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.
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