Provides services for youth (birth to age 21) with disabilities and their families. The agency also provides general educational services and media services to 53 public school districts and 31 approved private schools in central Iowa. The agency screens students for hearing, vision and speech loss, as well as emotional, psychological and behavior issues. Services are provided at school or at the child's home. In most cases Heartland AEA staff works closely with the staff of the school the child attends. Parents or others may refer children by calling any of Heartlands AEA's offices throughout the agency's 11 county area, or parents may contact their local school for more information about Heartland AEA.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Children who are at risk for developmental delays or who have a handicapping condition are entitled to an evaluation. This includes children with birth defects, vision or hearing concerns, language delays, autism, head injury, behavior problems, gross or fine motor delays, and feeding difficulties. After an evaluation, they may qualify for service coordination and a written Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Under this plan the following services may be provided: assistive technology, audiology, communication, family education and support, health , nursing, nutrition, occupational and physical therapy, social work, psychology, medical diagnosis and evaluation, home based instruction, transportation, and vision.