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Last Update: 06/04/2009

Eligibility

Every state has a Part C program for children birth through two years of age and their families, under the Individual’s with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Each state decides its own eligibility rules.

In Tennessee, a child with a diagnosis from the list below or children whose test results show that they have a 25% delay in two developmental areas or a 40% delay in one area may be eligible for TEIS.  A child may have a developmental delay if he or she is far behind other children their age in one or more of the five major skill areas:

  1. motor (crawling, walking, using their hands to play)
  2. communication (babbling, indicating wants and needs, talking)
  3. cognitive (thinking skills including making choices and solving problems)
  4. social (playing near or with other children or adults)    
  5. adaptive (taking care of ones needs)

Information from the child’s doctor as well as the results of a developmental test will determine if a child meets the eligibility criteria in Tennessee.

A child eligible based on developmental delay is eligible through Part A of TEIS. A child eligible based on a a specific diagnosis or condition is eligible through Part B of TEIS.

TEIS Diagnoses & Conditions for Part B Eligibility List- AlphabetizedWord file

TEIS Diagnoses & Conditions for Part B Eligibility List- Categorized Word file

Make a Referral to TEIS

You may make a referral to TEIS by calling 1-800-852-7157, calling the office directly (click here for state map and contact information) or by contacting Ruth Wiseman, Public Awareness Coordinator at 615-532-2809 or through email. 

Please provide your name, contact information, child's name, date of birth,county the child lives in, parent information (if someone other than the parent calls) and the developmental concern when making a referral.  A service coordinator will make several attempts to contact the parent within five days of the referral by phone and by mail.