Heartland AEA

What Heartland AEA does

Heartland AEA (legal name: Heartland Area Education Agency) is a state-legislated public educational service agency headquartered at 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Iowa. Established in 1974/1975 to deliver services required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the agency serves 11 central Iowa counties (Audubon, Boone, Carroll, Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story, and Warren), supporting 53 public school districts, 32 accredited non-public schools, and 1 charter school. It reaches approximately 147,664 PK-12 students and serves 11,375 teachers and administrators, with headcount variously reported as 600 or up to 750 staff.

The agency's core services span Special Education (over 70% of budget, including Child Find, IEP support, and birth-through-age-21 services), Professional Learning (course catalog, mandatory trainings, paraeducator certification via the AEA Learning Online LMS), Library & Digital Resources (ebooks, audiobooks, Learn 360 streaming video, Britannica ImageQuest, PebbleGo, Gale databases accessed through a new Insignia ILS catalog and AEA OneClick ClassLink SSO), Creative Services (printing, graphic design, lamination, Braille transcription), and content-area support in Computer Science, Literacy, Math, Science, and Social-Emotional/Behavioral Health. Technology platforms include the AEA Learning Online LMS, Creative Services Online ordering portal, and AEA OneClick single sign-on. Delivery is hybrid: regional directors provide on-site consultative support across counties, supplemented by van-based physical distribution of books, technology, and science kits.

The revenue model blends three streams: state funding (the principal recurring subscription-equivalent allocation supporting special education), fee-for-service revenue (introduced or expanded following Iowa's 2024 HF 2612 legislation, which monetized previously free services including Professional Learning, Creative Services, and Braille transcription effective mid-to-late 2024), and targeted grant funding (e.g., UNI Grow Your Own School Psychologist Program covering 90% of tuition via grants, Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship grants, and a ~$1 million Iowa Department of Education computer science grant impacting ~850 educators). Pricing structures include free at-point-of-use digital resource access, subscription-based digital resource access, multi-year tuition-supported workforce programs, and project-based fee-for-service work. The agency earned full Iowa State Board of Education accreditation in 2022 and again in July 2025, and in 2024 became the first education service agency to receive NASP Excellence in School Psychological Services recognition at the Proficient level.

Name

Heartland AEA

Legal name

Heartland Area Education Agency

Website

https://heartlandaea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Heartland Area Education Agency is an Iowa state-legislated public educational service agency that delivers special education, professional learning, digital library resources, and creative services to 53 public school districts, 32 non-public schools, and 1 charter school across 11 central Iowa counties, serving approximately 147,664 PK-12 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional Education Service Agencies (ESAs/BOCES/Intermediate Units) (EDADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ), Literacy & ELA Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Professional learning
• Library digital resources
• Educational support services
• School psychology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Funding: As an Area Education Agency, Heartland AEA receives state funding to provide educational services to school districts. Over 70 percent of overall budget supports special education services.
2. Fee-for-Service: Following 2024 legislative changes, many services that were previously offered at no cost now have fees. Professional learning courses and creative services (printing, graphic design, lamination) operate under new fee structures.
3. Grant Funding: Various grants including UNI Grow Your Own School Psychologist Program (90% tuition covered), Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship grants, and computer science grants from Iowa Department of Education

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Heartland AEA is a public Area Education Agency providing educational support services to 53 public school districts, 32 accredited non-public schools, and 1 charter school across 11 central Iowa counties. It delivers special education identification and services for children birth through age 21, professional learning courses for educator certification and license renewal, library and digital resources, creative services (printing, graphic design, lamination, Braille transcription), and content-area support in literacy, math, science, and computer science.

Product overview

Heartland AEA is a regional Area Education Agency providing comprehensive educational support services across 11 central Iowa counties. The organization operates as a multi-service educational support entity offering Special Education Services (including Child Find, IEP support, and related services for birth-21), Professional Learning (course catalog, certification programs, mandatory trainings via AEA Learning Online platform), Library & Digital Resources (ebooks, streaming video, databases including Britannica and PebbleGo), Creative Services (printing, graphic design, Braille transcription), and content-specific services including Computer Science, Literacy, Math, Science, and Mental Health/School Psychology support. The agency also provides assistive technology, early childhood/Early ACCESS programs, and instructional/technology integration services. Services are provided to 147,664 PK-12 students across 53 public school districts, 32 accredited non-public schools, and 1 charter school through approximately 600 staff members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Education Services Identification of children with disabilities (Child Find) and support services for children birth through age 21, including IEP development, Related Services, and educational leadership support for school districts.
• Professional Learning Course catalog offering professional development, licensure renewal credits, mandatory trainings, paraeducator certification, and educator training programs delivered in-person and virtually through AEA Learning Online.
• Library and Digital Resources Provides ebooks, audiobooks, streaming videos (Learn 360), Britannica ImageQuest, Gale databases, PebbleGo, PebbleGo Next, and other reference materials, along with library catalog and van delivery of physical materials to schools.
• Creative Services Printing, copying, graphic design, lamination, and production of instructional materials, displays, posters, wall graphics, and brochures, including Braille transcription and AIM/AEM scanning services, ordered through Creative Services Online.
• Grow Your Own School Psychologist Program New initiative in partnership with University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and seven Iowa AEAs to train new school psychologists. Participants earn Ed.S. in school psychology while working full-time, with 90% of tuition and fees covered through grants, books provided, and travel costs covered. Two cohorts of approximately 12 students each begin June 2026 and Summer 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• NASP recognized Heartland AEA for Excellence in School Psychological Services at Proficient level (79% rating) - first education service agency to receive ESPS recognition
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of Northern Iowa (UNI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026UNI partnership with seven of Iowa's AEAs for 'Grow Your Own' program training new school psychologists. Participants earn Ed.S. in school psychology while working full-time and commit to 3 years of service in rural AEA areas. Financial support includes 90% tuition coverage, books, and travel costs. Two cohorts of ~12 students each begin June 2026 and Summer 2027.
• Central Rivers AEAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Partner AEA in CSEd@UNI CSForAll:RPP scale-up grant along with Grant Wood AEA and University of Virginia, expanding computer science endorsement program with local communities of practice.
• Grant Wood AEAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Partner AEA in CSEd@UNI CSForAll:RPP scale-up grant along with Central Rivers AEA and University of Virginia, expanding computer science endorsement program with local communities of practice.
• University of VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022NSF CSForAll:RPP grant partner for computer science endorsement program expansion, providing content and pedagogy coursework with AEA-facilitated communities of practice.
• Iowa Board of Educational ExaminerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Grant program allowing paraeducators to earn Paraeducator Generalist Certificate through TPRA Grant Program at no cost to eligible candidates.
• Iowa Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing oversight, accreditation, and grant funding including computer science professional development grants approaching $1 million for ~850 educators.
• Iowa's Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partnership of nine AEAs created website (IowaAEAMentalHealth.org) to help Iowans navigate mental health resources. Includes home setting contacts and vetted sources for mental health disorders.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Central Rivers AEA: One of Iowa's nine Area Education Agencies, headquartered in Cedar Falls. Direct peer because both Heartland AEA and Central Rivers AEA deliver the same statutory special education and support services to districts in their respective regions under identical Iowa regulatory framework; they are active grant partners on the NSF CSForAll:RPP program.
• Grant Wood AEA: Iowa's largest Area Education Agency serving the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor. Direct peer because it operates under the same Iowa AEA statutory framework, delivering the same mix of special education, professional learning, media, and digital resource services to its assigned districts and partnering with Heartland AEA on state-level grants.
• Great Prairie AEA: Iowa Area Education Agency serving the Ottumwa/Burlington region. Direct peer because it is governed by identical Iowa statute as Heartland AEA, providing special education, professional learning, and media services, and it is operationally referenced as the prior chief-administrator seat of Heartland's current CEO.
• Mississippi Bend AEA: Iowa Area Education Agency serving the Quad Cities region. Direct peer because it shares the same Iowa statutory mandate as Heartland AEA, co-creates the statewide mental health navigation resource with the nine-AEA consortium, and operates comparable special education/media/professional learning portfolios.
• Prairie Lakes AEA: Iowa Area Education Agency serving north-central Iowa. Direct peer as part of Iowa's nine-AEA statutory network delivering special education, ESL, professional development, and media services using the same regulatory and funding framework that governs Heartland AEA.
• Northwest AEA: Iowa Area Education Agency serving northwest Iowa. Direct peer under the same Iowa AEA statute, providing the equivalent mix of special education identification/support, professional learning, and digital resources to districts within its statutory region.
• Keystone AEA: Iowa Area Education Agency serving northeast Iowa counties. Direct peer under Iowa's identical AEA statutory framework, performing the same statutory special education and school-improvement roles as Heartland AEA within its assigned service region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HeartlandAEA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrjmT7bmeOsfSNDmRQYkKqw
• Facebookfacebook.com/heartlandaea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/403404?trk=tyah
• Instagraminstagram.com/heartlandaea

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heartland AEA