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Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Understanding the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) Transition during COVID 19

 


In Tennessee families who have a child aged birth to three years who have disabilities or developmental delays can get services for their child through Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). Children diagnosed with certain disabilities in two developmental areas, or are delayed by 40 percent in one area, may be eligible for TEIS. Information from a physician may be used to determine eligibility. TEIS is part of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).

TEIS and DIDD are committed to working with local schools to provide information and services for a smooth transition to Special Education (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA; Part B services) (Learn more about IDEA Part B – Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities here). 

For children who have not been able to have transition-related activities due to COVID-19, DIDD is temporarily offering developmental therapy. These children must have been receiving early intervention services and have turned three on or after March 16, 2020 not yet been found eligible for Special Education (Part B) services. DIDD will provide services through February 28, 2021. The flowchart above shows more information about whether your child is eligible for these services and how to get started.

Each month, TEIS will be providing the Tennessee Department of Education with a list of children who have turned three years old since March 16, 2020. If the children on the list have not yet received their Special Education (Part B) eligibility determinations, TEIS will reach out to their families and offer therapy until they are eligible up until February 28, 2021. This ensures that services will continue to be provided during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

If you have any questions about your child’s TEIS transition at age 3, please reach out to your TEIS Service Coordinator to ask. If you still need help, you can reach out to us at specialeducation@thearctn.org.

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