July 3, 2023

We will be holding a Lunch and Learn for families to learn all about the TEIS Extended Option and ask questions! This family-focused presentation will be on July 19th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. The information to join is below. 

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 289 705 760 811
Passcode: ACbhr7

We are pleased to announce that TEIS earned the designation of “Meets Requirements” from the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in our 2023 annual determination. 

As required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004, OSEP issues annual determinations to states related to meeting requirements and purposes of IDEA Part C using the following determination categories: 

State determinations are based on the information reported in the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report, Early Childhood Outcomes data, and other required reports (i.e., child count and settings; exiting; dispute resolution).  

This year 25 states/territories met requirements, 19 states/territories need assistance, and two states need intervention. For more information about the 2023 determinations, please visit OSERS Issues 2023 State Implementation of IDEA Determination Letters - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 

EIRA Agencies  

When completing invoices for payment each month, please ensure that you include the date the invoice was signed. The date of service does not serve as the date the invoice was signed.  

 As we approach the end of the fiscal year, please be sure all invoices have been sent to TEIS.Invoices@tn.gov.  Invoices should be submitted no later than 60 days from the month of service. For example, May invoices should be submitted no later than July.   

The deadline to submit Annual Reports is September 30, 2023. A template for the annual report can be found here: https://bit.ly/3MfALXw. Information on what should be provided in the annual report can be found in your contract. 

New invoicing workbooks for FY 23-24 are anticipated to be sent to each EIRA before August 15, 2023.  

Vendor Agencies  

When completing claims for payment, please ensure that you include the date the claim was signed. The date of service does not serve as the date the invoice was signed. 

The State of Tennessee will be conducting end-of-year procedures for fiscal year 2023 starting July 1, 2023. This is a customary year-end closing procedure. Starting July 1, 2023, any invoices for fiscal year 2023 will not be able to be processed for payment until mid- July 2023. Please read below for information specific to your contract type.  

Early Intervention Resource Agencies (EIRAs) and other contracts except vendors under contract #60327: Please submit your May and earlier invoices as soon as possible during the month of June. TEIS will attempt to get these in the payment process before payment processes are stopped on July 1. June invoices will be processed in July 2023 once payment processes resume. Please do not submit a partial invoice for June with a final to come at a later date. One invoice for June with all appropriate expenditures should be submitted no later than August 31, 2023.  

Vendors under contract #60327: Please continue to submit billing to the Fiscal Services Team using TEIS.Invoices@tn.gov. All billing will continue to be processed as normal. Agencies will receive an invoice report for May 1–31, 2023, and it is anticipated that payment should be made prior to payment processes being stopped. Agencies will also receive an invoice report for June 1-30, 2023; however, this invoice report will be delayed for processing until mid-July 2023.  

End-of-year processes should not affect invoices or invoice reports for July 2023. 

The next TEIS Provider Office Hours is Wednesday, July 12th at 11 a.m. Office Hours will include a presentation on the TEIS Extended Option for providers as well as time for pre-submitted questions. Pre-submit questions to Carly.Carlton@tn.gov by Monday, July 10th.   

Click here to join the meeting 

As TEIS continues to experience program growth, leadership remains committed to making thoughtful decisions to ensure TEIS staff and providers receive the support they need. TEIS leaders have conducted careful review of program needs, staff and provider input, and budget considerations for the new fiscal year (beginning July 1). To continue our commitment to being mission-driven, responsive to feedback, and fiscally responsible, TEIS will launch Time for Teaming, organized regional teaming days, in lieu of BBP this year.  

We have received your feedback regarding the need for networking and collaboration with providers and stakeholders in your region. The Time for Teaming regional teaming days will offer opportunities for key TEIS partners within our early intervention system to come together. We believe that these events will provide valuable opportunities for all contributors to our early intervention system to connect and strengthen relationships. By fostering a supportive network, we will improve the outcomes for the children and families we serve. 

We look forward to answering any questions you have regarding this exciting teaming opportunity at our next Office Hours. 

We are thrilled to introduce the Provider Guidance Manual, a comprehensive resource designed to offer detailed information and guidance to all Early Intervention Service Providers. This manual serves as a working document to support providers in their crucial role. To access the manual, please click on the link below. 

TEIS Community Resources 

The Provider Guidance Manual Overview for Early Intervention Service Providers course is available in Relias and is approximately 1 hour in length. It will provide the learner with a general understanding of the information outlined in the Provider Guidance Manual. It contains the high points related to the daily tasks of Early Intervention Resource Agencies, Vendors, and Eligibility Evaluation Agencies. This course was developed by the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) Staff and Provider Engagement Team.  

It is that time of year again for all agencies who contract with DIDD to provide services to fill out the annual Title VI Self Survey [including but not limited to providers of 1915(c) waiver services, TEIS, Katie Beckett, ICF/IID homes, MAPs, etc.]. 

The Title VI Self-Survey can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e0arsa7jpl492lo/2023%20Title_VI_Self_Survey_.pdf?dl=0.

The 2023 Title VI Self-Survey covers data for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. Accordingly, please do not complete the survey until after the end of the Fiscal Year on June 30, 2023, as the information included will cover the entirety of the period from July 1st, 2022 until June 30th, 2023.

Beginning July 1st, 2023, please return the completed Title VI Self Survey to both DIDD.OCR@tn.gov and Simone.Cuarino@tn.gov by August 1, 2023. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Seth.Wilson@tn.gov.   

Documentation for Early Intervention Service Providers: This course covers the basics of documentation including why it is important to the work of early intervention service providers. This lesson targets all early intervention service providers: Eligibility Evaluation Agencies, Early Intervention Resource Agencies, and Vendors.   

Estimated Duration: 45 minutes 

TEIS Progress Toward Goals for Staff and Providers: The Progress Toward Goals form is a tool used to facilitate discussion surrounding goals for Six Month and Annual IFSP Reviews. The purpose of this training is to provide information on how to use the Progress Toward Goals form and discuss the roles of each member of the IFSP team.  This course was developed by the TEIS Staff and Provider Engagement Team. 

Estimated Duration: 30 minutes 

Frequently Used Jargon and Acronyms in Early Intervention: The use of acronyms and jargon is common in most professions. Early Intervention is no exception. In this course, we will define frequently used acronyms and terms used within TEIS to help newly hired staff. We will also offer friendly reminders for seasoned staff and providers to avoid using jargon and acronyms with families. This is important in goal writing and during conversations with parents. 

Estimated Duration: 15 minutes 

Check out our YouTube playlist of TEIS Professional Development videos here. 

Thanks to all who attended the June Lunch and Learn Motor Milestones and when to do a “Shout Out”! The attendants said their biggest takeaway from the training was how to use random household items as tools for gross motor development.  If you missed the training, please watch the recording on our YouTube playlist linked above. 

Join us for our next Lunch and Learn: All Things Hearing - An Overview of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program on July 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. This informative session will provide an overview of the Newborn Hearing Follow-Up program and delve into the topic of hearing loss. Our esteemed presenters will include Holli Allen, the Newborn Hearing Follow-Up Program Director, Dr. Brittany Day, a Contracted Audiologist for the Newborn Hearing Follow-Up Program, and Charles Lechner, an Epidemiologist specializing in Newborn Hearing Follow-Up. 

During this Lunch and Learn, you will gain valuable insights into hearing loss diagnoses and learn about the specialized services required for children diagnosed with hearing loss. 

Click here to join the meeting 
Meeting ID: 266 314 428 94  
Passcode: xXoHNw 

Holli Allen, B.A. is the Program Director for the Tennessee Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. Her professional experience includes care coordination for families with special health care needs and federal grant management. Holli holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a graduate certification in Health Care Management from East Tennessee State University. 

Brittany Day, AuD, CCC-A is a pediatric audiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and is the Audiology Consultant to the Tennessee EHDI program. Her clinical experience includes early hearing detection and intervention, electrophysiologic evaluation and management of medically complex infants and children, pediatric diagnostics and rehabilitation, and educational audiology. She previously directed the Inpatient Pediatric Audiology and Newborn Hearing Screening clinical programs at VUMC. Currently, she conducts research in the area of newborn hearing and is pursuing a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management. Brittany volunteers as the Tennessee Professional Mentor for the Student Academy of Audiology State Ambassador Program and as Clinical Director of the Tennessee Special Olympics Healthy Hearing and Young Athlete Pediatric Screening programs. 

Charles Lechner joined the Newborn Hearing Follow Up Program within the TN Department of Health in February 2023 as an epidemiologist. Prior to this position, he was an Association of Public Health Laboratories Data Analytics Fellow stationed within the TN Newborn Screening Program for a year and a half. His background is in bioinformatics, and he is passionate about using technology and data to better the lives of others, especially within the fields of neonatology and pediatrics. 

The schedule for 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

Our TEIS Vendor Advisory Council has an immediate opening for a new member to represent our vendor community. This council meets quarterly and works with TEIS leadership to build relationships, improve communications, and engage vendors statewide. If you’d like to learn more about the council, please visit our website at the following link: https://www.tn.gov/didd/for-consumers/tennessee-early-intervention-system-teis/teis-advisory-councils.html

If you’re a TEIS Vendor interested in serving on this council, please fill out the interest form at the following link by July 15th: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/teis_vendor_advisory_council_interest_form  

East Tennessee State University is conducting a research study involving early interventionists’ knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of working with infants, children, and families with and without prenatal substance exposure.  

Early interventionists with experience working with infants and toddlers (0-3 years old) in the State of Tennessee can participate in the study. Participants will receive a $10 gift card for completing an online survey via Qualtrics which should take about 20 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary. 

Click here to learn more and take the survey. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to the research team. 

Allie Chroust, PhD  
Assistant Professor  
Department of Psychology  
East Tennessee State University  
chroust@etsu.edu  

Kara Boynewicz, PhD, PT, DPT, ATC  
Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (ABPTS) 
Assistant Professor  
Department of Physical Therapy  
East Tennessee State University  
boynewicz@etsu.edu  

Kim Hale, PhD  
Director, Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development  
Associate Professor  
Clemmer College of Education  
East Tennessee State University  
halekd@etsu.edu   

Do you have a story you would like to share with the TEIS community? Send your newsletter ideas to Carly Carlton at Carly.Carlton@tn.gov.