A-Z Programs & Services Directory

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities. The Iowa Department of Education has a helpful information for understanding Section 504 for parents. GWAEA provides resources for educators related to Section 504 that also may be helpful for parents as well.

Grant Wood AEA’s adapted physical education program provides support for area physical educators providing physical education services to students with disabilities. Learn more about how the AEA can help adapt physical education for all learners.

AEA Purchasing facilitates a voluntary purchasing program to help Iowa schools and other eligible entities save time and money. For information, visit www.aeapurchasing.org.

All students are expected to participate in district-wide assessments. Students with disabilities may participate without accommodations, with accommodations or through the state alternate assessment.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria for Iowa's Alternate Assessment in K-11th grades may utilize K-6 Early Literacy Alternate Assessment and 3-11 Dynamic Learning Maps Supports. Guidelines are provided within this website as a resource for educators.

Assistive Technology enables children and youth with disabilities to participate more fully in all aspects of life and helps them to access their right to a "free, appropriate public education" (FAPE) in the "least restrictive environment" (LRE). Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes various communication methods that enhance or replace verbal speech or writing for individuals with communication disabilities. Check our team resource folders for additional Assistive Technology & Augmentative and Alternative Communication information for IEP teams to consider and utilize including AT Information and Tools, AAC Information and Tools.

Grant Wood AEA's resource team of educators and AEA support staff provides consultation, information and coordination of plans for persons with autism and related disorders and for their families. Grant Wood AEA's resource team of educators and AEA support staff provides consultation, information and coordination of plans for persons with autism and related disorders and for their families. Check our web page for research-based resources for educators.

Grant Wood AEA provides a variety of services, supports and professional learning opportunities for districts and schools to address social, emotional, behavioral health (SEBH) within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Learn more about the AEA's frameworks of support.

The AEA supports blended learning as a pathway to personalization. This approach blends research-based instructional practices with technology-supported content, and resources to personalize learning using real time learner data. Contact us to learn how we can support blended learning in a classroom environment.

The Grant Wood AEA Business Office can provide assistance with school finance issues, the Certified Annual Report (CAR) and with preparation of school budgets. Questions about school budgets and finance. Please contact Barb Harms for assistance.

School districts may contact the Grant Wood AEA Business Office to receive Bus Driver Certification and Bus Chassis Inspection forms. Please contact Barb Harms for assistance.

See Occupational Therapy.

GWAEA has SEBH Coaches (formerly known as Behavior Coaches) who support districts with implementing evidence-based practices at both the system level and individual student level. Additionally the AEA has a Challenging Behavior Support Team (CBST) that provides intensive level support to districts and buildings to support students with significant challenging behavior. This team can be requested by contacting your district's regional administrator.

Call Grant Wood AEA if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s development. We can put you in touch with the right people who can help evaluate such things as your child’s speech, hearing, emotional development, behavior or pre-school readiness. Contact us to start a conversation about how the AEA can help.

Child Find refers to the Area Education Agencies’ (AEAs) responsibility to ensure that students who are eligible for special education services are identified, located, evaluated and provided with needed services. AEA staff members follow statewide procedures for Child Find. These procedures are documented in the statewide special education procedures which are part of the Iowa IDEA Information website. If you are a parent and have concerns about your child’s development, see our Getting Started with Special Education page for more information on next steps.

The Childcare Alliance Response Team (CART) is a program that will provide behavioral support for children ages 0-5 who are not labeled as having special education needs. Children may be referred by childcare providers of families for extremely challenging behaviors in their childcare setting. This can be a big help to families who may be in danger of losing their employment if their child is unable to remain in their childcare setting.  Learn more about these services, or contact referrals@gwaea.org.

Note: Because CART is a Benton, Cedar, Linn, Johnson, Jones and Washington County Early Childhood Iowa Grant funded program, this program is limited only to those counties.

Through statewide coordination and AEA Purchasing, schools can receive aggressive discounts on purchases of computer peripherals, audio-visual equipment, supplies, media and technology resources, equipment, paper, janitorial supplies, athletic supplies, food and more.

College for Kids is a summer enrichment program offered high-ability middle school students who wish to expand on their talents and abilities by taking faster-paced, topic-specific courses on a college campus. This program has been offered through Grant Wood AEA for more than 30 years as a program for eligible students in the AEA's service area.

Parents, guardians and legal custodians who have elected to homeschool their children may access Heartland AEA services on the same basis as a teacher under the guidelines outlined in the Iowa Code 299A and Iowa Rules Chapter 31. Grant Wood AEA can help ensure that parents/guardians receive the annual competent private instruction notification from each district, provides special education services for students on an IEP and administers annual standardized testing services for homeschooled children. Contact us for additional information on homeschool support services.

Chapter 12, IAC, requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to develop Comprehensive School Improvement Plans and to report both to the Dept. of Education and to the community the progress being made toward student achievement goals. Agency staff can provide support for the development of these plans and reports. Please reference our GWAEA staff directory to contact a staff member.

The Grant Wood AEA Computer Services team provides software solutions to Iowa AEA's and LEAs. Software includes PowerSchool and Infinite Campus student records, Grant Wood Accounting and Payroll, On-Line Assessment, IMS, network support, as well as other software programs, custom programming as well as consulting and support for all applications.

GWAEA consultants with expertise in writing and implementing IEPs, modeling classroom strategies, teaching life skills and academic content for diverse learners and students with special needs, developing accommodations, adapted physical education, transition planning, managing student behaviors, facilitating planning, and knowing special education law are members of the regional teams. Contact the AEA for more information.

Through statewide coordination and AEA Purchasing, schools can receive aggressive discounts on purchases of computer peripherals, audio-visual equipment, supplies, media and technology resources, equipment, paper, janitorial supplies, athletic supplies, food and more.

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have created an extensive, easy-to-use resource to help students and teachers understand copyright laws and the associated rights and responsibilities of users of copyrighted information. Two versions of Copyright BriefNotes are now available to support students and teachers in virtual and physical classrooms. These resources can be linked on your association website and also is available in print-ready PDF versions.

Grant Wood AEA staff provide instructional support for students living in several juvenile settings and programs. AEA staff provide instruction and make recommendations for education and support services for qualified individuals in the Iowa Medical Classification Center, Anamosa Penitentiary, Linn County Detention Center, Foundation 2 Youth Shelter, the AEA's Offsite Behavior Program, and services available through Kirkwood's VITAL program. See "Offsite Programs" for more information.

Grant Wood AEA’s Creative Services team can create and print instructional materials, displays, posters, wall graphics, brochures–almost anything educators need to help students achieve and schools run smoothly! Our staff focuses on working with educators to create and produce items that truly fit them, their students’ and their school’s needs. The team also provides services to other groups and organizations that are non-profit or tax-supported. Contact Creative Services at creativeservices@gwaea.org to learn more.

The Creative Studio space allows teachers, volunteers and others the opportunity to produce a wide assortment of instructional materials. Equipment available in the Creative Studio includes lamination, bulletin board materials, die cuts and much more. Contact us to learn more about using this creative space!

Critical Incident Stress Management team members (CISM) are available to provide immediate assistance to local schools in times of crisis or traumatic events, and to help schools plan for such events. Additional resource are available here.

Grant Wood AEA is part of the Region 10 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Planning Partnership. Additionally, AEA staff support districts with efforts including Career Exploration, Work-Based Learning, Program of Studies, Computer Science, and Project-Based Learning/21st Century Skills.

AEA staff provides instruction for students who are detained in a detention center or youth shelter program. These are sometimes referred to as Off-Site Programs.

Grant Wood AEA's digital learning staff work with school districts in Eastern Iowa to help them enhance teaching and learning with the use of technology. Learn more about how the team can assist your district.

Grant Wood AEA provides year round E-Rate support for AEA 10 schools and districts.To request assistance via email contact eratecontact@gwaea.org.

More information can be found on the administrators page.

Early ACCESS is the system implemented by the state of Iowa to serve children from birth to age three, who have either a developmental delay, or have a condition that has a high probability of later delays if early intervention services are not provided. Eligible children and their families receive service coordination to assist them in accessing the services and supports they need. Early childhood consultants support children ages 3-5 by helping teachers and support service providers identify developmental needs, deliver and coordinate quality early childhood special education programs. Early childhood specialists work collaboratively with families and providers to develop interventions that empower families and educators to support the identified needs of young children. Learn more about these services, or contact referrals@gwaea.org.

Early Childhood Special Education services are available through GWAEA for preschool children ages 3-5. These services include evaluation and intervention services, which are family centered and community based. Learn more about Early Childhood Services.

Grant Wood AEA has staff dedicated to supporting English Language Learners, and those staff who are supporting students learning English as a second language. This support includes on-site observations and consultation, staff development or referrals to other resources when appropriate. Access AEA resources to support ELL.

The AEA maintains a directory of school information for districts in the GWAEA service area. This Education Directory (PDF) information also is available in a print-ready document by emailing grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

In meeting their obligation to offer each child with a disability a free, appropriate public education (FAPE), local school districts must make available programs and services that meet a child’s individual needs. Some children may require the provision of services beyond the traditional school year. Such services are components known as extended school year (ESY) services. Federal and state law and regulations do not require that every student with a disability receive extended school year services. These decisions are made annually by each student’s IEP team. Questions regarding ESY can be routed to the AEA regional administrator.

Grant Wood AEA's 6th Street conference center is available for use by education, community and business partners according to the Grant Wood AEA Board Administrative Regulation on public meeting room use.

Beginning July 1, 2024, the state will undergo a transition from its existing FEP program to a service facilitated by the Department of Education. Our current FEP team members, Jennifer Cira-Debban and Sara Mohr, will assume the role of Collaboration Consultants for GWAEA, with a distinct set of responsibilities that do not include the FEP role. In the best interest of all involved, specifically the student, Grant Wood AEA's building-based special education staff will continue to work with families and encourage relationships among the IEP team.

Grant Wood AEA’s Collaboration Consultants will work with district staff to support professionals through coaching and providing professional learning opportunities.

Possible topics that are being considered are:

• Ways to work through the components of IEPs

• The importance of family relationships in the IEP process

• Support for administrators

• Ways to engage team members in the IEP process.

As we progress in our planning for ways we can best serve and support our districts in this capacity, we will ensure that you are informed with the most current updates.`

A GWAEA consultant can provide support and links for gifted education in area schools. Please contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for assistance.

See Creative Services .

GWAEA staff can identify hearing service needs through testing, medical referrals and educational planning for students who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Services, recommendations and materials are provided by trained audiometrists, audiologists and itinerant hearing teachers. GWAEA staff can identify hearing service needs through testing, medical referrals and educational planning for students who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Services, recommendations and materials are provided by trained audiometrists, audiologists and itinerant hearing teachers.

The agency has a legal responsibility to certify that children being taught in private settings, such as home schools, are receiving competent instruction. Standardized tests for the children are administered annually at the agency. Contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

Grant Wood AEA staff provide contracted support for districts interested in assistance for the Infinite Campus and PowerSchool student information systems. For more information contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org

Grant Wood Computer Services provides software solutions to Iowa AEA's and LEA's. Software includes Infinite Campus and PowerSchool student records, Grant Wood AEA Accounting and Payroll, On-Line Assessment, IMS, network support, as well as other software programs, custom programming, consulting, and support for all applications. Contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

Grant Wood AEA's digital learning staff work with school districts in Eastern Iowa to help them enhance teaching and learning with the use of technology. Learn more about how the team can assist your district.

Grant Wood works with several district and building leaders to integrate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) and School Mental Health (SMH) through an Interconnected System Framework (ISF.) Learn more about this framework of support.

Grant Wood AEA has contracted with Foundation 2 to provide access to Foundation 2's Juvenile and Family Assistance & Stabilization (J-FAST) program. This crisis intervention system works with youth and families who are at risk of hospitalization, committal or residential placement to provide community-based support.

The Creative Studio space allows teachers, volunteers and others the opportunity to produce a wide assortment of instructional materials. Equipment available in the Creative Studio includes lamination, bulletin board materials, diecuts and much more. Contact us to learn more about using this creative space!

The Linker is a blog that shares information about Grant Wood AEA programs and services with local educators. Check it out here.

GWAEA literacy consultants provide building-wide professional development, assistance with curriculum development, support for selecting materials, models of instructional approaches and ongoing consultation in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for pre-K—12 students. Locate your literacy consultant. Review resources on literacy from the GWAEA literacy team, or contact your regional administrator for additional assistance.

Grant Wood AEA math consultants are assigned to every district to support educators and their students with mathematics curriculum, instruction and assessment. Th team emphasizes problem solving and manipulatives to help extend participants' mathematical learning, and to develop understanding of the Iowa Core curriculum at the local level. This team can also help implement a district or building-wide math initiative and support in-district math professional learning. Learn more from the GWAEA math team.

Your AEA media center is full of books and instructional resources to supplement your curriculum, and our agency has a virtual library that provides no-cost access to high-quality, web-based resources for accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools. Visit us to learn more about the media center and our library of resources.

Social, emotional, behavioral and mental health affects how we think, feel, communicate, act and learn. Grant Wood AEA has a continuum of SEBH support systems to help students and educator. Learn more about our teams and support services.

The Grant Wood AEA Mentoring and Induction Program is designed to provide professional development and support to district mentors and administrators assisting beginning teachers during their first two years in the profession. The program consists of several modules that provide the mentor with the knowledge and skills to help accelerate the learning of new teachers. Focused on the Iowa Teaching Standards and utilizing evidence and research based professional development, the sessions are highly interactive with opportunities for learning and practice.

Grant Wood AEA provides a variety of services, supports and professional learning opportunities to help districts and schools establish and effectively utilize a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org to learn more.

Occupational therapy (OT) services are provided for children birth to 3 years of age or 3 - 21 years of age if the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Program (IEP) team determines the need for these services for the child or student meets educational or functional goals. The focus of OT services includes participation and access in the home and school environments to promote independence and access through working with IEP/IFSP teams. OTs may address the following areas: self-care, functional hand skills, regulation, accessibility, positioning, play and leisure, work and vocational skills, and social skills. OTs may also work with teachers and other educational team members to develop strategies, accommodations, and modifications for students receiving general education and special education services. Please route any questions regarding OT services to an AEA regional administrator or grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

Grant Wood AEA staff provide instructional support for students living in several juvenile settings and programs. AEA staff provide instruction and make recommendations for education and support services for qualified individuals in the Iowa Medical Classification Center, Anamosa Penitentiary, Linn County Detention Center, Foundation 2 Youth Shelter, the AEA's Off-Site Behavior Program, and services available through Kirkwood's VITAL program.

Grant Wood AEA provides a virtual library that provides no-cost access to high-quality, web-based resources for accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools. Access these free digital resources.

Grant Wood AEA staff can help districts with activities and expenditures associated with Perkins grants. Please contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

Physical therapy services are provided for students with physical disabilities to facilitate optimal functioning and maximize accessibility in the educational environment. Positioning and mobility specifically are addressed and modifications/adaptations are made as needed. As members of educational teams, school physical therapists evaluate and treat functional needs of students as they affect daily programming, instruct staff in appropriate goals and care, and coordinate with members of respective medical teams as necessary for continuity of care.

GWAEA staff can provide school district staff training in the use of positive behavioral supports for students with behavior problems. Learn more about our continuum of supports.

The Grant Wood AEA Computer Services team provides software solutions to Iowa AEA's and LEAs. Software includes PowerSchool and Infinite Campus student records, Grant Wood Accounting and Payroll, On-Line Assessment, IMS, network support, as well as other software programs, custom programming as well as consulting and support for all applications.

See Creative Services.

Grant Wood Area Education Agency offers opportunities for professional learning to enhance educator skills and practices and improve student learning.

Grant Wood AEA has school psychologists assigned to districts to help provide consultation and assessment for students who have school-related learning, emotional, social, and behavioral problems. The team emphasizes intervention and remediation through a team approach. Learn more about our social-emotional behavioral health support services.

AEA Purchasing is an initiative of the Iowa Association of Area Education Agencies (IAAEA). Our goal is to combine the purchasing power of Iowa schools to offer aggressive pricing on materials, goods and services through a competitive bid process. Learn more at http://www.aeapurchasing.org.

Reading Recovery is a short-term, one-to-one early intervention program for first-grade students who are potentially at-risk in reading. Teacher training is provided through Grant Wood AEA, local districts, and The University of Iowa. For additional information, please contact your regional administrator.

Professional learning transcripts and history can be accessed online. Please contact us to request records for students in special education by emailing us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

Tell us a little about how our agency can help you by filling out this form, and our staff will contact you. If your question is in regards to assistance for a child, please be sure to include the child's age and school district.

Grant Wood AEA's school improvement consultants guide educational leaders and staff members through the process of continuous improvement and program review. Such efforts positively impact student performance through the utilization of data-driven processes, goal oriented professional development, and the monitoring of progress and programs. The team can assist with formative, summative and large scale assessments. The also coordinate and support the development of Professional Learning Communities, collaborative learning cultures, and the development of school-wide and district-wide leadership teams.

Grant Wood AEA's school social workers are links between home, school and community. Social workers collaborate with students, schools and families to assess a student’s social-emotional and behavior needs, and support educators through student evaluations and consultation based on student needs. For more information please contact grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

Grant Wood AEA's science consultants partner with educators to create high-quality science learning environments through the provision of well-designed curriculum, professional development by teachers and administrators, classroom materials, assessment strategies, and development of multiple networks of support. GWAEA science consultants work with the Van Allen Science Teaching Center to provide leadership and support for exemplary science teaching.

Grant Wood AEA provides science materials for classrooms through the Van Allen Science Teaching Center. Learn more about science material distribution, or contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

A Grant Wood AEA school counseling consultant’s goal is to help build success for all students by supporting school counselors in their unique roles within schools and ultimately promote better outcomes for all students through the work of the school counselor. Learn more about how we support school counselors, or contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

Area Education Agency (AEA) and Urban Education Network (UEN) Significant Disabilities Coordinators provide technical assistance and support in implementation of the Iowa Core Essential Elements and Iowa’s Alternate Assessments. The Alternate Assessment is a part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Every student is to be tested, even those who receive homebound services or attend a shortened school day.

The AEA provides a variety of services and supports to address social, emotional and behavioral health needs of students and adults. Learn more about SEBH services and supports.

Grant Wood Area Education Agency provides support in developing Social Studies curriculum. Staff are available to assist in gathering supplemental materials through the Grant Wood AEA media center, lesson development, and unit design.

Iowa’s AEAs serve students from birth to the age of 21. The eligibility requirements for children to receive services differ depending on the age of the child. In all cases, however, services are free and are based on eligibility and need. If you believe that a child or student may be in need of AEA services, we are here to assist you! Here are some resources to help you get started with special education support services.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in the education setting work with learners who have a variety of communication needs, generally related to articulation, language, voice, fluency and early literacy. Speech-language pathologists also support learners who have complex communication needs associated with disabilities such as autism, physical impairment and head injury. GWAEA staff can provide screening, evaluation, consultation, and therapy for educationally significant problems that children have with language, voice, articulation, and stuttering. You can find the SLP that supports your district here.

Please contact us to request records for students in special education by emailing us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

Grant Wood Area Education Agency houses a computer system called ‘SubCentral’ that processes substitutes for teachers at 14 school districts including Alburnett, Anamosa, Cedar Rapids, Central City, Center Point-Urbana, College Community, Grant Wood, Marion, Linn-Mar, Monticello, Mount Vernon, Springville, Summit, and Xavier Catholic Schools. Learn more about SubCentral and the requirements for becoming a substitute teacher.

Grant Wood AEA houses the computer system that arranges substitutes for teachers. To sign up as a substitute teacher or substitute paraprofessional/associate go to subcentral.vista-iowa.com. For assistance the SubCentral Help Desk is staffed between 7-11 a.m. on school days and can be reached at 319-399-6761 or subcentral@gwaea.org.

Professional learning and networking opportunities are offered for teachers and coordinators of talented and gifted programs. Learn more by contacting grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

See Creative Studio.

Grant Wood Computer Services provides software solutions to Iowa AEA's and LEA's. Software includes Infinite Campus and PowerSchool student records, Grant Wood AEA Accounting and Payroll, On-Line Assessment, IMS, network support, as well as other software programs, custom programming, consulting, and support for all applications. Contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

Professional learning transcripts and history can be accessed online. Please contact us to request records for students in special education by emailing us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

All GWAEA special education consultants are trained to provide transition support services for students, parents, teachers and school districts as they plan for students’ transitions for living, learning, and working. Planning will include movement from home to school, school to school, and to their post-school employment, education and living settings. Some helpful resources include: - Summary for Post-Secondary Living, Learning and Working - Academic Use - Summary for Post-Secondary Living, Learning and Working - Work Use - Life After High School Transition Guide - folder format - Life After High School Transition Guide - handouts - Support for Accommodation Request - Age of Majority - Graduation Changes for Individuals Eligible for Special Education - Guiding Transitions booklet - Transition Guide from our Family-Educator Partnership Program - A sample transition IEP - Additional references from the Iowa Transition Assessment Website| - Pacer's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment - UI REACH.

Universal Design looks at the goals of any lesson to provide all students with tools, techniques and the means to achieve these goals. Your GWAEA Assistive Technology team member can assist you in this area. Contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org for more information.

Grant Wood AEA provides year round E-Rate support for AEA 10 schools and districts. Request assistance via email at eratecontact@gwaea.org.

Grant Wood Area Education Agency (Grant Wood AEA) provides delivery to each public and accredited nonpublic building in the Agency’s seven county service area. Deliveries can include, among other things, Grant Wood AEA communications, Media Center resources, Creative Services printing and inter-district correspondence. For questions regarding van delivery or to email a request to utilize the van mail distribution system, email grantwoodaea@gwaea.org.

Van Allen Science Teaching Center provides a hands-on, minds-on oriented classroom using research-based comprehensive curriculum.

Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) and Orientation and Mobility Specialists (OMS) provide screening, evaluation, consultation and direct services for children who are blind or visually impaired. Contact us at grantwoodaea@gwaea.org to learn more about vision support services.

This training focuses on how to help students experiencing a mental health, addiction challenge or crisis. MHFA meets the suicide prevention training required in new legislation when it is completed along with the postvention module available on AEA Learning Online.