Feb. 7 2020 - map updated with all counties' model choices
Jan. 29, 2020 -- email message to all extension staff, faculty and councils
Good morning,
We continue to make progress on implementing Structured for Success and now can release this new map showing the final regional boundaries. This new structure, with 27 regions, will take effect July 1, 2020.
The regional boundaries have changed slightly from the 25 four-county regions that were proposed in Model 1 on Aug. 20, 2019. Andrea Nelson and I reviewed numerous requests from councils regarding regional boundaries, and as we drew this new map we accommodated as many requests as feasible.
Three counties – Dallas, Polk, and Story – have chosen model 2. The remaining counties have been grouped into 24, mostly four-county regions. (Two regions have three counties and three regions have five counties.) In most cases counties remain grouped with their current region mates, but some will be welcoming new neighbors to their region.
Many things will be happening in the coming months to meet our July 1 roll out. By Feb. 1, all councils are to return their confirmation form, signed by the council chair, declaring their choice of model 1 or model 3. As of Jan. 28, we have heard from 91 councils. The next steps include the following.
Hiring and Assigning Regional Directors
- We are in the process of hiring regional directors for model 2 regions 15 (Dallas County), 16 (Polk County) and 17 (Story County). County interview teams will interview candidates in mid-February. We will announce these new hires as soon as the hiring process is completed, likely in late February or early March.
- Current regional directors will be provided an opportunity to rank their preference for the new regions. Councils can provide input on their regional director by completing the performance review feedback form by Feb. 20. We will announce those reassignments by the end of February.
- Regional director vacancies will be posted on or before March 1 for one month. Interview teams for each vacancy will be identified and interviews will take place in April. Hiring announcements are expected in May.
- The start date for all new hires is expected to be June 1. Orientation and training will begin immediately. Existing regional directors also will take part in training, including supervisory training.
- All regional directors will officially begin duties in their new regions on July 1.
Revising the Memorandum of Understanding
- The MOU Committee met twice to review and revise the current MOU.
- We expect there to be one MOU for all counties with a separate “operations” addendum depending on which model the county chooses.
- The operations addendums, which are new rather than revised, are being drafted.
- The goal is to have both the revised MOU and operations addendums available to counties before the end of March. Each county must sign the MOU by or before June 1.
Enrolling in the ISU Insurance Plan
- We are finalizing the details regarding the ISU insurance plan for county employees. Our goal is to have information to you by March 1.
- ISU benefits staff will be available to answer questions at the IECA Annual Conference on March 28 and at the ISU Extension and Outreach Annual Conference April 1.
- We are planning an informational webinar in March or April.
- The open enrollment period is planned for the month of May, with coverage beginning July 1.
- Watch my Monday messages for information about the ISU insurance plan.
I am proud of the great work we do, sharing research-based information and programming to improve the lives of all Iowans – not only for today, but for the future. Thank you for your commitment to Structured for Success, as we move forward together.
John Lawrence
Vice President for Extension and Outreach
