The Channel

May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Central Rivers AEA is a Make It OK organization. Custom shirts to preorder from our Central Rivers AEA Empowered students are coming soon! Check out the information below and watch for more information at your April regional meeting and in May’s edition of The Channel.

Let’s Make It OK to have a Mental Illness
It’s OK to have a mental illness – many of us do. Nearly one in five Americans live with a mental illness. It’s more common than diabetes (1 in 10) or left-handed people. Mental illnesses can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, religion or income. However, because of stigma, people may delay seeking treatment or support. The sooner people get treatment, the greater their chances of recovery.

We are part of a local effort to change hearts and minds about the negative attitudes and misconceptions about mental illnesses. This effort is part of a campaign called Make It OK, which encourages starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illnesses to help reduce the stigma.

How can you Make It OK? Start talking.
Mental illnesses are treatable health conditions just like physical illnesses, such as diabetes. When we learn more and start talking openly about mental illnesses, we help to stop the stigma, change the culture and offer support for those living with a mental illness.

Many people often get tongue-tied or are just not sure how to respond when someone shares with them about their mental illness. Consider this, if you don’t know what to say – think about what you would say to someone who just told you they had cancer or diabetes, and say that.

• “Can I drive you to an appointment or make a meal?”
• “I’m sorry to hear that. It must be tough.”
• “I’m here for you when you need me.”
• “How are you feeling today?” 

Visit MakeItOk.org to learn more about the campaign and “What to Say.”

Take the Pledge! 
The first step in helping to stop the silence is to take the pledge to Make It OK. By signing this pledge, you’re taking a stand against the mental illness stigma. Pass it on. Print it out. Tape it up. It can serve as a reminder to start more conversations and stop the stigma. Together, we can Make It OK. Take the pledge and Make It OK. 

Interactive Online Learning Experiences
Dive into the Make It OK interactive experiences at your own pace to learn more about how you can help Make It OK.

The 2023 All-Staff Kickoff meeting will be held on Friday, August 18. Please add this date to your calendar. The meeting will be held in the Cedar Falls Conference Center and attendance is mandatory for all Central Rivers AEA employees.

The Equity Committee has been working on crafting a Central Rivers AEA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statement. Recently approved by the CRAEA Board of Directors, the official agency DEI statement can be found below.

Central Rivers AEA is committed to living and honoring the beliefs and values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Diversity: We value and are dedicated to increased diversity (race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origin, religious commitments, age, ability) for all within our agency structure and practices. We commit to proactive actions to enhance diversity practices and representation at Central Rivers AEA.

Equity: We believe that our policies, practices, procedures and structures should provide equitable opportunities and resources for all. We work to challenge bias and eliminate discrimination and harassment.

Inclusion: We are committed to fostering an environment where differences and diverse perspectives and experiences are sought, respected, valued and welcomed. We pledge to implement policies, practices, procedures and structures that foster brave spaces for all voices to be heard.

Central Rivers AEA is cultivating a workplace in which everyone feels welcome, provided with equitable opportunities and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Join us on Monday, April 17 for our next Courageous Conversations! Courageous Conversations are a space, either virtual or in person, for staff to gather for 30 minutes to have guided conversations, ask questions and learn about DEI topics.

Want to submit questions or comments anonymously to discuss during the bi-monthly meetings? Would you like to facilitate a meeting? Do you have general thoughts or questions about DEI+belonging that you would like to submit anonymously? Fill out the “Courageous Conversations” Google survey. Meeting information can be found below. *All meetings are from 11-11:30 am.

• April 17, May 1, May 15, June 12, June 26 (*All bi-weekly meeting Zoom links can also be found on the CRAEA Master Google calendar.)
• Join the Zoom meeting: https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/6050295031
• Zoom ID: 605 029 5031
• Padlet: https://padlet.com/cvanbuskirk4/9kmkgeeklejy5sdx
• Meetings Overviews Google document

More information can be found on the “Courageous Conversations” page on our staff website. Please reach out to Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with any questions.

Did you know… Microaggressions are the tiny, casual, almost imperceptible insults and degradation often felt by any marginalized group?

• • They are brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative slights and insults to the target person or group.
  • Examples: Doing imitations of accents, mistaking someone for someone else of the same ethnicity/race, speaking over or interrupting someone in meetings, especially women or other underrepresented groups.
  • *For the recipients, they are exhausting and chip away at self-confidence and belonging.

If you are unsure how to respond to them, check out this resource for helpful tips. Another way to respond could be, “I’m sure you weren’t trying to be rude, but I’ve been learning about this at work and I think these resources would be helpful.” Own it for yourself first – I didn’t realize I was doing this. Be aware of common day stigmas. Awareness is the first step! Remember, this work is not a destination – it’s a journey!

Central Rivers AEA is offering adult first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/automated external defibrillator (AED) training at each of our offices at no charge to the first 30 Central Rivers AEA employees who submit a PD request and register for the training. Space is limited to 12 participants per location and open to those outside of Central Rivers AEA. *When submitting a PD request, do not use EQ. Important course information can be found below.

• 9 am – 1 pm
• Employees are responsible for registering for the course.
• April 17 – CRAEA Marshalltown office
• April 26 – CRAEA Cedar Falls office
• May 2 – CRAEA Clear Lake office

Course Title: #205253 CR – Adult First Aid/CPR/AED
This course covers CPR and AED usage for adults as well as topics like sudden illness, life-threatening bleeding, injuries and environmental emergencies. Certification lasts for two years. The cost per participant is $120. If you have any questions, please contact Kay Schmalen, Director of Professional Learning.

A reminder to all staff that the “CRAEA Master Calendar” is available to keep in-the-know for large team meetings and agency meetings such as Courageous Conversations, monthly board meetings and Coffee with The Chief. Click on the following link to add the CRAEA Master Calendar and stay up to date with 2023-24 events.

Link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y18wMjBpZzI3NHFhamlvanNwY2F2b3U2Z21rZ0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

Need support? Contact the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

The wait is over – our new Central Rivers AEA online storefront through Iowa Sports Supply is now open! Store items have been hand chosen to complement our agency brand and provide employees with a wide variety of options. The storefront is linked on our staff website under the Business Office/Human Resources page > Central Rivers AEA branded online storefront. Important ordering information can be found below.

There are three ways to pick up your order.

1. Pickup at Iowa Sports Supply in Cedar Falls (free).
2. Deliver to Cedar Falls Central Rivers AEA office (free) – then we can deliver via van mail to your school or CRAEA office.
3. Flat rate fee of $10 to ship directly to your home.

For questions or ordering assistance, please contact our Iowa Sports Supply sales rep, Alex Oakland, at alexoakland@iowasports.com or call (319)-268-0125. If you have questions regarding deliveries to the Cedar Falls Central Rivers AEA location, please contact Contessa Van Buskirk, Central Rivers AEA Communication Specialist at cvanbuskirk@centralriversaea.org.

Take some time on Wednesday, April 26 to recognize our outstanding office support team during Administrative Professionals Day! This group of staff working in our offices are instrumental in keeping the agency running smoothly and ensuring all staff have what they need to do their jobs. We couldn’t do what we do without them!

Caring for children can be a journey – let’s support one another! Starting on Thursday, April 20, there will be monthly Parent/Guardian/Caretaker support group meetings held at the Central Rivers AEA Clear Lake office. Important details can be found below.

• Meetings will be held from 12:30–2 pm, or 5:30–7 pm, every third Thursday of the month.
• They will be held only at the Clear Lake office location at this time.
• The support group is for all parents, guardians and caretakers of children ages birth–21.

Please fill out the Google Form to RSVP. Check out the flyer or reach out to Loni Jorgenson, Family Educator Partnership Coordinator, or Kandi Bienfang-Lee, School Social Worker, for questions or information.

Central Rivers AEA is again participating in the Des Moines Register Top Workplaces survey as part of our continuous focus on organizational health! You should have received an email on Monday, February 27 that includes an access link to the survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and provide us with your valuable feedback by March 12.

While the survey is good information, we hope that you aren’t waiting for the survey to share your thoughts/ideas. Our goal is to foster an environment where you feel comfortable sharing any thoughts or concerns as they arise, not just during the annual survey. *Energage, an independent research company, is conducting the survey. To protect your confidentiality, they will not disclose your specific responses to us. A few additional things to note…

• If you do not receive the survey email within the next two weeks, please check your spam or junk email for a message from “Energage Survey.” To open the survey invitation, you may have to confirm the email is not spam. 
• If you delete the survey email accidentally, you will receive a reminder message within a few days that includes another access link.
• Please do not forward the survey email to a colleague. Each email has a unique code to prevent multiple responses from a single person.

Plan now to join Chief Administrator, Sam Miller, and incoming Chief Administrator, Joel Pedersen, on Friday, April 28, at 9 am for virtual updates on agency events and current trends in K-12 education. This is a great opportunity to get to know Joel and have any of your questions or concerns answered! So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and join us in welcoming Joel.

Join via Zoom:

• https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/87609674396
• Meeting ID: 876 0967 4396
• One tap mobile +16469313860,,87609674396# US

Need support? Contact the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231. If you missed the last Coffee with The Chief, the link to the recording and passcode to view can be found below.

• February 24 – Coffee with The Chief recording
• Passcode: 9d#3ee*. (Please note, there is a period in the end that is a part of the password.)

The virtual all-staff meeting to honor our retirees will take place on Friday, May 26. Please join us as we celebrate those retiring! The celebration will begin at 9 am and more details will be available in an upcoming edition of The Channel.

Following Dr. Beverly Plagge’s (Regional Administrator, Region 1) announcement of her retirement effective June 30, the agency welcomes Melissa Hesner, Brena Huber and Dana Harskamp to new roles!

• Effective July 1, Melissa Hesner will become Regional Administrator for Region 1, succeeding Dr. Plagge.
• Brena Huber has been selected to take Melissa’s place as Regional Administrator in Region 7.
• Dana Harskamp has been selected to serve as Assistant Regional Administrator in Region 7, replacing Brena.

Melissa joined the agency in 2011 as a science consultant, consultant for school improvement and AIW lead coach. Her career as a professional educator started as a high school science teacher in the Postville Community School District. Melissa has also taught high school and middle school science in the East Buchanan Community School District.

Brena joined the agency in 2016 as a Team Representative before transitioning to the Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) lead. Prior to that, she worked as a special education teacher, autism specialist and school psychologist in Arizona.

Dana joined the agency in 2021 as a Consultant for School Improvement. She has served for over 20 years in both urban and rural settings as a building administrator, instructional coach, teacher and consultant in both Iowa and Omaha school districts.

Congrats to all on your new positions!

Caring for children can be a journey – let’s support one another! Starting on Thursday, April 20, there will be monthly Parent/Guardian/Caretaker support group meetings held at the Central Rivers AEA Clear Lake office. Important details can be found below.

• Meetings will be held from 12:30–2 pm, or 5:30–7 pm, every third Thursday of the month.
• They will be held only at the Clear Lake office location at this time.
• The support group is for all parents, guardians and caretakers of children ages birth–21.

Please reach out to Loni Jorgenson, Family Educator Partnership Coordinator, for questions or information.

Interested in engaging in courageous conversations?
Join us on March 6 for our next Courageous Conversations! Courageous Conversations are a space, either virtual or in person, for staff to gather for 30 minutes to have guided conversations, ask questions and learn about DEI topics.

Want to submit questions or comments anonymously to discuss during the bi-monthly meetings? Would you like to facilitate a meeting? Do you have general thoughts or questions about DEI+belonging that you would like to submit anonymously? Fill out the “Courageous Conversations” Google survey. Meeting information can be found below. *All meetings are from 11-11:30 am.

• March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15 *(All bi-weekly meeting Zoom links can also be found on the CRAEA Master Google calendar.)
• Join the Zoom Meeting: https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/6050295031
• Zoom ID: 605 029 5031
• Padlet: https://padlet.com/cvanbuskirk4/9kmkgeeklejy5sdx
• Meeting Overviews Google document

More information can be found on the “Courageous Conversations” page on our staff website. Please reach out to Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with any questions.

Did you know… Individuals may identify as African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino or other? 

• Black and African American are not always interchangeable.
• Some people prefer the term black because they do not identify as African and/or American.
• Use the term preferred by the group or individual.
• Do not say “the Blacks.” And never, ever, ever “negro” the “n-word” or “colored.”