Tennessee’s Early Intervention System (TEIS) First District Teaching Hands Early Intervention Program is a community-based program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, delayed development, or those who are at risk for developmental delays.

    Early intervention staff provide developmental assessments, special educational training in the home with the child and family, and connect the family to community resources. There is no cost to a family in the Teaching Hands program, as long as the child being served is determined eligible under the State of Tennessee Definition of Developmental Delay for Early Intervention Programs.

    Referrals are made to Tennessee’s Early Intervention System at 423-434-4401. A service coordinator meets with the family, coordinates eligibility assessments, and explains the family’s rights for eligible children. Service coordinators contact Teaching Hands, if the family needs an in-home teacher.

    The Teaching Hands staff includes Cynthia Hales and Misty Lawson. This program is funded by the Tennessee State Department of Education and is part of Tennessee’s Early Intervention System First District, a part of the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development at East Tennessee State University.