TEIS Community Resources
Provider Guidance Manual
The purpose of this manual is to provide information relative to basic principles and guidance for the provision of Part C, early intervention services in Tennessee through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). This manual contains information for Eligibility Evaluation Agencies (EEAs), Early Intervention Resource Agencies (EIRAs), and vendors who deliver services to eligible children and their families. This manual will be reviewed and updated quarterly. Notifications regarding updates will be managed by the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).
Nothing in this manual is intended to replace or supersede any federal or state laws applicable to each agency or the terms of agreements agencies have entered with the State of Tennessee. This manual is intended only to provide guidance on the implementation of all such laws and agreements.
Indicator 1 Guidance
Indicator 1, also known as “timely service delivery”, is a federal compliance indicator under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Initiating timely services for children and families is a priority for TEIS as early childhood is a critical time period for families.
Providers may request assistance with user/account support, password reset, and/or assistance with the deletion of erroneous entries in the Tennessee Early Intervention Data System (TEIDS). Please use the following form linked below to submit a request.
NOTE: TEIDS access will only be granted to individuals who are directly providing early intervention services either through TEIS employment or through contract with TEIS.
- General Requirements for Vendors
- Vendor Services Rate Sheet
- System of Payment Policy
- Billing & Timely Payment Policy
Interested in becoming a Therapy Vendor?
If you are interested in being considered as a vendor with TEIS, please click here to start the process: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/teis_vendor_interest
Each application received will be reviewed quarterly by TEIS district office leadership in your agency's area. Contracts are awarded based on needs in the area and the availability of funds.
All applications will be considered regardless of service delivery settings; however, TEIS gives preference to agencies willing to provide services in the child’s natural environment.
Vendors are awarded multi-year contracts.
Check out our YouTube playlist of TEIS Professional Development videos here. Previously recorded Lunch and Learns are also available in Relias, if you have a Relias account.
The schedule for the upcoming Lunch and Learns is below. All Lunch and Learns will be held virtually from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. The link to join can be found in our Tri-Starts newsletter.
- Wednesday, July 26th
- Wednesday, August 23rd
- Wednesday, September 20th
- Wednesday, October 25th
- Wednesday, November 29th
TEIS has developed trainings to support Early Intervention Service Providers delivering services to families in TEIS. Providers may access TEIS trainings in Relias. Providers that do not have active Relias accounts can now access the trainings by clicking the titles below.
Please provide feedback at the end of each course so the Staff and Provider Engagement Team can continue to meet your needs. We value your partnership with TEIS and want to support you in serving children and families in Tennessee.
Current Courses Available as of November 13, 2023:
- Reason Behind Federal Indicators
- Child Development Basics for Providers: Birth to Five
- Introduction to TEIDS for Early Intervention Service Providers
- IFSP Teaming
- Progress Toward Goals for Staff and Providers
- Provider Guidance Manual Overview
- Frequently Used Acronyms and Jargon in Early Intervention
- Documentation for Early Intervention Service Providers
- Vendor Orientation
- Eligibility Evaluation Agency Overview
- Overview of Katie Beckett and Family Support Programs
- Overview of TEIS Rights Brochure
To locate TEIS trainings in Relias, click on Course Library from your Relias Home Page and then enter TEIS in search feature.
The audience will view a mock Transition Planning Conference (TPC) presented by members of the Staff and Provider Engagement Team. This training was developed to help Service Coordinators prepare for and conduct a TPC.
Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards TN-ELDS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC
Child Care Resource and Referral
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, ASHA
Communicating With Baby: Tips and Milestones From Birth to Age 5
Kid Central
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
Zero to Three
Pathways
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) now serves eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays from birth until the start of the school year following the child’s 4th birthday.
The TEIS Extended Option was implemented on October 15, 2022. Previously, Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) served eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays from birth to age 3. Governor Bill Lee proposed extending TEIS to serve children past their 3rd birthday. Both the Tennessee General Assembly and the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) approved this proposal. This means families of children who are eligible for IDEA Part B services will have the choice to continue with TEIS services until the start of the school year following the child’s 4th birthday. This extension offers families an additional option to consider as they help their children develop and prepare for school.
Tri-Starts is our newsletter that is distributed on the 1st and 15th every month. It includes updates, stories, and other information about DIDD's Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS).
Click the following link to subscribe: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1925804/1918334/
The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) is the state agency responsible for oversight of services and support to Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DIDD partners with people, families, community-based providers, advocates, and others to ensure people with disabilities are supported to live the lives they envision for themselves.
DIDD provides services and supports to both children and adults in a variety of ways. These include supports through the Home and Community Based Waivers, the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), the Katie Beckett Program, the Family Support Program, and other programs. It aims to provide an array of services that support people and families to reach their optimal development and prepare them for independence, employment, and community engagement.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available free, appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) is governed by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Learn more here: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
Lunch & Learns
The TEIS Lunch and Learn series provides educational opportunities to families, providers, and anyone interested in learning more about TEIS and other topics centered around children’s development.
The audience will view a mock Transition Planning Conference (TPC) presented by members of the Staff and Provider Engagement Team. This training was developed to help Service Coordinators prepare for and conduct a TPC.
TN STEP
TNSTEP is a statewide organization that supports families of children and youth with disabilities from ages 3 to 26 by providing parent training, the latest and most relevant information and resources, and other supports to those navigating special education in Tennessee. TNSTEP believes that parents and caregivers are their children’s best advocates, that youth with disabilities should be self-advocates, and that no family should have to walk the path alone. More information can be found at www.tnstep.org.
Family Engagement in Special Education (Arc of TN)
Family Engagement in Special Education is a collaborative project of The Arc Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Education.
They help to empower parents and caregivers and increase family engagement in Special Education. This group consists of a team of individuals with background experiences as educators, mental health professionals, parents, caregivers of individuals with disabilities, and disability-related fields. The family engagement team members can provide knowledge and support from an educator and parent perspective. You can think of them as the bridge that connects your family to your school in a variety of ways.
Find success in your Special Education experience. Visit www.FamilyEngagementTN.com.
TEIS uses the Battelle Developmental Inventory, 3rd edition (BDI-3) for eligibility, ongoing assessment, and federal Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) data reporting.
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) now serves eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays from birth until the start of the school year following the child’s 4th birthday.
The TEIS Extended Option was implemented on October 15, 2022. Previously, Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) served eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays from birth to age 3. Governor Bill Lee proposed extending TEIS to serve children past their 3rd birthday. Both the Tennessee General Assembly and the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) approved this proposal. This means families of children who are eligible for IDEA Part B services will have the choice to continue with TEIS services until the start of the school year following the child’s 4th birthday. This extension offers families an additional option to consider as they help their children develop and prepare for school.
Click here for more information on the TEIS Extended Option.
Helpful Highlights:
Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards TN-ELDS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC
Child Care Resource and Referral
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, ASHA
Communicating With Baby: Tips and Milestones From Birth to Age 5
Kid Central
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
Zero to Three
Pathways
Refer a child to TEIS
You may make a referral to TEIS by completing our online referral form or by calling (800) 852-7157. The referral form can also be found in the MyTN app, available on your app store.
Contact Our Referral Team
Please be prepared to provide the child’s name, date of birth, county of residence, parent information (if someone other than the parent calls), and reason for referral.
Email: DD.TEIS_Referrals@tn.gov (note the underscore between “TEIS” and “Referrals”)
Phone: (800) 852-7157
Fax: 615-401-7714