Tennessee's Early Intervention System (TEIS) is a program mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Part C of the act pertains to Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities. We are funded by a federal grant through the Tennessee Department of Education and which is managed by the University of Memphis.

There are nine TEIS Districts in the state of Tennessee. Memphis Delta District, which is our area, encompasses Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton Countries. TEIS works with families of children from birth to three years of age who have developmental delays or have a diagnosed condition that is likely to cause developmental delays.

When we receive a referral on a child, an appointment is made for a service coordinator (Project Associate) to go into the child's home and meet with the family, screen or evaluate the child and discuss the additional evaluations, if any, the child needs to determine eligibility for TEIS according to state guidelines. Additionally, at every initial meeting with the family, the service coordinator is required to fully explain the Parental Rights under IDEA. Upon determination of eligibility, the service coordinator then works with the family in getting any educationally based and therapy services that the child needs to encourage normal development.

In order to be able to provide services for these children in these 4 counties, TEIS contracts with agencies, corporations and individuals who will provide special instruction, speech, occupational and physical therapies, vision training, etc. for our approximately 35-40 service providers. Because TEIS funds are available to pay for some services, but only as a last resort, we work closely with our contract service providers, insurance companies and TennCare organizations regarding payment issues. Invoices from these many sources are processed on a monthly basis, at a minimum.

Before a child can receive any services as a TEIS eligible child, an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) must be written. A team of people including the parents, therapists, other service providers and the TEIS service coordinator, convene and write a plan for the child and family based on educational and medical needs of the child as well as the family's concerns and priorities. This is a legal document that cannot be changed without consult and agreement of the "team".

TEIS also acts as a liaison between the families and the local school systems to transition the child into the public schools at the age of three. The school systems have yet another set of criteria for the child to meet for eligibility for services prior to age five. We assist parents in finding other options if the public school is not what the "team" determines is most appropriate.

Although TEIS is educationally based, we wear many different hats while offering emotional and financial support, if needed, to families and their children with disabilities.