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

For Those Who Get COVID-19 or Need to Quarantine: FFCRA Leave Will End June 30, 2021

As a reminder, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides extra leave in certain circumstances for those affected by COVID-19, was extended by Heartland AEA and will run through June 30, 2021. 

After that date, if you are affected by COVID-19 and/or are required to quarantine, you will need to use your appropriate agency leave (sick, sick family, OPL or vacation) depending on the circumstances, and you may need to use unpaid leave if the situation arises. Remember, if you are vaccinated, current CDC guidance doesn’t require you to quarantine if you are exposed to COVID-19, which means no time off will need to be taken. 

If you have questions about the ending of FFCRA leave, contact the Human Resources Department.

Have You Submitted a Proposal for the All-Staff Meeting Yet?

All-Staff Meeting 
Sept. 24, 2021 
Hy-Vee Hall, Des Moines 

Call for Presenters for Sept. 24 All-Staff Meeting 

The Agency is looking forward to another year of employee engagement through staff presentations at our All-Staff Meeting! 

Save Sept. 24, 2021, on your calendar for a “most of the day” meeting that will again feature an afternoon of presentations from YOU! Like in past years, there will be continued opportunities for staff to showcase their work and accomplishments. Our call for presenters will allow you and your colleagues the option of choosing to present an afternoon session or a morning informational table/poster session or both. 

• Morning Informational Table AND/OR Poster Session: If departments or workgroups would like to showcase their work via a table display and/or poster session, that option will be available for an hour before the meeting begins. 
• Afternoon Presentation: Select a 20-25 minute session or 60-minute session that can be presented in any format you prefer. Topics can be personal or professional. 

How to Submit a Proposal 

If you or a team of your co-workers are interested in presenting, complete this presentation application by June 1, 2021. After all proposals have been submitted, you will be notified if your presentation or table display has been accepted. 

When planning your presentation, think about how it reflects, educates, touches on or celebrates in the areas of: 

• Social-Emotional Learning and self-care 
• Innovative or transformative practices that led to success (with students, with teams, with practices) 
• Celebrating YOU: sharing your successes, what you’re proud of, both professional or personal 

This approach to learning during our All-Staff meeting gives us a unique opportunity to feel the pulse of the Agency in just a few hours, to connect, learn and celebrate together. These presentations showcase your expertise, your passion and your innovation. So don’t be shy—show your work! Submit your presentation application by June 1, 2021! 

If you have any questions, contact the Communications Department.

Reminder: Cognitive Coaching to be Offered In-person at Johnston REC This Summer

If you have been trying to get into a Cognitive Coaching course, now is your chance! Registration is open for summer sessions. Follow the links below for more information. 

Cognitive Coaching: Level 1 - Registration 

Cognitive Coaching (Level 1) is a 4-day experience during which participants will build their communication and self-directedness through the process of becoming intentional about mediating for someone else’s effectiveness. Cognitive Coaching is a process that supports individuals working together to improve their skills in a variety of situations. This is an evaluator approval licensure renewal option for administrators.  

Cognitive Coaching: Level 2 - Registration 

Cognitive Coaching (Level II) is a 4-day experience during which participants will build their communication and problem-solving skills through the process of becoming intentional about how they mediate for someone else’s effectiveness. The problem-solving conversation will be presented, and the planning and reflecting maps will be reviewed. Previous participation in Level I or in the full 8-day training is required. Cognitive Coaching is a process that supports individuals working together to improve their skills. 

If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.

Summer is Getting Closer -- See How to Set Your Off-Contract or Vacation Out-of-Office Message in Zoom Phone

Our Zoom Phone guru David Hammer will show you how to set your off-contract/vacation message in Zoom Phone.