The Channel

Many employees are receiving emails regarding a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association class action settlement.  The email contains a unique ID and links to a website with additional information. 

• This email is not a phishing attempt.  There is a pending BCBS class action settlement that may allow individuals who were covered under a BCBS policy (Wellmark) to receive settlement funds. 
• Your receipt of this email is not a guarantee that you will receive a settlement payment. 
• Individuals who didn’t receive an email may still be eligible to file a claim.
• Health Plan Name: Wellmark BCBS of Iowa
• Central Rivers AEA Group No: 36927
• Employer Address: Central Rivers Area Education Agency, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50613

 For more information on eligibility, the claim process, and to file a claim please go directly to the settlement website.

Our office buildings and grounds are always looking spotless thanks to our custodial/maintenance team!  While they may be more behind-the-scenes, their hard work does not go unnoticed.

Cedar Falls Office:

• Gus Delamore, Supervisor of Buildings/Maintenance
• Gloria Hill, Lead Custodian/Maintenance
• Beth Kidder, Lead Custodian/Maintenance
• Don Brown, Substitute Custodian

Clear Lake Office:

• Gregory Hampton, Custodian
• Skyler Wood, Lead Custodian/Maintenance

Marshalltown Office:

• Lenny Hogendorn, Lead Custodian/Maintenance

River Hills School:

• Steven Hines, Lead Custodian/Maintenance
• Paul Onodinga, Custodian – 2nd Shift
• Douglas Sarauer, Custodian – 2nd Shift

Central Rivers AEA has four director districts open for re-election in December 2021. The four director districts up for re-election are: 

• Director District 1: Districts represented: Central Springs, Clear Lake, Forest City, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Lake Mills, North Iowa, Northwood-Kensett, St. Ansgar, and West Hancock.
• Director District 2: Districts represented: Charles City, Dike-New Hartford, Dunkerton, Nashua-Plainfield, Sumner-Fredericksburg, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley, and Waverly-Shell Rock.
• Director District 7: Districts represented: Cedar Falls, Denver, and Janesville.
• Director District 8: District represented: Waterloo.

A Statement of Candidacy must be filed with the AEA board secretary no later than October 15, 2021.  Statement of Candidacy forms can be obtained by contacting Lori Thomas, Board Secretary at 319-273-8201. 

The board of directors for each school district will vote to select one candidate to serve as their representative on the AEA board and must return their official ballots by November 30, 2021. The successful candidate will be determined by a weighted voting process and sworn in to serve a four-year term during the annual, organizational meeting of the CRAEA board on December 8, 2021. 

A special “thank you” to an existing client for this request! ASI has recently released a new mobile app feature that allows participants to track and be reimbursed for medical mileage claims!

In addition to filing claims, and now, mileage claims, participants can also view their annual election amount, account balance, payments, contributions, and previously submitted claims.

ASI’s app is free and available online at www.asiflex.com or through Google Play or the App Store.  ASI prides itself on being forward thinking with technology. Do you have a new feature you’d like to see on the app or online? Let us know at marketing@asiflex.com

Avoid USPS Mail delivery delays
With the recent increase in postage costs, and the many consolidations of processing facilities, the USPS has indicated there will be mail delivery delays. Plan participants can avoid these delays and get reimbursements and communications instantly!

Simply go to asiflex.com, login to the Employee Portal, go to Account Settings and sign up for:

• Direct deposit – No need to wait for check reimbursements. Participants can get their money faster when signed up for direct deposit.
• Email and text alerts – Receive email and text alerts from ASI about when a claim is received, paid, or if additional documentation is necessary to process claims. 

To submit claims, participants can skip the mailbox. ASI offers multiple, convenient claim submission options:

• Mobile app
• Online Employee Portal at asiflex.com
• Recurring provider payments
• FSA Store Cardless Pay

This year, we are expanding the costume contest fun to include our entire CRAEA family.  What does this mean? 

It means we will have two contests this year to compete in to win bragging rights in the “Spooktacular Hall of Fame” and prizes.

This year’s prizes are extra special as we will be awarding vouchers in various amounts to purchase books for the school of your choice!

Halloween Costume Contest #1

Categories: 

• Group: (2+ co-workers): 1st place $50 / 2nd place $25 
• Solo: 1st place $40 / 2nd place $20
• Snap a picture and upload it to this Halloween Costume Contest#1 (All Staff) – Google Form or email it to Robin Billerbeck before 9:00 am on Friday, October 29.
• Voting will begin at 10:00 am and end at 1:00 pm with winners announced via email. 

Halloween Family Photo or Pumpkin Contest #2 

Categories: 

• Family (photo of you with your kids/pets): 1st place $30 / 2nd place $15
• Pumpkin creations (photo of your unique pumpkin): 1st place $10 / 2nd place $5 
• Snap a picture and upload it to this Halloween Costume Contest#2 (Family/Pumpkins)- Google Form or email it to Robin Billerbeck before 9:00 am on Monday, November 1
• Voting will begin at 10:00 am and end at 1:00 pm with winners announced via email.

The agency has a large supply of PPE available for staff which includes face masks, wipes, and hand sanitizer. If you need any items, please contact your regional administrative assistant.

The agency is once again partnering with HyVee Pharmacy to offer flu/Covid vaccine clinics for employees and their families. The vaccination schedule is as follows.

October 12, 2021, from 8:30-10:00 AM

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

October 19, 2021 from 7:45-10:00 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)

Registration for the 2021 Flu/Covid vaccination is now open and will close Tuesday, October 5.   Please remember to bring a copy of your driver’s license and a copy of your insurance card (front/back) and a completed Flu consent form and/or Covid-19 consent form.

Flu shots are covered 100% to employees & their family members with proof of insurance. The cost is $42.99 without insurance.  The Covid-19 vaccination is free for everyone. 

Please contact Betty Hesseling, Benefits Specialist with any questions bhesseling@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8202. 

Central Rivers AEA is introducing a new digital accessibility plan to help employees learn about creating inclusive digital content and establishing best practices.  Digital accessibility is not only a legal requirement, but an obligation to ensure everyone can utilize our products and services.  Creating an inclusive digital environment will provide access  to our resources and limit barriers while enhancing participation among those we support and serve.  Please note that the required training module is for all staff. 

REQUIRED: Self-Paced Training Module – This Canvas course will cover topics such as creating accessible documents, images, and videos while ensuring *ADA (Americans with Disability) compliance.  Additional modules will cover accessibility within Google Workspace and Zoom. (Please do not try and login with your Google login credentials.) Please confirm your completion of all modules by December 1, 2021.

OPTIONAL: Zoom Help Sessions – Experienced staff will be available during four Zoom sessions to assist employees with questions and completion of the training modules.  Registration is not required.

(Two options- either add the event to your calendar via the Calendar Event Link that includes the Zoom link in the event, or go directly to the Zoom link for that help session.)

Grackle Tip Sheet – Grackle is a Google Workspace add-on that checks digital content for accessibility and helps users remediate issues with a built-in correction tool.  Central Rivers AEA has purchased Grackle for our entire domain, and it is currently installed for all users.

If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact the Help Desk at 319.273.8231 or helpdesk@centralriversaea.org. 

The Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention (SPP) & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) trainings are required annual trainings for all school personnel who hold a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners, and who have regular contact with students in K-12.

A complete listing of mandatory training can be viewed here. Training that has been submitted to the Human Resources department can be reviewed by visiting the iVisions Portal > My Personal Information > Personal Information.  Please email HR any updated PDFs of training or if you have any questions.