Established in 2016, the BRIDGES Early Intervention Resource Agency was created to help support families, caregivers, and children with special needs from birth to age three.
The agency works with the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), a division of the Tennessee Department of Education, and serves counties in the Upper Cumberland region.
Our program provides home-based developmental therapy to children who have a diagnosed disability or have a developmental delay.
Our staff visits homes to work with children with disabilities.
The staff members help coach the families and model ways to interact with their child in order to improve their child’s development.
- Informational Brochures in English & Espanol
- Receiving Home-Based Developmental Therapy Assistance
Visit the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) website or call TEIS at 1-800-852-7157
A referral must be made to TEIS.
Anyone may make the referral, just call the toll-free number above.TEIS will arrange an evaluation to help determine if the child is eligible.
If the child is eligible, TEIS will assign a Service Coordinator to the family.
The Service Coordinator will help the family decide on the first set of goals and arrange Developmental Therapy if needed.
If the family and Service Coordinator decide that Developmental Therapy is needed, the coordinator will contact the appropriate assistance program.
Once a Service Coordinator contacts BRIDGES, we will assign a Developmental Therapist to the family and the therapist will contact the family to arrange the first visit.
About Home-Based Therapy
- What is home-based developmental therapy?
Teamwork: Collaboration is important, so families and staff work together.
Communication: Families tell us the goals most important for their child.
Learning: The staff will demonstrate activities to help with the child's development.
Support: BRIDGES is there to support the family as well as the child.
Flexible: The program is designed to meet families' needs. Visits may be scheduled at home, childcare location, or any other natural setting for the child.
FREE: No need to purchase special equipment. Our staff uses toys and other safe items on-hand in the home.
- What to expect from the program.
Consistency: Our staff will maintain a consistent schedule. We know it is helpful for the child and also the family's schedule.
Questions: We will ask questions about your child and his or her progress. We will ask about your priorities and what is important for your child and your family.
Trying New Things: We will demonstrate activities and provide suggestions or ideas about helping your child meet goals.
Listening and Learning Together: We understand that you are the expert on your child and are excited to work with you!
- Resources for Families & Caregivers
Contact Us
Martha Howard, Executive Director
Adrianne Colquitt, Director
Tennessee Tech University
Campus Box 5146
200 W. 10th Street
Cookeville, TN 38505
P: 931-372-6272
E: bridges@tntech.edu
MORE RESOURCES
The Milestones program serves families with children birth to age three (3) throughout Middle Tennessee, as an independent evaluation agency.
