Middle Tennessee State University’s Early Learning Programs receives $8.5 million from Tennessee Department of Disabilities and Aging

Middle Tennessee State University has received $8.5 million in grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Disabilities and Aging, formerly the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The College of Education’s Home and Community-Based Early Intervention Program will use the funding to provide services to children from birth to age five who have special needs.

According to an article on Middle Tennessee State University's website, Connie Casha, who serves as the director of MTSU’s Early Learning Programs, explained the necessity of the services provided by the university’s Home and Community-Based Early Intervention Program, saying, “Families don’t always recognize that a child isn’t reaching developmental milestones in a timely manner. If it is determined that the child has a developmental delay or a diagnosed disability, the child is eligible for various services, including developmental therapy.”

Tennessee became the first state in the country to expand the early intervention services it offers to children in 2022 from age three to age five. This means that eligible families will be able to receive early intervention care for two additional years to help children meet developmental milestones. The unique aspect of Middle Tennessee State University’s Home and Community-Based Early Intervention Program is that the early intervention takes place in places that are familiar to the child, like their home, favorite parks, or their childcare facility, in order to meet them in a comfortable, natural environment to better facilitate their learning. Currently, the program serves 500 families in Rutherford County and is projected to serve 600 families over the next five years of the grant cycle.

Middle Tennessee State University students take part in the program by giving students who are studying early childhood education or early intervention opportunities for internships and training. One such student, Sarah Dee, was an intern in early 2023 and now works as a full time interventionist with the program. Of her experience working with the program, Dee said, “I have always had a passion for working with children growing up and discovered a deep interest in child development while attending MTSU. To know that I may have a small impact on the development of a child is something I do not take for granted. This job is gratifying, and I wake up every day thankful that I get to be a part of a child’s journey in life.”

Sharon Scott is the director of the Home and Community-Based Early Intervention Program at Middle Tennessee State University. She said, “One of the great things about the College of Education is we are training educators who want to go into the classroom and homes,” said Scott. “I want us (HCBEI) to be a powerhouse that continues to empower families within our community with the tools they need to help their children meet their milestones.” 

Casha added, “We have presented information on our program to students in education, child and family studies, and social work, to name a few. This is a growing field, and we want to get more students’ information about this program and the potential for a career in this field.”

The Home & Community-Based Early Intervention (HCBEI) Program, according to its webpage, provides services to families in need in the counties of Maury, Rutherford, and Williamson, free of charge for families who qualify for support from the Tennessee Early Intervention System.

For more information about Middle Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.