1. Bureau of State Approving for Veterans’ Training Division of Veterans’ Benefits and Assistance Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs 2540 Executive Ct.r Circle W. Douglas Bldg Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (850) 487-2836 Telephone (850) 488-5698 FAX E-Mail- TurbeeS@fdva.state.fl.us Florida State Approving Agency

2. n n Bureau Chief – Steve Turbee n n AREA 1 - Talman Sisk n n AREA 2 - Debra Davis n n AREA 3 – John Wilson n AREA 4 – Susan Flake n AREA 5 – Bibi Ramos n n Administrative Staff FCora Stagner and Terri Copley SAA Areas of Responsibility 1 2 3 5 4

3. SAA Functions n Evaluate and approve schools and programs of education. n Review and approve catalogs and other school policy documents to insure continued compliance with state and federal regulations. n Visit schools to insure compliance and provide on-site assistance to Certifying Officials. n Provide technical assistance to schools as needed. n Conduct inquiries and investigations as requested by VA or Congressional members.

4. Required Submittals for Continued Approval n Two (2) Catalogs each time a new edition is published. n Any off-term dates not approved with catalogs. n Any substantive changes in program curricula or school policy. n New Administrators and Faculty for Non-accredited schools. n Anything you are not sure about.

5. SAA Visits to School n Visits are conducted only at schools with veterans enrolled during the federal fiscal year (Oct. - Sept.). n Ten to 15 schools will be visited in a single week to reduce costs. n Visits are normally conducted within a specific geographic area by the program specialist for that area. n A random sample of veteran files will be reviewed to establish if there is any pattern of error. n Other school records or documents may also be examined. 1 1 General

6. n Enrollment Certification. Fapproved calendar dates Fcorrect program Fcredit for prior training n Standards of Academic Progress. n Attendance for NCD. n Tuition Charges. n Advertising. n State License and Accreditation. SAA Visits to School 2 2 Items Inspected

7. n Now with laptop computers-reports can be completed on site as opposed to returning to the home office n Reports will: Fidentify student records reviewed Fdetail any discrepancies found Fspecify corrective actions required by school n Copies of reports will be left with the school and mailed to the VA. n All discrepancies must be corrected within 30 days. 3 3 SAA Visits to School Inspection Reports

8. Technical Assistance n Approval Criteria n Policy Conflicts n Resolving Veteran Problems n Advocate for Cert Official n Correcting Discrepancies n Enrollment Certification n Training SAA Provides with

9. Florida SAA Website n Florida SAA Website –www.floridavets.org –Easy to use, 400 Schools listed –Schools listed alphabetically by county –Programs listed by school –Address, telephone number of the VA Rep –List updated semi-annually –Encourage Veterans to use it

10. !!! TEAMWORK !!! VA Educational Liaison School Certifying Official State Approving Agency 1