TEIS Advisory Councils

State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC)

The State Interagency Coordinating Council for TEIS has established a guiding vision to support the department through a statewide comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in Tennessee.  This council is statutorily created and required by law.

If you would like to learn more about the SICC, read our bylaws.

Meetings

Location

MTRO/DDA Campus
One Cannon - Debbie Payne Conference Room
275 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville TN 37214

Accessibility

ASL interpreters can be requested by contacting Carly.Carlton@tn.gov. Requests must be submitted two weeks prior to the meeting.

Public Comment

SICC meetings are open to the public and allow for public comment. If you would like to speak, please sign up online, no later than 4 p.m. CST the Thursday before any scheduled meeting. 

Speakers must attend in person. Speakers are not required to sign up in advance but are limited to five minutes in front of the council. Speakers are permitted to address the council on a specific agenda item, or any issue related to the council. The chair, at his or her discretion, may extend the time limit to allow for more questioning.

Sign up to speak

2025 Meeting Dates

  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2025
  • Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Rebecca Aslinger Parent Representative/Chair East
Jessica Beaver EIRA Representative West
Melissa Binkley Commissioner of Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services or Designee Statewide
Tim Cooper Commissioner of Department of Children's Services or Designee Statewide
Chase Davenport Early Intervention Service Provider East
Mary Fleck Personnel Preparation Representative Statewide
Andrea Goins Representative of Pediatric Health & Medical Service Providers Statewide
Ferrell Haile Legislative Representative Statewide
Andrea Hughie Parent Representative Middle
Catherine Knowles Office of Coordinator of Education of Homeless Youth  Statewide
Gwen Laaser Commissioner of Department of Human Services or Designee Statewide
Lisa Manis Early Intervention Service Provider East
Scott McNally Commissioner of Commerce & Insurance or Designee Statewide
Tara Milen Head Start Program Statewide
Angela Miller Commissioner of Health or Designee Statewide
Shelby Ritter 619 Coordinator Statewide
Jill Rogers Parent Representative West
Kathleen Simcoe Early Intervention Service Provider Middle
Amy Slack Parent Representative West
Gary Smith TennCare Long Term Services and Supports Representative Statewide
Kimberly Wingate Higher Education Representative Statewide
Caitlin Wise Parent Representative Middle
Jeremy Wright Parent Representative Middle

Early Intervention Resource Agency (EIRA) Advisory Council

The council collaborates on issues affecting Early Intervention Resource Agencies (EIRAs), how EIRAs can better serve children and families, and ways to increase access to services and improve procedures for all children across the state. The council also serves as an open line of communication and feedback between the state and EIRAs.

2025 Meeting Dates

  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025
  • Tuesday, May 13, 2025
  • Tuesday, August 12, 2025
  • Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Lydia Barry   Middle
Sarah Bowe Co-Chair Middle
Jen Choate   Middle
Shelly Crais   Middle
Michelle Fox   West
Amy Houk   West
Lisa Manis Chair West
Katie McDonald   East
Rachel Pace   East
Jane Wilson-Moses   East

Vendor Advisory Council

The council collaborates on issues affecting Therapy Vendor Providers and formulates new ideas that will positively impact therapy vendors, children, and families. The council also serves as an open line of communication and feedback between the state and Early Intervention Therapy Vendor Providers.

2025 Meetings Dates

*Advisory council meetings are not open to the public.

  • Thursday, January 9, 2025
  • Thursday, April 10, 2025
  • Thursday, July 10, 2025
  • Thursday, October 9, 2025
Scooter Ball East
Jeanni Bonine East
Danielle Carder Middle
Kristin Garner (Chair) Middle
Holly Hanna East
Denise Hood Middle
Chrystal Lynn West
Kathleen Simcoe (Co-Chair) Middle
Haley Vincent West

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