Provides services for youth (birth to age 21) with disabilities and their families. The agency also provides general educational services and media services to public school districts and accredited non-public 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 Heartland AEA's offices throughout the agency's 11-county area, or parents may contact their local school for more information about Heartland AEA.

Children who are at risk for developmental delays or who have a developmental 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, occupational and physical therapy, social work, home-based instruction and vision.