 and 208.33).
5. Click the Save button to save your Flex deduction amount.
6. Click Exit.
7. The main benefits page redisplays and Dependent Care status is "Unsubmitted." You must click Submit to change the status to "Pending Approval."

For more detailed instructions and screenshots to guide you through Enrollment, view How to Enroll in Dependent Care. 




NOTE: IF YOU ENTER AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN “0” IN EMPLOYEE COST PER PERIOD, THEN THAT AMOUNT WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR PAYCHECK PER PAY PERIOD. 





If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14315.

Next Wellness Challenge: Registration is Open for the Sugar Smackdown!

You can now register for Sugar Smackdown! During this four-week challenge, you’ll complete daily tasks as you combat sweet, sweet temptation and limit the sugar in your diet. 

Join and learn convenient ways to reduce your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and day-to-day issues such as headaches, fatigue and mood swings. 

Sugar Smackdown: How It Works 

• The challenge runs from Nov. 16 to Dec. 13, 2020. 
• You will receive a newsletter with well-being education and health tips each week. 
• To participate, complete daily tasks outlined in your newsletter and track your progress on the Heartland AEA Wellness Portal. To complete the challenge, you must earn a minimum of 20 points. 
• You can earn rewards: 75 points in the Heartland AEA Wellness Program. 

 Register on the Heartland AEA Wellness Portal today!

Reminder: Early Notification Incentive Again Offered to Certified Union & Management Staff

Last year, Heartland AEA filled 45+ 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 2020-21, the Heartland AEA Board of Directors has again approved an Early Notification Incentive for staff who have a signed contract and who notify Heartland AEA of their intent to not renew their contract for the 2021-22 school year by Dec. 4, 2020. 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 2021-22 school year must submit early notification letters of resignation that are effective at the end of the 2020-21 work year.   
• Early notification letters must be received in the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2020.   
• Heartland AEA’s Board of Directors acts on early notification letters no later than the regular meeting on Dec. 8, 2020.   
• Departing staff must fulfill their individual employment contract obligations for the 2020-21 work year.   


Early Notification Incentive   

• A $1,500 early notification incentive will be paid on June 30, 2021, to employees fulfilling these requirements.

If you have any questions about the early notification incentive, contact Nia Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources, at ext. 14534.