Information for Existing Delegated Authority Vendors
Because the specific service needs of some children and families served by the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) cannot be determined in advance, DCS established the Delegated Authority (DA) approval process. The DA process is not a bidding process, but a standardized rate system based on established Medicare rates for some services. The DA process provides an efficient manner for DCS staff throughout the state’s 95 counties to access medical care/ treatment, behavioral health services, as well as other services for state custodial and non-custodial children and their families, who are not eligible for TennCare and do not have other private medical insurance.
Please note that being an approved vendor does not guarantee the utilization of your services by any DCS region.
Vendors, their employees, interns, volunteers, and if applicable, subcontractors, who have access to children and families during the performance of their job duties must be free from criminal and abuse history that could pose a safety risk to service recipients. All current and future employees, interns, volunteers, and if applicable, subcontractors, that provide such services must complete background checks which include TBI/FBI fingerprint checks, local law enforcement checks, along with an Internet Records Clearance that involves a background check of the following: Drug Offender Registry Clearance, TN Felony Offender Database Clearance, National Sexual Offender Registry Clearance, and Department of Health Abuse Registry Clearance.
For Persons Currently Providing Services as Identified on Staff Rosters
Vendors must:
- Upon approval, have all direct service staff, complete applicable background check(s), obtain and review the results of all required background checks and provide results/dates checks were conducted to DCS on form CS-0687- Background Check Checklist.
- Vendors are required to notify DCS if the individual vendor, an employee, intern, volunteer, or if applicable, subcontractor working with DCS clients commit any malfeasance during the period the provider is approved to provide services. Notifications must be made promptly and sent to the Regional Fiscal Director and Regional Administrator.
- Annually complete the Internet Records Clearance that involves a background check of the following: Drug Offender Registry Clearance, TN Felony Offender Database Clearance, National Sexual Offender Registry Clearance, and Department of Health Abuse Registry Clearance.
- Annually complete the Internet Records Clearance that involves a background check of the following: Drug Offender Registry Clearance, TN Felony Offender Database Clearance, National Sexual Offender Registry Clearance, and Department of Health Abuse Registry Clearance.
For Persons Not Currently Providing Services as Identified on Staff Rosters
- Vendors must notify the Office of Child Mental Health when a person who was previously approved intends to begin providing a type of service other than that they were approved to provide. Notification must include:
- The name of the person involved,
- The specific service type(s) the person may currently provide,
- All information requested on a staff roster,
- The person's qualifications,
- Proof of qualification(s) (such as licenses, certifications, special training), and
- Vendors must notify the Office of Child Mental Health when a new employee, intern, or volunteer will be utilized to provide services. Notification must include:
- The name of the person involved,
- All information requested on a staff roster (including the specific service type(s), related job duties involved), proof of qualification(s) (such as licenses, certifications, special training), and
- Proof all required background checks were conducted and provide results/dates to DCS on form CS-0687- Background Check Checklist
Policies & Forms
Approval of service type(s) and rates are valid for two (2) years from the date of approval email. Being an approved vendor does not guarantee the utilization of your services by any DCS region. The Department will consider all monitoring information and any reported concerns in the assessment of your performance. Please note that the Department reserves the right to withdraw approval at any time if a vendor fails to meet the qualifications specified in the application. Moreover, the Department can withdraw approval at any time.
At any time vendors have the option to request that their service array and/or coverage area be expanded. If you are an existing approved DA vendor and would like to expand your services to additional counties and/or regions, or you would like to add additional services to your approved service array, please click here.
To request service changes and/or report concerns or suggestions please contact:
Elvie Newcomb, Program Coordinator for the Delegated Authority Process
Email: Elvie.Newcomb@tn.gov
Phone: (615) 253-7715