The Channel

During our kickoff meeting in August, all Central Rivers AEA staff had the opportunity to participate in a game of human bingo. Staff who filled out and turned in their cards were included in a random drawing. Thank you to everyone who participated!

1. Dawn Swehla, Special Education Consultant – Cedar Falls (Montage GC from Joel)
2. Charlie Patterson, Youth Shelter Teacher – Woodhaven (Montage GC from Joel)
3. Andrea Haaland, Special Education Consultant – Cedar Falls  Montage GC from Joel)
4. Jeika Pinero, Early Access Service Coordinator – Cedar Falls (Montage GC from Joel)
5. Stacey Lyons, Work Experience Coordinator – Cedar Falls (Swag Bag)
6. Amy Gauthier, Speech Language Pathologist – Cedar Falls (Swag Bag)
7. Ryan Robison, Early Childhood Special Education Consultant – Hampton-Dumont (Swag Bag)
8. Jackie Fober, School Social Worker – Sumner-Fredericksburg (Swag Bag)

Non-certified staff are now required to take the child abuse mandatory training (link to mandatory trainings). Some important details:

• You do not need the dependent adult abuse training.
• Once the training has been completed, please fill out this google form for Human Resources (HR) recordkeeping.
• The training must be completed by October 1, 2023.
• River Hills staff will complete the training(s) when they return to work and will submit their completion as directed by their supervisor.
• See the tip sheet for other Q&A obtained from AEA Learning Online. CRAEA’s requirements are in pink.

Certified staff: Certified staff should continue to take both the child abuse and dependent adult abuse mandatory trainings to maintain their BOEE license (no changes here). Please continue to send copies of completed trainings to the HR office.

News from the BoEE (certified staff): The Divisive Concepts & Scapegoating training is now a required training for CRAEA staff who teach in a classroom (HF802).  More information can be found in the August newsletter from AEA Learning Online. If you have any questions, please contact HR.

Recently, there has been an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases among Central Rivers AEA staff. Please remember the importance of following our current COVID-19 protocols.

• If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, such as headache, muscle or body aches, fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell, notify your direct supervisor and HR immediately.
• You should stay home from work and consider getting tested for COVID-19.
• If your job responsibilities are compatible with remote work, and you are able to work, HR and your supervisor can create a schedule that meets your needs and those we serve.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, you must quarantine for five full days after your symptoms begin.
• You can return to work after five days if you are feeling better and have no fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication). However, you must wear a mask for an additional five days after you return to work.

Check out the CDC’s guidelines and recommendations during your isolation period. The Isolation and Exposure Calculator tool can be used to help check your isolation and/or quarantine dates. These protocols are designed to protect the health of everyone in our workplace. Reach out to Karl Kurt with questions.

The agency is partnering with the Hy-Vee Pharmacy to offer flu shot clinics for employees and their families. The vaccination schedule is as follows:

Monday, October 2, 2023, from 7:30-8:30 am

• Cedar Falls Office – 1521 Technology Parkway (Central Perk)
• Clear Lake Office – 9184 265th Street, Suite B (Room D)
• Marshalltown Office – 909 South 12th Street (Room F)

Friday, October 13, 2023, from 8-10 am

• River Hills School – 2700 Grand Blvd, Cedar Falls (large conference room)

Please complete the 2023 Flu Shot registration form by Monday, September 18 if you wish to participate. Please remember to bring:

• A copy of your driver’s license.
• A copy of your insurance card (front/back).
• A completed flu shot consent form

Flu shots may be covered at no cost to employees and their family members with proof of insurance. Please contact Kevin Klobassa (319-273-8202) with any questions.

As a cybersecurity measure, all Central Rivers AEA staff are required to change their credentials every 180 days. These credentials are used to log into your laptop and access your Google account. Two weeks before your password needs to be changed, you will begin receiving reminder emails on a daily basis informing you that your password must be changed within the timeframe indicated in the email. The sample email below illustrates what you will receive starting two weeks before your credentials must be changed.

Please contact the Help Desk with questions. Thank you for your vigilance in helping us stay cyber-safe!

The new Technology Request Catalog is now operational, ensuring the equitable allocation of staff technology resources. This refined approach will enhance our technology request management, provide inventory tracking, and elevate our ability to cater to the specific needs of our staff. Here’s how the new process works:

1. Go to the Employee Dashboard (Classlink OneClick).
2. Select the yellow “Tech Support” folder and choose the “Technology Request Catalog” icon.

3. You can request a tech item/equipment by locating the item, selecting “Add to Cart,” inputting the relevant information, and then selecting “Confirm Cart.”

4. Once you have submitted your request, it is now ready for review. 
5. All requests made from the blue “Specialized Technology ”category will notify your supervisor of your request. These specialized requests will then go to Cabinet for final approval based on job duties and individual needs. 
6. If approved, you will receive a notice that your item is ready for pickup from the Help Desk. At that time, you may request the item be sent to you at another location for pickup. 

This new process aims to eliminate unnecessary delays, enhance transparency, and centralize the technology request handling for a smoother and more efficient experience. If you have an issue or question about the new system, email the Help Desk or call them at (319)-273-8231.

Congratulations to our full Central Rivers AEA team! Based entirely on the employee feedback captured with the Workplace Survey administered in February, Central Rivers AEA received the coveted “gold” designation for the second year in a row!

According to the Des Moines Register Top Workplaces officials, “your Top Workplaces win is proof positive Central Rivers AEA puts its people first.”

The 2023 Central Rivers AEA Top Iowa Workplace email signature template is now available. Over the next few weeks, your email signature will automatically be updated. The content of your email signature is derived from the staff directory; your email, professional headshot, title, phone number and office location. Double-check the staff directory to make sure the information is accurate. If any of your information is inaccurate or incomplete, please reach out to your region’s administrative assistant.

(We are aware of a minor formatting issue with how the signature appears on mobile IOS devices. At this time, there does not appear to be a solution. The information in your signature will still appear and be digitally accessible, but the formatting may be slightly off.)

The Equity Committee strives to ensure all voices are heard and represented as we continue our work and would like to add a few additional members. If you are interested in joining the committee please reach out to Dr. Dana Miller or MaKenzie Hakeman.

We are excited to continue our Courageous Conversations! Courageous Conversations is a space, either virtual or in person, for staff to gather for 30-45 minutes to have guided conversations, ask questions, and learn about DEI topics. Each month a topic for conversation will be shared and we will offer two opportunities to engage in the conversation regarding the topic. All Central Rivers AEA staff are welcome to join!

Want to submit questions or comments anonymously to discuss during the bi-monthly meetings? Are there certain days of the week or times of day that would work better for you? Do you have general thoughts or questions about DEI+belonging that you would like to submit anonymously? Fill out the “Courageous Conversations” Google survey.

More information can be found on the “Courageous Conversations” page on our staff website. Please reach out to Dr. Dana Miller with any questions.

Would you like a safe place to communicate with people who share similar identities and/or experiences? An employee resource group is a workplace affinity group organized around a shared interest or identity. ERGs give employees an opportunity to connect with people who may share similar identities and/or experiences. These are supportive, safe, brave spaces; to discuss various topics, experiences, concerns, and possible solutions that may be impacting the community without fear, judgment, or repercussions.

ERGs provide an opportunity for support for those who are members of protected classes or marginalized communities. ERG members (with the support of a liaison of similar identity or you) are encouraged to bring forward concerns that surface to help the agency make changes to ensure all staff feel welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to work.

Initially, these groups will be limited to those with identities of protected classes and are members of historically marginalized communities. ERG groups may expand to include allies and other topics in the future.

If you are interested in joining an ERG please complete this Google Survey. This information will not be shared with others. It will be used to create the groups and aid in facilitating communication. If you are not comfortable completing the form or would like additional information please reach out to Dr. Dana Miller.

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. Register online through the AEA Professional Learning system.

Course Description: Join us for a full-day learning session* that will provide a framework to disrupt bias behaviors. Bias limits our ability to make the best decisions for our teachers, our students, and our families. The awareness of our biases is foundational to becoming more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Unconscious bias is something everyone has and that doesn’t make us bad; it makes us human. Through this session, you will be able to recognize bias, disrupt bias, learn how to choose courage, and increase your connections! *This training is for Central Rivers AEA Staff only!

Course information to register:

• November 30, 2023 – Marshalltown office (Section #317831)
• February 29, 2024 – Clear Lake office (Section #317832)
• May 20, 2024 – Cedar Falls office (Section #317833)

Check out the flyer for more information or reach out to MaKenzie Hakeman with questions.

Contact Manager is a tool created to allow staff to send email messages to targeted groups of educators. This is a great tool for promoting your professional learning opportunities or meetings that are targeted toward specific audiences.

How do I use Contact Manager?

1. Go to: http://contactmanager.centralriversaea.org
2. If you are not signed in, click the “Sign in with Google” Button and follow the prompts to sign in through Google.
3. Click “Search Contacts” to begin.
4. Select the criteria from the options on the page to narrow your search from all the educators our agency serves to only those in your desired group.
5. Click the “search” button at the bottom of the page.
6. Select individuals or all the members of this group to email (create labels for and/or export into a spreadsheet) by using the check boxes next to each name.
7. Then, click your desired action at the bottom of the page (Email Selected Contacts, Export Selected Contacts, Generate Labels).
8. Follow the steps on the screen to finish.

Who do I contact for help?

• Beth Strike, Director of Creative Services/Communications
• Kristine Kienzle, Technical Support Manager for Media

Note: These directions are archived on the Staff Website>Communications>Contact Manager for future reference.

Join us in Marshalltown on September 14 & 20!

If you have yet to experience a two-day INspired Leadership Workshop or haven’t attended in the past three years, you might wish to check out the fall workshop dates and locations. Registration is now available in the AEA Professional Learning System. Contact Dr. Leslie Moore with any questions.

Looking for an Empowering Podcast?

As the creator of The Life Coach School, Brooke Castillo has built a $50 million dollar business helping people with thought work. When we can manage our minds and the thoughts we tell ourselves, the possibilities are limitless! Check out nine years’ worth of podcasts by searching Brooke Castillo and The Life Coach School on your favorite platform for recordings and transcripts!

Awareness of Internal Energy Micro-credential: Stipend Continued for 2023-24!

All staff have a personalized opportunity to heighten awareness of their internal core energy levels in order to enhance relationships and meet their personal and professional goals. Check out the Awareness of Internal Energy micro-credential available in CRAEA’s On-Demand Library! Staff who demonstrate and submit evidence of meeting all success criteria will earn the micro-credential badge. If you are employed directly by CRAEA and it is earned before June 30, 2024, you are eligible for $250. Learn more or log in now and register in CRAEA’s On-Demand Library by selecting “Micro-credential” in the “Categories” dropdown. You will also need to register in the AEA Professional Learning System. You have the opportunity to register as a “participant only” for $0 or to earn License Renewal Credit for $35. If you have registration questions, please contact Angie Gansen, Professional Learning Registration System Coordinator.

All agency documents and presentation materials that staff create to present to their school districts or in team meetings are expected to follow official Central Rivers AEA branding guidelines to maintain a consistent look. When writing for the website (including blogs), please use the online writing guide, which includes important accessibility information. If you have accessibility questions, please review the Accessibility Module.

The Communication Guides and Agency Templates page on the staff website offers many Central Rivers AEA branded resources. Some reminders to staff:

• If you want a custom Google Slide theme, you can place an order through Creative Services.
• Do not create your own themes from scratch or by editing/customizing copies of the themes found in the Google Slide gallery.
• The Branding, Copyright, Accessibility & LMS Guidelines presentation is the “one-stop-shop” resource for all guidelines.

If you have questions regarding branding guidelines and requirements, please reach out to Beth Strike, Director of Communications & Creative Services or Contessa Van Buskirk, Communications Specialist, for assistance.

Whether you are new to Central Rivers AEA or had a recent title change, business cards are available to staff and can be ordered through Creative Services. The order form can be found on the staff website under Resources. Contact Randy Darst, Print Facilitator, with questions.