The Iowa legislature established 15 Area Educational Agencies in 1974. They were formed to provide equity of educational services to all students in Iowa. Green Hills AEA began in 2010, as the result of the merger of Loess Hills AEA 13 and Green Valley AEA 14.
Currently there are nine AEAs in Iowa, as many have reorganized.
Green Hills AEA is the agency that serves Clarke County all the way to Council Bluffs in the west.
The AEA offers special education services which include academic consultation, behavior consultation, hearing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and vision.
Educational services offered are literacy, math, professional development, science, teacher leadership and compensation, technology and talented and gifted.
Media services include Iowa AEA Online, lending library, print and production and technology.
Early Access works with families to best serve infants and toddlers in their growth and development.
Early Childhood services are available for children 3 to 5 years old who have been identified as needing special education services.
The AEA is the system within Iowa that has been given the responsibility of identifying children with special needs.
AEAs serve children, educators and school districts. Both certified and non-certified staff can provide services.
Children with disabilities and their families can receive services prior to birth and through age 21. Services are provided in a number of locations, including the family home, school districts and Green Hills AEA facilities.
Special education referrals can be made by families, schools, AEA personnel, medical and other community providers.
During the 2017-18 school year, approximately 4,800 students are being served on IEPs (Individual Education Plan). Not all IEP students receive services directly from AEA staff. Each student on an IEP goes through an evaluation process, which does involve AEA staff. Once identified, those students have services provided to address their needs. Providers such as speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists provide direct services to IEP students as needed and identified in their IEP.
The Green Hills AEA currently serves 43 public school districts, six non-public accredited schools, 39,000 students, 3,100 educators and 168 administrators. The agency employs 280 staff members.
Green Hills AEA seeks staff who are dedicated to serving students, parents and school districts.
The Area Education Agencies in Iowa offer a vast number of services with positions across the spectrum including employees with specialized certification in areas of the services offered, support staff, and administrative positions, many of which hold educational certifications.