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

Here's a Refresher on the Overnight Travel & Professional Development Activity Guidelines

While we know travel has been upended by the pandemic, we know it will return in due time.  Since we are in a new fiscal year, take a look at the guidelines to refresh your memory about the items required for overnight travel and those related to agency professional development activities. They are available on the Intranet > Business Office > Expense Reimbursement/Overnight Travel & Professional Development. 

Overnight Travel & Professional Development Activity Guidelines

New Resources Around Seclusion & Restraint Hot Off the Press from Department of Education

The Iowa Department of Education has recently published new resources for educators around seclusion and restraint (Chapter 103). A new Top 10 Points About Chapter 103 is available on the Department’s Seclusion and Restraint webpage.

• Top 10 Points About Chapter 103
• Iowa Department of Education Seclusion and Restraint webpage

Down Dog Offering Its App For No Cost Through Jan. 1, 2022

The Down Dog Meditation app is now free until Jan. 1, 2022! Get a new guided or sleep meditation every day. 

They’ve also extended the free period for students, teachers and healthcare workers for all of the apps through the end of the year. 

If you’re already signed up for that program, your free subscription will be extended automatically. If you'd like to sign up: 

• Anyone who signs up with a .edu email will automatically have access until Jan. 1, 2022 
• Students and teachers (K-12 and colleges) can sign up on the schools page
• Healthcare workers can sign up on the healthcare page

Please share this with the students, teachers and healthcare workers in your lives and thank them for all they do!

New: July 2021 Early Intervention & Special Education Release Notes Available

The Early Intervention & Special Education Release Notes have been updated and posted on the Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website as of July 1, 2021.

July 2021 Release Notes

These updates will be covered at August regional meetings, but if you have any questions prior to that time, don't hesitate to contact your regional director, Kristi Upah, Sara Mercer or Amy Hanken. 

Summer HeartBeat -- July 2021

Recognizing Retirees

Happy Retirement to Maureen Schletzbaum! 

Maureen Schletzbaum 

Family & Educator Coordinator 

20 years of service 

Maureen retired on June 30 after 20 years of service to the Agency. Maureen says, “Our daughter Marissa’s business, Straw Hat Farms, will fill up my time as well as our two grandchildren, Grace, 3, and Sam, 1. I have greatly enjoyed my job over the years being able to support educators and families with children who have special needs to be as successful as possible and obtain available resources. Thank you for all the opportunities I have had and friendships I have made over the years.” 

Information Systems Staff & Others Honor Howell at Retirement Reception 

Rod Howell, former Information Systems Manager, was honored with a retirement reception at the beginning of June. Among other celebrants, the Agency’s Information Systems staff gathered for a photo as they sent their former supervisor off into retirement. 

Pictured, front row, left to right: Maureen Whited (Information Systems Support Coordinator/JO), David Kyle (Computer Software Engineer/JO), Chris Hampton (Systems Analyst/JO) and Mien Tran (Systems Analyst/JO). Back row, Doug Schuster (Systems Analyst/JO), Monte Heeren (Database Administrator/Systems Engineer/JO), DeAnna Graham (Systems Analyst/JO), Bryan Carlton (Computer Software Engineer/JO), Sean Boyle (Computer Software Engineer Tech Lead/JO) and Rod Howell.