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TN STEP presents to committee on parent training, special‑education support under IDEA
Summary
TN STEP, Tennessee’s federally designated Parent Training and Information Center under IDEA, told the House Education Committee it serves families statewide (reporting contacts with more than 195,000 families and outreach in 93 of 95 counties) and emphasized one‑on‑one assistance and partnerships to help parents navigate special education.
TN STEP leaders told the House Education Committee the statewide nonprofit is Tennessee's federally designated Parent Training and Information Center under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and delivers training, technical assistance and individualized support to families of children with disabilities.
Karen Harrison, TN STEP executive director, described her personal experience using the service and said the program supports families over many years as they navigate early intervention and K–12 special‑education services. Bernadette Gray and Stephanie Willis said TN STEP has reached families in 93 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, reported more than 195,000 families accessing special education and early intervention services statewide, and highlighted a growing need for one‑on‑one supports.
Why it matters: committee members and presenters told lawmakers that parents often enter planning meetings without the background to advocate effectively and that trained parent‑advocates can improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities. Carol Westlake (Tennessee Disability Coalition) and others said TN STEP fills a unique role as a consistent statewide resource.
Funding concern: Representative Johnson and others asked whether cuts to Medicaid/TennCare and adult services could cascade into K–12 supports; TN STEP and partners said school systems often rely on Medicaid reimbursement for services and that reductions in healthcare funding could affect educational services.
Quote: "At TNSTEP, we support families by helping parents understand their rights and responsibilities under the IDEA," Stephanie Willis said. "Parents with disabilities rarely come to the knowledge of their child's disability ... before they're asked to be part of a team."
