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 the Week Ending Feb. 5, 2021

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. 

Heartland AEA COVID-19 Dashboard

Due to Presidents’ Day, Payday Will be on Feb. 12

The Federal Reserve and other banks will be closed on Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents’ Day. As a result, our payday will be Feb. 12, rather than Feb. 15. 

If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Cell Phone Reimbursement Related to the Use of Zoom Phone for Agency Business

The Agency encourages the use of agency-issued computers and iPads when using Zoom Phone. Although you may use the Zoom Phone app on your personal cell phone, the Agency will only reimburse you for minutes that use a traditional cell signal. The Agency will not reimburse minutes for calls from within the Zoom Phone app.    

The Agency does not reimburse for data usage. Zoom Phone uses whatever data source your phone is connected to, so we recommend using wifi whenever it is available. This includes tethering your device to the hotspot on your MiFi device or iPad. In the absence of wifi, the Zoom Phone app will use your cellular connection for data. 

If you have any questions about the Agency’s reimbursement policy, contact Kurt Subra, Chief Financial Officer, or Brian Whalen, Business Manager.

Use Your New Direct Dial Phone Number with External Clients; Use on Your Email Signature & Business Cards Too

With the transition of the Agency’s phone system to Zoom Phone, you now have your own direct phone number in addition to retaining the extension number most of you have used for many years. (Most full- and part-time employees have their own phone numbers; subs, interns and temps do not.) Having two ways to contact you could potentially be confusing to external clients such as teachers and parents.  

We ask that going forward, you use your direct dial line instead of the (800) 255-0405 number with your extension in your email signature and on your business cards (when you need more). (The (800) 255-0405 number is also no longer a direct dial number -- it now rings to the agency switchboard.) 

This will make contacting you easier for those outside the Agency and will ease any confusion that may be caused by listing a direct phone number and an extension number. Extension numbers can still be used internally between staff, as they will continue to be an easy way to call between one another.  

Email Signature

See the Heartland AEA Email Signature Template for templates for each office location. Don't forget to add your pronouns to your signature as well. 

Business Cards

Since extension numbers still work, you don’t need to get new business cards until you are running low. Cards can be ordered through Creative Services Online.

Website

The Agency’s online staff directory and website pages will be updated accordingly as well.

Communicating About the Switch to Zoom Phone & Your New Direct Line

We know you are probably letting people know your new Zoom contact information. Here's some sample language you can use in an email or in-person to help with the transition.    

Heartland AEA has upgraded its phone system, and this is my new phone number: (515) XXX-XXXX. The new phone system has a number of great new features, including: 

• Each staff member now has their own direct phone line. The extension numbers we've used in the past continue to work, but we are asking clients to use these direct lines to reach us more efficiently and conveniently.
 
• We now have the ability to text message using our direct phone lines. So you can contact me via text, and I can text back using this direct line from Heartland AEA rather than my personal cell phone. [Add parameters for texting if you have them.]


Again, my new direct line number is: (515) XXX-XXXX. I look forward to talking (texting) with you!

When You Need to Create a Google Doc for Agency Work, Remember the Logoed Template with Pre-set Styles

When you need to create a Google Doc for agency work, remember our logoed templates (both portrait and landscape) with pre-set styles available in the Agency's Google Docs template gallery. The template has been created with pre-set styles that will help your documents look professional and be easy to navigate. When you use headings from the Styles menu, the font, size and color will automatically change. It will also add your headings to the Document Outline (on the left-hand side) which can help readers navigate the document easier.    

The accompanying Formatting Guidelines provide additional information about the pre-set styles, including samples for text and table layout. To use the styles, simply type and select your text, then go to the Styles menu in the toolbar and choose from the Styles.     

     

Things to Keep in Mind  

Heading Order: Use the Heading styles in order –Title for the Title, then Heading 1, Heading 2, etc. This helps with web accessibility for those using screen readers and overall readability.  

Regular Doc vs. Letterhead: Use this new Doc template for day-to-day documents and use the Google Doc letterhead templates for more formal correspondence such as letters to parents, vendors, etc.    

Communications and Creative Services Support: Remember, if you're sharing your Google Doc with external partners, Communications can provide additional support to review and proofread your document, and Creative Services can provide support with additional graphics. Don't hesitate to reach out.

February 2021 School Leader Update Available

The Feb. 2021 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available.

Reminder: Leave Policy Change: Sick Leave Can Now Be Used for Preventive Exams & Vaccinations

As more vaccines become available to AEA staff, this has prompted the Agency to take a closer look at its sick leave policy. In the past, sick leave was not allowed to be used for preventive exams or appointments; instead, OPL was the preferred leave category to be used. Going forward, the Agency will allow staff to use sick leave for preventive exams and appointments, including receiving vaccinations. New sick leave guidelines are below: 

Sick Leave (self) is available for personal illness or injury or for a medical appointment related to a chronic or ongoing condition as well as leave related to routine, preventive care such as a physical, vaccination, dental appointment or eye exam. Sick Leave (self) cannot be used to care for sick family members. A report from the staff member's physician is required for absences of five days or longer or upon the request of Human Resources or designee. 

As a reminder, when scheduling preventive exams and appointments, including vaccination appointments, please do your best to schedule outside of working hours (if and where providers are open after work hours). If you are unable to do so, you may request time off through the Leave Online system and use Sick Leave (self). 

If you have any questions, contact Nia Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources.

February 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the Feb. 9, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.