Bureau of State Approving for

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Florida State Approving Agency

• 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
• [phone] Telephone
• [phone] FAX
• E-Mail- TurbeeS_at_fdva.state.fl.us

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

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SAA Functions

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

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Required Submittals for Continued Approval

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

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SAA Visits to School
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General

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

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SAA Visits to School
Items Inspected

• Enrollment Certification.
• approved calendar dates
• correct program
• credit for prior training
• Standards of Academic Progress.
• Attendance for NCD.
• Tuition Charges.
• Advertising.
• State License and Accreditation.

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SAA Visits to School
Inspection Reports

• Now with laptop computers-reports can be
  completed on site as opposed to returning to the
  home office
• Reports will
• identify student records reviewed
• detail any discrepancies found
• specify corrective actions required by school
• Copies of reports will be left with the school
  and mailed to the VA.
• All discrepancies must be corrected within 30
  days.

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Technical Assistance
SAA Provides
with

• Approval Criteria
• Policy Conflicts
• Resolving Veteran Problems
• Advocate for Cert Official
• Correcting Discrepancies
• Enrollment Certification
• Training

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Florida SAA Website

• 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

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!!! TEAMWORK !!!
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State Approving Agency
VA Educational Liaison
School Certifying Official