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

2020-21: Lessons Learned & Thank Yous

As the 2020-21 school year comes to a close, I’d like to share some thoughts and a huge thank you with all of you. 

Lessons Learned 

I believe we’ve learned a great deal on a variety of fronts over the past 15 months, and I want us to apply that learning to our work going forward. We’ve learned: 

• We can pivot very quickly in response to any health crisis. 
• How to work smarter and with more flexibility. 
• How to use new technologies and better use those already at our disposal. 
• How to gather information from our staff and districts quickly and efficiently. 
• The critical importance of ongoing communication and even over-communication. 
• How to really take care of each other, which is the most important thing we’ve learned. Caring has always been our most important core value, and the events of the last year have given us the opportunity to exercise that core value like never before. 

Please know that we will apply all these lessons going forward. I don’t believe our organization will ever again look like it did in January 2020. 

Simply Put, Thank You 

So, what else does one say at the end of a year like this? I am finding it very difficult to verbalize an adequate message, and the more I reflect on the last 15 months, the more I find myself wanting to simply say “thank you.” 

Each and every one of you has my eternal thanks for making the past year one of the most gratifying in my career. Being your chief administrator through this global crisis has been a humbling experience, but it has also been my personal pleasure to watch you go about your work with such commitment and professionalism. Thank you for your very hard work. Thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your service to others. 

I’ve said it many times over the past year, but I really do believe the pandemic brought out the very best in our organization. It would have been easy to become overwhelmed and defeated. Instead of stepping down, though, you stepped up to the challenge. You stepped up to support one another and provide quality service in new ways. You stepped up to provide desperately needed support to schools and families and keep our agency facilities open and safe during one of the most uncertain periods in our history. All of this was done with courage and with minimal complaint. It is humbling and inspiring. 

Again, thank you for the servant heart you have all shown this year. I hope you will take some time this summer to reflect on just how special this time has been and take pride in what you were able to accomplish. Have a great summer, and I’ll see you in August! 

Jon

Reminder: 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.

Last Call! Submit Your Application to Present at the Sept. 24 All-Staff Meeting!

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.

Off Contact This Summer? Still Check Your Agency Email

As many of you are transitioning to summer break, the Heartland AEA leadership team asks that staff who have time off during the summer check their agency email at least once a week during June, July and August.

The Agency relies heavily on email to communicate valuable agency and regional messages and timely responses are oftentimes requested. If you have any questions about this request, contact your supervisor.

June 2021 School Leader Update Available

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

In this issue: Celebrating successes and preparing for opportunities ahead, New course offerings coming to Iowa e-Learning Central; existing courses will be retired on July 1, Some families eligible for discounted broadband service, IDEA Data Profiles available, Spring Student Reporting in Iowa season reminders, Assessment Accountability: A reminder to public districts, Meal flexibilities for next school year, School nutrition summer training, Agricultural Educators Conference, June 28-30, STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program, Preparing for Fall 2021 myIGDIs Administration and Choose Iowa Student Culinary Competition Results. 

NOTE: School Leader Update is transitioning to a quarterly publication. Future issues will be published in August, November, February and May.

Iowa Department of Education Awards Over $1.6 Million in Therapeutic Classroom Grants to Six School Districts

Last week the Iowa Department of Education awarded over $1.6 million in competitive grants to six school districts to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners whose social-emotional or behavioral needs impact their ability to be successful in their current learning environment.   

“This grant supports school districts taking that next step to further support their students being healthy and productive in the classroom,” said Gov. Reynolds. “As we move past the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa must continue to work collaboratively with schools, mental health regions, and our Area Education Agencies to support students and their whole health.”  

“I am proud of the work our schools do every day to expand educational opportunities in new ways to meet the needs of all students,” said Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo. “I commend these schools and their community partners on plans for building and strengthening a continuum of therapeutic supports for students.” The six districts selected for a one-time Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant include: 

• Ames Community School District 
 
• Clinton Community School District
 
• Eastern Allamakee Community School District
 
• Hinton Community School District
 
• Mount Pleasant Community School District
 
• Washington Community School District
   

The Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant was established through state legislation signed into law last year and is part of a statewide effort to increase mental health supports for children, youth and families. Therapeutic supports include such things as social-emotional skill building, skills to cope with stress and trauma, mental health treatment and crisis intervention and follow-up.   

In determining awards, equity across small, medium and large districts, distribution across Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) regions, the total number of students to be served and planned collaboration between districts, Area Education Agencies (AEAs) and community mental health providers were taken into consideration. Proposals submitted by the six awarded districts will serve nearly 150 PK-12 students and will expand mental health supports for youth across five of the state’s MHDS regions and six of the AEA regions.    

Grants will be distributed no later than August 1, 2021, for district implementation during the 2021-2022 school year.   

More information about Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grants is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.