Author: cvanbuskirk

To support a timely staff replacement selection process and assist in budget planning, the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors approved an incentive be provided for Certified, NUSS, CWA, Administrative Staff and River Hills School staff who provide early notification of their intent to resign or retire at the end of the 2024-25 work year.

The proposed incentive would be administered as follows:

1. Commitments of separation by resignation or retirement at the end of the 2024-25 work year, and
2. Notification of resignation or retirement received in the Human Resources Office before January 2, 2025, and
3. Accepted by the Board no later than the regular meeting on January 8, 2025,
4. Will receive an early notification incentive payment of $2,000, payable June 20, 2025,
5. Subject to the employee fulfilling their individual employment contract obligations for the 2024-25 work year. Staff resigning or retiring who separate prior to the end of the 2024-25 work year are not eligible for the early notification incentive.
6. Staff must have worked for Central Rivers AEA for three full years to receive this incentive.
7. Staff may only receive the incentive once per their employment with Central Rivers AEA.

Please note, paraeducators at River Hills with three full years at CRAEA are eligible for early retirement. As long as you fulfill your 2024-2025 contract, you will qualify for the early retirement incentive. To qualify, notify Karl Kurt, Director of HR/Assistant Chief Administrator, by January 2, 2025, if you plan to retire or resign at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

We need volunteers*! Mark your calendars for December 7, 9 am – 12 pm, at the W Fieldhouse, Wartburg College, for the first Go Baby Go Iowa event in Waverly! Central Rivers AEA is proud to partner with Go Baby Go Iowa to make this special day happen!

Go Baby Go is a special project where health professionals, engineers, students, and volunteers team up to modify ride-on toy cars for kids with mobility challenges, giving them a fun way to move and interact.

*Volunteer Build Day is November 23, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, also at the W Fieldhouse. Join us in making a difference! Whether you want to apply for a car, sponsor a ride, volunteer, or help on Race Day, we’d love your support!

• Become a sponsor/volunteer today! Submit the registration form: https://bit.ly/3Ygfm6Q
• Drive registration form: https://forms.gle/H3KaQidxkgi61Nbh8
• Flyer for more information

For questions, contact Kimberly Sommermeyer at ksommermeyer@centralriversaea.org.

If you missed the all-staff update on October 10 via Zoom, the slide deck and recording information can be found below. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14 from 4-4:30 pm. (We will plan to send a link to the recording shortly after the meeting so you won’t need to wait until the next edition of The Channel for details!)

• October 10 meeting slides
• October 10 Zoom recording
• Zoom link for future meetings: https://aea1.zoom.us/j/93464974419?pwd=Q2hl1s1RZIcSHzDYbdAl9ARPrXdLAY.1
• Meeting ID: 934 6497 4419
• Passcode: 002870

Don’t forget to update your voicemail greeting and set an “away” message for your email during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks to let callers and emailers know when to expect a response. All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on November 28-29 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Voicemail example

“Hello, this is (your name). Our offices are closed beginning Thursday, November 28 and will reopen on Monday, December 2nd. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will return your call on the 2nd. Thank you and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Central Rivers AEA.”

Email “away” message example

Thank you for your email. I will be out of the office on Thursday and Friday, November 28-29. All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed in observance of Thanksgiving. I will respond to your email upon my return on Monday, December 2. Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please note the office closure dates for the Christmas holiday break are December 25, 2024 – January 1, 2025. Offices will reopen on Thursday, January 2.

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If you need assistance with either task, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

With winter weather almost here, be sure you are signed up to receive Central Rivers AEA weather alerts* via text, call or email regarding closings or professional learning cancellations. *If you are already signed up, you do not have to do anything.

Staff members can contact Phil Hendricks, for assistance with signing up.

Central Rivers AEA strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Continuing work done by the Equity Committee, in partnership with the Leadership Academy, we will invest in employee development initiatives to foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture. “Courageous Conversations” will be featured monthly in The Channel, offering staff opportunities for self-guided learning.

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November’s Courageous Conversations: Understanding Unconscious Bias

The exploration of bias is not about villainizing one group over another or making anyone feel guilt, shame or fear. It’s about making progress on our biases and understanding how they limit possibilities for us or others.

Common Definition: Bias is a preference for or against a thing, person or group compared with another. Biases may be held by an individual, group or an institution.

Example of Conscious Bias: Extroverts make the best leaders.

Conscious Bias	Unconscious Bias
Bias attitudes or beliefs you have that you are aware of.	Biased attitudes that exist outside of your awareness and control.
We know we are being biased, and doing it intentionally.	We aren’t aware that we hold biased attitudes or beliefs toward certain things.
Can be easily observed.	Can’t be easily observed.

Example of Unconscious Bias: When hiring, you gravitate towards an applicant because they share the same alma mater.

Helpful learning: The Neuroscience of Unconscious Bias

Recognizing bias

“Everybody is biased. The truth is, we all harbor unconscious assumptions that can get in the way of our good intentions and keep us from building authentic relationships with people different from ourselves. By becoming more self-aware, we can control knee-jerk reactions, conquer fears of the unknown, and prevail over closed mindedness. In the end, our central message is that you are not the problem – but you can be the solution.” -Dr. Tiffany Jana

Frame	Reframe
I am not biased.	Bias exists in everyone, including me.
I view things objectively.	I actively think about how bias is at play in the choices I make.

Self-awareness is KEY!

Questions/steps to consider:

• PAUSE – Give yourself a moment to reflect.
• Ask yourself – Why did I choose to say that? Why did I think that? Why did the person react in that way?
• Ask yourself – What am I assuming? Are my assumptions based on fact or experiences, or on something less concrete?
• If the “why” is not clear, ask a trusted colleague. (Depending on your role, you might not be getting “real feedback.” Ask for it. By doing so, you’ll create an environment where it’s safe to give and receive feedback.)

Unconscious Bias training opportunity

Registration for the full-day Disrupting Bias learning session, offered by Gina Weekley and MaKenzie Hakeman, is now open and will be offered at each Central Rivers AEA office location. Interested in participating? Sign up using this Google form by January 28, 2025.

Wellmark has redesigned its Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to make it easier for members to understand their cost-sharing details. The new layout provides a clearer breakdown of services, notes, and costs. Employees will begin receiving this updated EOB form soon. Please remember, the EOB is not a bill – any payments due will come directly from your provider or care facility.

If you have questions about the new EOB, feel free to contact Kevin Klobassa in the Business Office.