It's always a great day when we get to see sweet smiling faces!
We had a blast visiting the Baby Bird Learning Center in Cumberland County last week. I always enjoy getting to interact directly with the children served through TEIS. I am thankful for opportunities like this that help us reenergize as we continue developing our program.
We also stopped by our Upper Cumberland Point of Entry office where we were met with great food and conversation. We discussed upcoming initiatives and opportunities within TEIS. We also had the opportunity to join in on the celebration of TEIS Service Coordinators ahead of TEIS Service Coordinator Appreciation Week.
I am looking forward to our upcoming visits to other areas of the state!
|
|
|
DIDD’s application to receive funding from the federal government for Tennessee Early Intervention System for the fiscal year 2023 was posted on March 24, 2023 and will remain posted for a total of sixty (60) days, through May 23, 2023. Comments may be emailed to Shannon Pargin at Shannon.Pargin@tn.gov or mailed to the below address:
Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Attn. Shannon Pargin
315 Deaderick Street
UBS Building, 8th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Click the following link to review the application: https://bit.ly/3ndSwOK
Please note, this application indicates the expansion of our current extended option program for eligible children for an additional year, until the start of school following their 5th birthday. This extension was included in Gov. Lee’s 2023-24 budget and approved by the Tennessee legislature, and now pending final approval from the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). As noted in this application, DIDD has a target date of August 31st to submit our updated extended program policies to OSEP. We encourage everyone to stay up to date on our progress for the extended program through our Tri-Starts newsletter.
The TEIS Extended Option Policy Statement and TEIS Extended Option Family Notification Document were posted on May 1, 2023 and will be available for viewing until July 3, 2023 on our website: www.tn.gov/didd/teis
Click the following link to review the TEIS Extended Option Policy Statement: https://bit.ly/3HoqYwD
Click the following link to review the TEIS Extended Option Family Notification Document: https://bit.ly/411lrDy
We will hold two virtual public hearings to receive public comment. The information for the public hearings can be found below.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
10 to 11 a.m. CST
Click here to join the meeting
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
2 to 3 p.m. CST
Click here to join the meeting
|
|
|
TEIS Provider Office Hours |
|
|
Ongoing Assessment Survey |
EIRA directors we want to hear from you as we reflect on the change in process of the collection of data. As we review the transition from AEPS to the BDI-3, we would like to gain some insight on factors that influenced how your agency collects data for the ongoing assessment of children that receive services. Complete the survey below by the end of the business day on May 29th.
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/ongoing__assessment_survey
|
New Training in Relias for EIRA Providers |
There is now a child development course in Relias for Early Intervention Resource Agency (EIRA) providers. In order to access the training, you must be an EIRA provider and have a Relias account. Read more about the training below.
Child Development Basics for Providers: Birth to Five
Child Development provides a general framework to guide parents, professionals, and others in understanding typical physical, emotional, and social development in young children and identifying milestones and next steps that occur as children continually grow and mature. This course will explore some general principles and milestones in child development from birth to age five. It will focus on how child development relates to TEIS eligibility, early intervention services, and dialogue with parents and caregivers on IFSP goals and child progress. (1 hour)
https://tndidd.training.reliaslearning.com/Learning/Catalog.aspx?CourseCode=TEIS_ChildDevelopmentBasicsforProvidersBirthtoFive
|
Early Intervention Lunch and Learns |
Check out our YouTube playlist of TEIS Professional Development videos here.
Thanks to all who attended our Occupational Therapy Specific for Early Intervention Lunch and Learn! The slides from the presentation are below. If you missed the training, please watch the recording on our YouTube playlist linked above.
Occupational Therapy Specific for Early Intervention Slides
Join us at our next Lunch and Learn: How to Identify Sensory Behaviors on Wednesday, May 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. Kelly Stojsavlevich and Amber Kapnick are from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and will provide an overview of sensory integration, share practical strategies to support children with sensory differences, and discuss ways to support families in seeking guidance from an occupational therapist.
Click here to join the meeting
|
|
| |
Kelly Stojsavlevich first worked at the UT Pediatric Language Clinic in 2013. After taking some time away with her children, she returned to the Pediatric Language Clinic in 2019. Ms. Stojsavlevich provides direct home-based and center-based services to families of children in Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) with indicators for autism or an autism diagnosis. She also provides consultation services to early interventionists who serve children with indicators for autism in outlying counties. She is passionate about empowering parents/caregivers to assist their children in reaching the goals established for them on the Individualized Family Service Plan. Her interests include early intervention, autism spectrum disorder, alternative and augmentative communication, and sensory integration.
|
|
|
Amber Kapnick joined the UT Pediatric Language Clinic in February 2023. Ms. Kapnick provides direct home-based services to families of children in Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) with indicators for autism or an autism diagnosis. Ms. Kapnick is eager to partner with parents and caregivers in facilitating growth toward Individualized Family Service Plan goals. Her interests include early intervention, autism spectrum disorder, motor skill development, and sensory integration.
|
| |
|
June’s Lunch and Learn: Motor Milestones and when to do a “Shout Out”! will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. Susan Anderson and Carrie Gross from LeBonheur Early Intervention and Development (LEAD) will provide an overview of the progression of motor milestones and how each one builds on the next. They will also discuss the importance of knowing when to reach out for support from other disciplines to address specific concerns-neurological, sensory, or equipment.
|
|
|
|
Susan Anderson has been a physical therapist assistant (PTA) for 39 years, 35 of those years have been spent working in early intervention. Susan works for Le Bonheur Early Intervention and Development (LEAD) which provides early intervention using a transdisciplinary, routines-based approach. She has provided intervention in homes, daycares, and other intervention facilities. She is also the Adaptive Equipment Specialist for Le Bonheur. She provides adaptive equipment support to LEAD, other Le Bonheur departments and other agencies in the community. She is also the Adaptive Equipment Specialist for the Le Bonheur Neuromuscular/CP Clinic. She has been a presenter for many years. She is a clinical instructor, guest lecturer and mentor for Southwest Tennessee Community College PTA program, University of Tennessee OT/PT program and the University of Memphis Biomedical Engineering program.
|
|
|
Carrie Gross is a physical therapist assistant (PTA) who has worked exclusively in early intervention for 27 years. Carrie works for LeBonheur Early Intervention and Development (LEAD) which provides early intervention using a transdisciplinary, routines-based approach. She provides physical therapy in natural environment settings mostly in rural county areas. She is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM). She holds an Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E). She serves as a clinical instructor for Southwest Tennessee Community College PTA program.
|
| |
|
Pause & Reflect Book Study |
|
|
| The Pause and Reflect Book Study will be held on the following dates:
June 14th 2 to 3 p.m. CST
June 28th 2 to 3 p.m. CST
July 12th 2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. CST
July 18th 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CST
|
|
|
Participants are required to purchase your own copy of the book and download the free study guide from Brookes Publishing. We have limited capacity; therefore, this professional development opportunity is only open to the first 21 members of EIRA leadership who apply (one per agency). This will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Below is the link to register. The link will expire after we have received 21 submissions.
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/pause_and_reflect_bookstudy
|
|
|
It’s a Balance: Supporting Caregiver & Child Learning During (and between!) Early Intervention Visits Series |
Thank you to all that attended our fourth webinar in the It's a Balance: Supporting Caregiver & Child Learning During (and after!) Early Intervention.
If you were unable to attend, the recording can be found here: https://youtu.be/O31YbfDWj0g
Download the session handouts here: https://bit.ly/41UrevE
Don't forget! The last webinar of the series is on May 25th! Prepare for the next session by downloading the handouts here: https://bit.ly/450R96O
This series is designed to build awareness and bring a balanced perspective to early intervention practice that facilitates learning for both caregivers and children during visits. These sessions will also include opportunities for participants to reflect on their practices, practice using specific strategies between sessions, and learn from others during interactive chat conversations that engage participants during each webinar.
Statewide Early Intervention Service Providers, Service Coordinators, and TEIS leaders are welcome.
Steps & Strategies for Conducting Balanced EI Visits: Time to Reflect
May 25th from 11 to 12:30 p.m. CST
Dana is facilitating 5 interactive webinars encouraging frequent engagement with and among participants using chat and Teams. Each webinar will stand alone but concepts also build on each other as participants gain a deeper understanding of how to support caregiver and child learning during and between intervention visits. She will provide a note-taking handout with key points from each session and a self-assessment or checklist on each topic to be shared with participants before each session.
|
|
|
Childcare Focus Group Updates |
The Early Intervention Childcare Group needs you!
The Early Intervention Childcare Group is looking for participants for the next childcare focus group which will target “How should a childcare session look utilizing FGRBI principles?”. The group is seeking individuals that enjoy providing services in childcare settings and can provide strategies and insight on how to implement SS-OO-PP-RR in the rapidly changing environment of a childcare classroom. If you are interested in participating, we have extended the dates to complete the interest form. You have until the end of business day on Thursday, May 25th to complete the form.
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/child_care_focus_group__fgrbi_interest_form_
|
|
|
TEIS Service Coordinator Appreciation Week |
Governor Bill Lee declared this week TEIS Service Coordinator Appreciation Week in recognition of the profound impact TEIS Service Coordinators have on Tennessee children and families. Check out the proclamation here: https://tnsos.net/publications/proclamations/files/2475.pdf
TEIS Service Coordinators’ direct involvement with children and families represents our central purpose, serving families so they can feel empowered to help their children grow and develop.
Infants and young children with disabilities and developmental delays are getting the support and services they need as Service Coordinators work directly with families to arrange therapy and other services, help families find resources within their community, and support families in becoming advocates for their children.
Follow along on social media as we highlight our Service Coordinators across the state!
|
|
|
Memphis Delta Staff Visit Mobile Seating & Positioning Clinic |
TEIS staff from our Memphis Delta office toured the West TN Mobile Seating & Positioning Clinic! They learned all about the specialized equipment that can be made to support people with disabilities and complex seating & positioning needs, even growing kiddos in TEIS.
The mobile clinic makes it easy for families to receive the support and services of the Seating and Positioning Clinics right to their door.
To learn more about our seating and positioning clinics, visit our website tn.gov/didd.
|
Zaylei Joins Good Morning America to Debut Barbie with Down Syndrome |
We love to see our TEIS families advocating for children with disabilities
A former TEIS family joined the National Down Syndrome Society on Good Morning America to debut a Barbie with down syndrome. Zaylei Adams was among many of her peers on the New York TV set playing with the dolls and celebrating this historic moment for the down syndrome community.
Zaylei received services through TEIS from 2013 to 2015 and is now an elementary student in Greeneville, TN.
Click here to read the article.
|
|
|
- TEIS Provider Office Hours: May 17th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. CST
-
Part C Application & Policy Statement Public Hearing #1: May 18th from 10 to 11 a.m. CST
- Lunch and Learn: How to Identify Sensory Behaviors: May 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST
- Steps & Strategies for Conducting Balanced EI Visits: Time to Reflect: May 25th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST
-
Part C Application & Policy Statement Public Hearing #2: June 14th from 2 to 3 p.m. CST
- Lunch and Learn: Motor Milestones and When to Do a “Shout Out”: June 21st from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
315 Deaderick St | Nashville, TN 37243 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to lisa.gosnell@tnstep.info.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|