A child with a disability is eligible for services from the school system from age 3 through age 22.
Transition planning from early intervention services through Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) to school services should occur between 9 months to 90 days before a child's 3rd birthday:
- Parent/Guardian(s) must request, in writing, a meeting with the school district (Local Education Agency or LEA) and the assigned TEIS Service Coordinator to discuss a child's eligibility for special education services.
- At this meeting, or Transition Conference, your child's eligibility for special education services will be determined by the school district.
- If eligible for Special Education services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting will be scheduled to determine academic goals and relevant educational services. This meeting must take place before a child's 3rd birthday.
- If not eligible for Special Education services, the TEIS Coordinator will discuss alternative community-based options.
Tennessee Special Education Resources
Tennessee Early Intervention System Transition brochure: provides information about transition services available through TEIS. Last Revised in August 2009
Tennessee Special Education Manual: provides information about services available through the Tennessee Department of Education, Special Education Division. Last Revised in 2010
The Tennessee Department of Education, Transition Services provides information on secondary transition services and helps families to prepare children for adulthood.
Pathfinder Resources
Database of Services: Relevant keywords may include: Advocacy, Child Care Programs, Employment Services/Vocational Training, IDEA Information and/or Training Programs, Special Education Programs.
School-Age (3-22 years)
Self Advocacy Organizations and Programs in Tennessee
Understanding School-Based Plans in Tennessee
Other Resources
Access Americorps: is an inclusion program for individuals with disabilities of Americorp. AmeriCorps members receive benefits in exchange for a term (10-12 months) of full-time service (1700 hours). During a term of service members receive a living allowance and at the completion of 1700 hours, an educational award that can be applied toward future educational training or to repay student loans.
Alignment Nashville: The mission is to bring community organizations and resources into alignment so that their coordinated support of Nashville’s youth has a positive impact on public school success, children’s health, and the success of our community as a whole.
Arc Tennessee, Secondary Transition Project: Educates families and students on the process of Secondary Transition including assessment, information gathering, planning, family and student involvement, interagency collaboration, and inclusive community experiences; helps students explore realistic possibilities for adult life and a meaningful future.
Behavior Analysis Clinic, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center: provides in-depth assessments of the causes of behavior problems and develop family-oriented, person-centered interventions. Clinicians follow-up in the home, training care providers to carry out the recommended interventions.
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Clinic at Vanderbilt (BHID-V): helps young adults with intellectual disabilities, ages 17 and over, cope with challenges associated with transition from school to adult life.
Disability Law and Advocacy Center of Tennessee (DLAC): Services provided are advocacy, legal services, and training for families regarding educational rights.
Family Village: A comprehensive information website about various disability topics, including transition.
Family Voices of Tennessee: is a program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, which provides advocacy and training to families on navigating the health care system. Family Voices assist families with transitioning from pediatric care into the adult healthcare system.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) Transition to Preschool: Information for families transitioning from Early Intervention to Preschool.
Support and Training for Exceptional Parents, Inc. (STEP): Services include parent training workshops on various Special Education topics, assisting with Individual Education Plans (IEP) meetings, including transition issues.
Project Opportunity: is a career training and employment program for students with disabilities, ages 18 years - 22 years. Students are trained, both in a classroom setting as well as “on the job,” to be competitive applicants for existing positions within the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and community at large.
Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation Services: provides an array of services to help individuals with disabilites to compete in the job market.
Tennessee Voices for Children: provides advocacy and training for families whose children have emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health diagnosis.
TennesseeWorks.org: is an information hub for employment resources for individuals with disabilities. The website was developed by the Tennessee Collaborative for Meaningful Work, which is focused on obtaining equal access to employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Think College: is a website that provides resources for students and families who are preparing for post secondary education.
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Transition from School Services to Adult Life (23 years and older)
This transition includes educational programs and/or vocational training that prepare students with disabilities for adulthood after secondary education services have concluded.
A child is entitled to receive Special Education and related services until age 22. It is important that a student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) addresses transition issues during the secondary school years.
Comprehensive planning well in advance will make the transition from school to adult life as seamless as possible.
Tennessee Special Education Resources
The Tennessee Department of Education, Transition Services provides information on secondary transition services and helps families to prepare children for adulthood.
Pathfinder Resources
Database of Services: Relevant keywords may include: Advocacy, Employment Services/Vocational Training, or Secondary Transition Programs
Employment Resources
Post-Secondary Education Resources
Self Advocacy Organizations and Programs in Tennessee
Other Resources
Access Americorps: is an inclusion program for individuals with disabilities of Americorp. AmeriCorps members receive benefits in exchange for a term (10-12 months) of full-time service (1700 hours). During a term of service members receive a living allowance and at the completion of 1700 hours, an educational award that can be applied toward future educational training or to repay student loans.
Alignment Nashville: The mission is to bring community organizations and resources into alignment so that their coordinated support of Nashville’s youth has a positive impact on public school success, children’s health, and the success of our community as a whole.
Arc of Tennessee, Secondary Transition Project: Educates families and students on the process of Secondary Transition including assessment, information gathering, planning, family and student involvement, interagency collaboration, and inclusive community experiences; helps students explore realistic possibilities for adult life and a meaningful future.
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Clinic at Vanderbilt (BHID-V): helps young adults with intellectual disabilities, ages 17 and over, cope with challenges associated with transition from school to adult life.
Benefits To Work, a program to assist Social Security beneficiaries and recipients with disabilities who are exploring career development. The Center for Independent Living of Middle Tennessee operates the program for residents in parts of Middle & West Tennessee and Tennessee Disability Coalition operates the program for residents in parts of Middle & East Tennessee.
Center on Disability and Employment (CDE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville: provides research and outreach services for people with disabilities in the area of employment.
Disability Law and Advocacy Center of Tennessee (DLAC): Services provided are advocacy, legal services, and training for families regarding educational rights.
Emerging Leaders: a program that places college students with disabilities in fulfilling summer internships and provides them with leadership development opportunities.
Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN): An initiative by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides tools and resources for jobseekers with disabilities and assist employers in the recruitment of employees with disabilities.
Family Village: A comprehensive information website about various disability topics, including transition.
Family Voices of Tennessee: is a program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, which provides advocacy and training to families on navigating the health care system. Family Voices assist families with transitioning from pediatric care into the adult healthcare system.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN): A service provided by the U.S. Labor Department, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) which provides information on job accommodations, self-employment, and small business opportunities.
Next Steps at Vanderbilt University: A 2-year certification program for students with intellectual disabilities, providing individualized Programs of Study in the areas of education, social skills, and vocational training.
Project Opportunity: is a career training and employment program for students with disabilities, ages 18 years - 22 years. Students are trained, both in a classroom setting as well as “on the job,” to be competitive applicants for existing positions within the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and community at large.
Tennessee Career Centers: provides resources and job bank for individuals with disabilities.
Tennessee Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education: provides resources on vocational education and training.
Tennessee Small Business Centers provide business counseling and vocational training referrals.
Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation Services: provides an array of services to help individuals with disabilites to compete in the job market.
Tennessee Voices for Children: provides advocacy and training for families whose children have emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health diagnosis.
TennesseeWorks.org: is an information hub for employment resources for individuals with disabilities. The website was developed by the Tennessee Collaborative for Meaningful Work, which is focused on obtaining equal access to employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Think College: is a website that provides resources for students and families who are preparing for post secondary education.
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