Competitive Mental Health Grants Available to Public PK-12 Schools

On April 15, 2021, Gov. Reynolds announced that she would distribute $8.67 million of Iowa's discretionary GEER II funds for competitive mental health grants to public PK-12 schools. The purpose of the grant is to assist districts with urgent, specific or significant needs in providing mental health supports to PK-12 students that have been created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Services include coordination and delivery of mental health services and wraparound support to students, Youth/Child Mental Health First Aid training (YMHFA/Child MHFA), and suicide prevention services and programming. Competitive applications should prioritize mental health services and supports that directly impact students and families. For more information about each of the qualifying areas of mental health services and grant application process, please see Competitive Grants for Mental Health Supports for PK-12 Schools.

REMINDER! Heartland AEA Offers Youth Mental Health First Aid in Blended, In-Person and Virtual Formats

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis. Read more about YMHFA and options available to districts, including YMHFA in blended, virtual and in-person formats: YMHFA Training Options

**Child Mental Health First Aid also now available!

FCC to Launch $7.17 Billion Connectivity Fund Program for Schools and Libraries to Help Close the Homework Gap

To help schools and libraries provide devices and connectivity to students, school staff and library patrons during the pandemic, Congress established the $7.171 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

On May 10, the Federal Communications Commission released a new report and order outlining the rules of the new Emergency Connectivity Fund.

The full report may be found at: FCC to Launch $7.17 Billion Connectivity Fund Program.

Additional resources to this one-year funding: 

Emergency Connection Fund (ECF)

• FCC News Release May 10, 2021
• ECF/EBB Slides
• ECF Summary and Sam Guidelines
• Full Report and Order

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB)

• The FCC announced that consumers can begin applying for and enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program on May 12, 2021. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Congress appropriated $3.2 billion to the FCC to help low-income households pay for broadband service and connected internet devices.
• Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
• EBB Providers

 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

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter is Now Available

The Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues!

In this issue:

• 2021-22 IASL Award Ebooks and Audiobooks
• Licensing Ebooks as Class Sets
• Podcasts
• Trending Audiobook Titles, K-6
• 500+ New Audiobooks
• Audiobooks Take Center Stage
• Book Rotation Service
• Coming Soon: School Library Survey Results

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is Now Available

The Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues! In this issue:

• Intensifying Literacy Instruction: Essential Practices
• Supporting Students with Dyslexia in Core Instruction: Instruction that Works
• Summer Learning Opportunities & Reading Resources
• Improving Reading For Older Students
• Read Aloud Questions

Reach out to your Heartland AEA Literacy Consultant if you need any support.

Open to All Iowa Educators: Join Renowned Author Doug Fisher, Corwin Instructors and Heartland AEA Consultants for a Summer Learning Opportunity Like No Other!

Heartland AEA’s “Summer Learning Academy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Rebound” has been designed with area educators, for area educators. Over the past year, you’ve stretched your abilities and increased your confidence as you’ve tried new tools, new models and new ways of teaching.

The vision for our time together in the Summer Learning Academy includes:

• Augmentation of content
• Study around instruction
• Learning about assessment and feedback practices
• Perusal of technology integration

All these topics have been compiled for a steadfast rebound and rich catapult into the 2021-22 school year!

To learn more about the Academy, learning tracks and license renewal credit, view the Academy flyer and share it with your friends and colleagues!

Summer Learning Academy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Rebound
June 21-25, 202
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day
Virtual Format
$100

Registration Links
1 license renewal credit - Register Now
2 license renewal credits - Register Now
No credit/participant only - Register Now

Questions?Contact Amy Wichman or Wendy Robinson, Directors of Instructional Services, Heartland AEA.

Registration is OPEN for our Virtual Heart of Innovation Summer Summit!

The Heart of Innovation Summer Summit on June 15 and 16 is a FREE virtual conference for educators -- designed to enhance your learning and support your work to incorporate new and innovative strategies into your practice. Earn one graduate credit! Be one of the first 50 people to register and receive a Summer Summit Swag Bag!

Are you looking to earn credits or learn more about teaching and learning with technology? Check out the course listing in our newsletter!

Cognitive Coaching is Coming to Heartland AEA 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
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. Planning and reflecting will be included. Research, modeling and practice will support learning. Cognitive Coaching is a process that supports individuals working together to improve their skills in a variety of situations.

Level 1 Registration Link


Cognitive Coaching: Level 2
Cognitive Coaching (Level II) is a four-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. Research, modeling and practice will support learning. Previous participation in Level I or in the full 8-day training is required.

Level 2 Registration Link

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

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

New Student Planners are Here! Order Your School’s Today!

Quality, affordable and beautifully-designed student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA. Planners can support student engagement and awareness of school events, activities and projects. Visit Creative Services Online to choose your planner style from the many options we offer. Place your order in May to ensure delivery by the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.