Tennessee Early Intervention System TEIS

The Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) is a program that provides services to children ages birth up to age three who have disabilities or other developmental delays. The TEIS program is a critically important program to supporting young children and their families to reach their optimal development. Because of the connections to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this program has been housed in the Department of Education. In order to elevate and accelerate the work of TEIS, this program will be re-positioned within the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) by July 1, 2020.   

DIDD’s charge is to support all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  In line with that mission, the department has more than three decades of experience coordinating service and supports for this population in their homes and communities in a person-centered manner.  With the addition of the Katie Beckett program, including Part B operation by DIDD, there is an opportunity to increase coordination between the TEIS, Katie Beckett, and the Employment and Community First CHOICES programs in a seamless way.  This alignment will provide an atmosphere that fosters optimal supports and services from the agency whose sole purpose is to support people with disabilities to live the lives they envision for themselves.

For more information about TEIS, please visit https://www.tn.gov/education/early-learning/tennessee-early-intervention-system-teis.html.