Service Provider Resources

For Providers (1500 × 312 px) - 1

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.

Interested in becoming a 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. 

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 April 2024:

To locate TEIS trainings in Relias, click on Course Library from your Relias Home Page and then enter TEIS in search feature.  

Early Intervention Lunch and Learns

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.

Click here to download the presentations.

Lunch and Learns occur monthly. Information about our Lunch and Learns is shared in our newsletter, Tri-Starts.

Coffee Breaks

January 2024 - Indicator 4

February 2024 - Adapting Goals

March 2024 - Problem Solving

April 2024 - Problem Solving

Mock Transition Planning Conference

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.  

TEIS Extended Option

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 5th birthday. 

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 5th 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.

 

Steps to Success

A practical guide to transition for parents in Tennessee's Early Intervention System (TEIS).

Click here to view the Steps to Success brochure.

A directory of services offered across the state of Tennessee including, advocacy, basic needs, communication, direct care, housing/homelessness to name a few of the topics.

Join a community of like-minded individuals passionate about early intervention. Access exclusive content and insider knowledge. Stay steps ahead in the field by tapping into the wealth of information shared by guests. 

Join Alison and Stacy as they feature the insight of professionals, expert educators and those with lived experiences from around the country speaking on topics relevant to families and children within the community of the blind and visually disabled. Please stay tuned for scheduled events below and register to attend or follow BEST Together podcast to listen to past and future episodes.  

Visit the link below to learn about developmental milestone information for children birth through age 5, and how these can apply to academic-based learning.

Visit the links below to learn about developmental milestones and other developmental information from birth to age 5, in multiple languages including English, Spanish, and Arabic.

This program assists parents in finding childcare placement for their children, as well as support and information for classroom teachers and early interventionists on working with children with special needs in the classroom.

Learn about the signs of a possible hearing loss or speech/language delay from ASHA, the professional organization for speech language pathologists.

Visit the link below for strategies and information on addressing communication concerns with children under age 5.

Tennessee specific resources for parents and professionals to explore resources for health, education, and resources and support as needed. 

 

Zero to Three provides parents and providers knowledge to support children from birth to 3 years old, from education and special education, to equity and inclusion, to nurture our youngest children.  

Pathways provides evidence-based resources for parents and providers to support child development with handouts, videos, and more.

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.

Want to know more about DIDD's programs? Start here.

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