Creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) provide comprehensive social, emotional, and behavioral health (SEBH) support to help schools meet the needs of every student and staff member. AEAs partner with districts to implement proactive and responsive strategies that promote safe, predictable, and inclusive learning environments.
System-Wide Support
AEAs help schools implement essential system-wide SEBH services, including:
- Multi-Tiered System of Support for SEBH (MTSS-SEBH/PBIS)
- Crisis response
- Suicide prevention and intervention
- School safety planning
- School counselor support
- Mental health literacy
- Educator wellness initiatives
At the universal level (Tier 1), AEAs provide professional development, coaching, and consultation to support evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes. This includes:
- Defining, teaching, and reinforcing clear behavioral expectations
- Integrating trauma-informed practices
- Building strong adult-student relationships
- Selecting High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) for social-emotional instruction
Targeted & Intensive Support
For students needing additional help, AEAs support data-driven interventions using tools such as Panorama Student Success to guide decisions.
- Tier 2: Small-group interventions for students at risk of developing more significant behavioral challenges
- Tier 3: Intensive support for students with chronic or severe behavioral needs
These targeted and intensive supports ensure that every student receives the level of help they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Modes of Support
- Coaching and consultation
- Classroom modeling and debriefing
- Classroom observations and walkthroughs
- Implementation coaching (leadership or staff)
- Ongoing professional learning with embedded coaching
- Resource integration
- Structured time for planning, reflection, and collaboration
- Leadership teams (district and/or building)
- Teacher teams (PLCs, CLCs, etc.)