TEIS Service Provider 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.

DDA Early Intervention Orientation

The purpose of this PowerPoint is to supplement the information that the Staff and Provider Engagement Team has provided in the Provider Guidance Manual (PGM) and the trainings that are available in Relias and on the Community Resource website. We hope that you find it helpful!

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 becoming a vendor with TEIS, please complete the interest form for your discipline Therapy Vendor, Assistive Technology or Interpreter) to begin the process. 

Each vendor interest form submission will be reviewed quarterly by TEIS leadership. Contracts are awarded based on program needs and funds available. 

All applications will be considered regardless of service delivery settings. However, TEIS gives preference to agencies or individuals who serve multiple counties and are credentialed with and accept multiple insurances. Special consideration is also given to agencies willing to provide services in the child’s natural environment (e.g. in the family's home).    

Vendors are awarded multi-year contracts.

Agencies or individuals interested in providing therapy services of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Audiology Evaluations, Psychological Assessments/Evaluations, Vision Assessments/Services, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, Board Certified Associate Behavioral Analyst, and/or Registered Behavior Technician, click here to complete the interest form.

Agencies interested in providing assistive technology services, click here to complete interest form.  

Agencies or individuals interested in providing interpreter services to children and families enrolled in TEIS, click here to complete the interest form. 

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. 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.  A Training Menu with course names, descriptions, estimated length, and links can be found here.

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 - 2024

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.

Tennessee Down Syndrome Associations: 

Down Syndrome adapted milestones 
https://ndss.org/resources/early-intervention 

Parent resource information 
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/down-syndrome.html 

Down Syndrome Guide for Parents 
https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/resources/DS%20Guide%20for%20Parents.pdf

Down Syndrome Guide for Doctors 
https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/resources/DS%20Guide%20for%20Doctors.pdf

International 22q11.2 Foundation 
https://22q.org/

22q Family Foundation: 
https://22qfamilyfoundation.org/

NIH Gene Reviews: 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1523/

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 Disability and Aging (DDA) is the state agency responsible for the oversight of services and support for people with disabilities and adults aged 60 and over. The department partners with people, families, community-based providers, advocates, and others to ensure people are supported to live the lives they envision for themselves.

DDA provides services and supports to both children and adults in a variety of ways. To learn more, please visit: Interested in Services? (tn.gov)

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.

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.

Contact Our Referral Team

Email: DD.TEIS_Referrals@tn.gov (note the underscore between “TEIS” and “Referrals”)
Phone: (800) 852-7157
Fax: 615-401-7714