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

2022 Retirement Contribution Limits and Social Security Wage Base Announced

The IRS has announced the 403(b) and 457 plan regular elective deferral contribution limits will increase for 2022: The regular elective deferral limit is $20,500 per calendar year, previously $19,500. The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and older remains at $6,500 per calendar year. Both the 403(b) and 457 plans offer additional catch-up contribution provisions. A calculation is required to determine the actual amount, if any, available under these special catch-up provisions. 

The Social Security Administration has announced the 2022 social security wage base will be $147,000. The tax rate remains the same at 6.2%. As in prior years, there is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare tax. The tax rate of 1.45% also remains unchanged. 

If you have any questions about either of these items, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist.

Reminder: New Guide Aims to Help You Communicate About Heartland AEA

Have you ever had questions about the Agency’s logo and color scheme? About what templates are available in Google? About how to submit a project to Creative Services? Or that the Agency even has a Creative Services Department? The answers to your questions are now just a page away in the new “Your Guide to Communicating About Heartland AEA.” 

The Agency’s Communications and Creative Services Departments have collaborated to produce this guide that will make communicating for and about the Agency just a little bit easier. Sections of the guide cover information such as: 

• Proper Use of the Agency’s Name, Logo and Colors 
• Preferred Agency Fonts 
• Agency Social Media 
• Document, Form and Slide Templates 
• How to Engage Creative Services in Projects 
• Proper Use of Names of Agency Locations 
• How to Order Agency Identification & Promotional Items 
• How to Promote Agency Services 
• Proper Use of Photos and Images 
• Agency Email Signature 

If you have any questions, reach out to the Communications Department.

Is Your Email Signature Up-to-Date?

Please take a minute to make sure your signature in your agency Gmail account is up-to-date. You just need to copy and paste the template into your own email and personalize the information for yourself. 

If you happen to get an error message when trying to update your signature: 

• When copying the signature in the Google Doc template, highlight from the bottom to the top. 
• In Gmail in Settings where you will paste the new signature, completely delete the existing signature (Command + A will select all) before pasting the new one. 

The preferred font is Arial; however, some staff members are seeing the font in Times New Roman. To change the font, after you have pasted your new email signature into Gmail, highlight the text and from the font dropdown in the toolbar choose "Sans Serif."

Friday Lunch & Learn to Cover Trans and Non-Binary Issues and Allyship

One Iowa is hosting a lunchtime virtual educational session on Friday, Nov. 19 at noon to mark the annual Trans Day of Remembrance. 

Max Mowitz (he/they), One Iowa’s Program Director, will cover the basics about trans and non-binary individuals and some of the biggest issues they face, effective allyship and why this day is so important for the community. This event is a great way to learn more about the trans and non-binary community and build on your advocacy. It is free, and there will be time to ask questions! Note that this event will not be recorded. 

Registration

We're Halfway Through Dependent Care FSA Enollment!

Online enrollment for 2022 Dependent Care FSAs will be open to eligible employees from Monday, Nov. 1 through Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, 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 2022 plan year must be incurred between January 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022, and must be submitted to BRI for reimbursement by March 1, 2023. 

To Enroll 

• Log in to Employee Online. 
• 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. 

Here is a helpful BRI worksheet to help you determine whether or not to participate. 



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

This Week’s Mission Monday: Google Something You're Curious About and Learn Something New!

Mission Monday is the creation of Mark Johnson and Sam Stecher. As teachers, coaches and leaders, they desired a way to consistently create connections and a sense of community in their school buildings. 

Heartland AEA and our Development Team for Safe, Supportive, Welcoming Environments want to bring this idea to our settings. Use the “Mission Accomplished” form to indicate when you have accomplished a mission, and you’ll be put in a monthly drawing for cool prizes! 

Mission for Week of Nov. 1: Curiosity is good for Wellness. What is something you're curious about lately? "Google" it and learn something about it

Mission Accomplished Form