New Session Added to Our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training Schedule

March 27 - Johnston
Register

As shared in July 2025, Heartland AEA has transitioned our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training model to be more cost-efficient. We are now operating under a service-area-based training model. This means we will offer CPI training across the Heartland AEA service area at multiple times throughout the year. These trainings are open to any districts within the Heartland AEA service area. We will offer a series of pre-service sessions in August 2026, followed by offerings in September/October 2026 and January/February 2027.

Based on what we know at this point, we will continue to align with the Iowa Department of Education directive that Iowa’s AEAs utilize state-allocated, children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to offer CPI training, free of charge, to school districts.

Therefore, for the 2026-2027 school year, Heartland CPI training facilitators and materials will continue to be provided at no cost.

Please refer to all the training details in the CPI Communication for 2026-2027. If you have any questions, please contact Jadie Boens, Director of School and Student Support Services.

Two New Sessions Added to Our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training Schedule

Feb. 23 - Ames
Register

March 27 - Johnston
Register

As shared in July 2025, Heartland AEA has transitioned our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training model to be more cost-efficient. We are now operating under a service-area-based training model. This means we will offer CPI training across the Heartland AEA service area at multiple times throughout the year. These trainings are open to any districts/schools within the Heartland AEA service area. We will offer a series of pre-service sessions in August 2026, followed by offerings in September/October 2026 and January/February 2027.

Based on what we know at this point, we will continue to align with the Iowa Department of Education directive that Iowa’s AEAs utilize state-allocated, children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to offer CPI training, free of charge, to school districts. Therefore, for the 2026-2027 school year, Heartland CPI training facilitators and materials will continue to be provided at no cost.

Please refer to all the training details in the CPI Communication for 2026-2027. If you have any questions, please contact Jadie Boens, Director of School and Student Support Services.

AEA CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training Continues at No Cost to Districts in 2026–27

As shared in July 2025, Heartland AEA has transitioned our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training model to be more cost-efficient. We are now operating under a service-area-based training model. This means we will offer CPI training across the Heartland AEA service area at multiple times throughout the year. These trainings are open to any districts/schools within the Heartland AEA service area. We will offer a series of pre-service sessions in August 2026, followed by offerings in September/October 2026 and January/February 2027.

Based on what we know at this point, we will continue to align with the Iowa Department of Education directive that Iowa’s AEAs utilize state-allocated, children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to offer CPI training, free of charge, to school districts. Therefore, for the 2026-2027 school year, Heartland CPI training facilitators and materials will continue to be provided at no cost.

Please refer to all the training details in the CPI Communication for 2026-2027.

If you have any questions, please contact Jadie Boens, Director of School and Student Support
Services.

AEA CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training Continues at No Cost to Districts in 2026–27

Heartland AEA has transitioned our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training model to be as cost-efficient as possible. We are now operating under a service-area-based training model. This means we will offer CPI training in each Heartland AEA service area at various times throughout the year. These trainings are open to any districts/schools within the Heartland AEA service area. We will offer a series of pre-service sessions in August 2026, followed by offerings in September/October 2026 and January/February 2027.

Based on what we know at this point, we will continue to align with the Iowa Department of Education's directive that Iowa’s AEAs use state-allocated children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to offer CPI training free of charge to school districts. Therefore, for the 2026-2027 school year, Heartland CPI training facilitators and materials will continue to be provided free of charge.

Please refer to all the training details in the CPI Communication for 2026-2027.

If you have any questions, please contact Jadie Boens, Director of School and Student Support

Services.

AEA CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training Continues at No Cost to Districts in 2026–27

As was shared in July 2025, Heartland AEA has transitioned our CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training model in an effort to be most cost-efficient.

What you need to know:

• Heartland AEA has shifted to a service area-based CPI training model to maximize cost efficiency.

What’s changing:

• CPI trainings will now be offered throughout each Heartland AEA service area
• Sessions will be held at multiple times during the year
• Open to all districts and schools within the Heartland AEA service area

Training timeline:

• August 2026: Pre-service sessions
• September/October 2026: Fall offerings
• January/February 2027: Winter offerings

Cost:

• CPI training will continue to be free for districts in 2026–27
• Funded through state-allocated children’s mental health school-based training dollars, per Iowa Department of Education guidance

Details:

• Full session information is available in the CPI Communication for 2026-2027

Questions?

• Contact Jadie Boens, Director of School and Student Support Services

Free CPI Training for Schools in 2025–26

The Iowa Department of Education has directed AEAs to use state-allocated children’s mental health training funds to provide CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training—at no cost—for schools during the 2025–26 school year. This means all CPI training facilitators, materials and sessions will be fully funded for districts.

Heartland AEA Trainings

• Open to all schools in the Heartland AEA service area
• Fall sessions: September / October 2025
• Winter sessions: January / February 2026

Training Format (Blended Learning)

• Online modules (2 hrs): complete prior to class
• Classroom session (3 hrs): practice application and intervention skills

The blended approach ensures that participants not only understand crisis prevention and intervention strategies but also gain hands-on practice to confidently apply them.

Who Should Attend?

• Staff with the highest likelihood of needing to be involved in physical restraint and/or seclusion
• Educators who may directly intervene in crisis situations and would benefit from de-escalation and intervention skills

View Training Dates & Register: 2025–26 CPI Training Offerings

Important Updates on CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training for 2025-26

The Iowa Department of Education has directed Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) to use state-allocated children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to provide CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training—free of charge—for school districts during the 2025-26 school year. This means all CPI training facilitators and materials will be available at no cost to Iowa schools.

Refunds for Previously Registered Trainings
Many districts and schools have already registered and paid for CPI training sessions. The Heartland AEA professional development team will be working diligently to issue refunds for these payments. With numerous sessions in progress, we thank you for your patience as this process unfolds.

If your district has not yet registered but has an upcoming confirmed training, your CPI trainer will reach out directly with registration instructions once available.

New CPI Training Model Beginning Fall 2025
To improve cost efficiency and access, Heartland AEA is transitioning its training model:

July 1 – Aug. 31, 2025: Previously scheduled district-based trainings will take place as planned. However, staff unable to attend these sessions will need to join one of the upcoming service area-based trainings (full schedule available August 2025).

September 2025 and Beyond: All CPI trainings will move to a service area-based model, with multiple opportunities available throughout the Heartland AEA region. Training sessions are planned for September/October 2025 and January/February 2026, and are open to any districts within the service area.

Next Steps

• Look for communication from your district’s assigned CPI trainer regarding registration.
• Watch for upcoming training schedules and locations.
• Ensure staff are aware of these changes and adjust training plans accordingly.

For details on the CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training - Blended Learning model, please see page 2 of the CPI communication.

With these changes, Iowa schools will have improved, equitable access to CPI training, strengthening our collective ability to support student safety and mental well-being.