Amy Jenkins
Amy Jenkins, director of Home & Community-Based Early Intervention at Siskin Children’s Institute, has been named board chair for the Tennessee State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC). The Council, which is tasked with supporting the implementation of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in the state, is made up of regional leaders in early intervention and appointed by Governor Haslam.
Ms. Jenkins has a master’s degree in Education and began working with children and their families in 1992. As the Director of the Home & Community-Based Early Intervention Program, she supervises 14 home visitors who serve more than 310 families weekly, in the 10 counties of the Southeast District of Tennessee. She is a certified Routines-Based Interview trainer, certified Routines-Based Home Visiting Trainer, has coordinated and presented during the Routines-Based Interview Certification Institute from 2012 through 2015, as well as leads the Siskin Home Visiting Training Institute. She has presented at numerous conferences on Routines-Based Early Intervention and other early childhood and early intervention topics, and works with states across the country to provide individualized training on research-based practices in early intervention. She is currently a member of the National Association of Education in Young Children and the Division of Early Childhood as well as the chair of the Youth and Family Development board of directors.
“It has been an honor to be a part of our State Interagency Coordinating Council for the last several years, as we have made huge strides in how we, as a state system, provide better services to families of children with special needs in Tennessee,” said Ms. Jenkins. “As I take on the role of board chair, I hope to continue the path we have set for ourselves in ensuring all those we serve receive the best possible care and support for their child and their family. We will continue to apply evidence-based practices to our model of service delivery and we anticipate improved results for all children in the Part C/TEIS system.”
“We are extremely proud of Amy’s appointment as SICC’s board chair. Her phenomenal commitment to children with special needs and their families as well as her expertise in the field make Amy an ideal fit for this important role. Additionally, Amy’s dedication to expanding best practices helps the Institute fulfill its strategic goal of impacting the field of early childhood development to create positive change,” said Siskin Children’s Institute CEO, John Farrimond.
To learn more about the TN State Interagency Coordinating Council, visit tennessee.gov/education/article/teis-in-your-community.