Lead Agency

(1) The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is designated by the Governor as lead agency for TEIS and is responsible for the administration of the State’s early intervention system. (2) The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, in accordance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C.A. §§ 1431 (Part C), et seq. and state interagency agreements, shall be responsible for: (a) The general administration and supervision of programs that receive funding under IDEA Part C to provide services to eligible infants and toddlers and their families; and (b) Assigning financial responsibility among appropriate agencies for early intervention services. (3) The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities shall be responsible for the supervision and monitoring of programs including: (a) Supervising and monitoring programs and activities that comprise the early intervention system, including agencies, institutions, and organizations which provide early intervention services to children eligible under Part C and their families, for compliance with IDEA Part C and the provisions of federal and state regulations, policies and procedures, whether or not the programs or activities receive financial assistance under Part C of IDEA; (b) Providing, or facilitating the provision of, technical assistance to those agencies, institutions, and organizations including self-evaluation, program planning and implementation; (c) Enforcing obligations imposed on those agencies, institutions and organizations as required under these regulations; and (d) Directing that deficiencies identified through monitoring be corrected. (4) Each agency receiving assistance under IDEA Part C shall: (a) Submit financial and other written reports at the time and manner specified by TEIS; and (b) Participate in periodic on-site monitoring visits conducted by TEIS. TENNESSEE’S EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM CHAPTER 0465-04-01 (5) The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities shall utilize funds provided under IDEA Part C that are reasonable and necessary for administering the state early intervention system. (6) TEIS shall ensure that traditionally underserved groups, including minority, low-income, and rural families, are meaningfully involved in the planning and implementation of all components of the early intervention system and that these families have access to culturally competent services within their local geographical areas. (7) The lead agency shall utilize contractual arrangements as a method of securing required early intervention services for children and families. Each contractor will be required by the terms of its contract to adhere to all applicable state and federal requirements for the provision of services to Part C eligible children and their families. (a) All early intervention services provided for eligible children and their families shall meet the definition of early intervention services and shall be provided in a manner that is consistent with state and federal standards for services under IDEA Part C. (b) Procurement of early intervention services by service providers shall conform to the applicable agency procurement policies. (c) Individuals or organizations seeking to provide early interventions services shall meet the requirements and standards established by the lead agency.