IACROA WORKSHOP October 27 – 29, 2004 Illinois State Approving Agency Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

IACROA WORKSHOP

October 27 – 29, 2004

Illinois State Approving Agency

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

United States Dept of Veterans Affairsand the


Federal Veterans’ Educational Benefits

The Role and Responsibilities of the

State Approving Agency



Presented by

Ms. Joan RyanAdministrator

Illinois State Approving AgencyIllinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs



Education Partners

• Certifying Officials

• United States Department of Veterans Affairs

• State Approving Agency



SAA Responsibilities

• Approve education and training programs

• Inspect and supervise

• Monitor program compliance

• Collect information



SAA Core Functions

• Program Approval– Initial approval– Revised approval

• Visits to Facilities– Supervisory Visits– Inspection Visits– Other Visits



SAA Core Functions (cont’d.)• Technical Assistance

– Questions– Complaints

• Outreach Activities– Workshops– Tap Briefings

• Liaison Visits– DVA Central Office or Regional Office– Certifying Officials Workshops



SAA Programs Approved

• College and Non-College Degree

• Vocational Flight Training

• Correspondence

• Apprenticeship

• On-the-Job Training

• Licensure and Certification Tests

• Entrepreneurship Courses



Approval Criteria: Accredited IHL/NCD

• Period of Operation• Educational, Professional or Vocational Objective• Advertising, Sales and Enrollment Practices• Progress Standards• Credit for Previous Training• Attendance Policy• Conduct Policy• Programs Precluded



Approval Criteria: Accredited IHL/NCD (cont’d.)

• Enrollment Limitations

• Programs at Branch or Extension Locations

• Cooperative Training

• Independent Study

• Practical Training



Courses Requiring Specific Approval• Remedial/Deficiency

• Refresher

• Independent Study

• Internships/Practical Training

• Cooperative Training



Distance Education• Includes Internet and TV Courses

• SAA Approves as Independent Study

• SAA Needs to Know Specifically Different Types of Course Offered via Distance Ed

• Distance Education Approval Application

• Complete Programs Only



Precluded Programs• Bartending and Personality Development

• Avocational and Recreational

• Programs Delivered via Radio



Continued Approval• Schools must submit catalogs, school

calendars and other publications containing descriptions of programs and courses or both as soon as they are published

• Annual Supervisory Visits

• Other visits as required



Other Programs of Interest• Licensing and Certification Tests

• Troops to Teachers

• Entrepreneurship Courses



Licensing and Certification Tests• Payable under Chapters 30, 32 and 35• Licensing – test offered by state, local or federal

agency required by law for occupation• Certification – test to provide affirmation of

qualifications in occupation; not required• Maximum payment - $2000 per test; no limit to

number of tests, not to exceed entitlement• www.gibill.va.gov - for info on approved tests and

procedures for reimbursement



http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Troops to Teachers• Illinois one of 26 states with a “Troops to

Teachers” program• Over 150 participants placed in Illinois• Primary function of the program is referral

and placement service• Offer advice, guidance and direction for

obtaining necessary certification or special assignment certification to teach in Illinois



Troops to Teachers• Point of Contact Information

– Dr. Gregory Davenport, Principal Consultant

c/o Illinois State Board of Education

Chicago, Illinois

Toll Free: 1-800-845-8749

• http://www.isbe.net/teachers/TTT/ttt.htm



Entrepreneurship Courses• PL Law 108-183 passed Dec. 16, 2003

• Courses taught by either Small Business Development Centers or The Veteran Corporation

• Available to CH 30, 32, 1606 Students



Transfer of Entitlement• Allows for the transfer of entitlement to one or

more servicemember’s dependents• Veteran must meet following stipulations

– (1) completed six years of service, – (2) either have a critical skill or military specialty

designated by the Secretary of Defense for transferability, and

– (3) enter into an agreement to serve at least 4 more years



References and Contact Information• World-Wide Web

– www.vba.va.gov

– www.state.il.us./agency/dva/fedben.htm

• Email– [email protected]

– [email protected]• Both veterans and certifying officials can use the above;

however, certifying officials can receive a response within 24 hours by placing “Certifying Official Problem” in the subject area of the email message.



http://www.vba.va.gov/

http://www.state.il.us./agency/dva/fedben.htm

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

References and Contact Information (cont’d.)• Telephone

– Veterans and Certifying Officials can call

1-888-442-4551

– Illinois State Approving Agency

Administrator, Joan Ryan

(217) 782-7838

– USDVA – Illinois Educational Liaison Representative Avis McFarlind

(314) 552-9876 (Certifying Officials Only)



Questions



IACROA WORKSHOP October 27 – 29, 2004 Illinois State Approving Agency Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Documents

training programs

saa programs

approval criteria

precluded programs

recreational programs

descriptions of programs

saa responsibilities

tv courses saa