Section 2: Training

Item 200 -- Division of Blind Services Rehabilitation Center

The Division of Blind Services operates a fifty-three bed residential Rehabilitation Center, located at 1111 Willis Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida.

An individual lives at the Center for the duration of the BEP training offered there. Normally, two persons share a room, allowing for sharing of ideas and studying together.

When an individual goes to the Center for training, he/she will need to take a series of modules covering the required course work.  Test must be past after each module.  Individuals that pass the pretest can skip that module.

For details of Business Enterprise Program training, see Item 210.

Item 210 -- Training Overview

Each potential Licensed Vendor for the program will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Reading, Mathematics, and Communications
  • Orientation and Mobility
  • Daily Living Skills
  • Customer Service Skills

Remediation will be provided in any area where deficits are identified which might negatively impact a person’s success in the BEP.

BBE Training will include:

  • Computer and Food Safety and Sanitation (two weeks): Basic computer. After completing this section, the student will be able pass the Florida food safety test and to know how to train their staff.
  • BBE Forms Reporting and Recording/ Product and Inventory Management (two weeks): The student will be able to complete set-aside form, bid application, inventory forms, complete an inventory, reimbursement form, set up an inventory control system, track sales for each individual machine (financial control system), and track repair on each machine. 
  • Small Business Record Keeping and Applicable Laws, Regulations and Policies (two weeks): The student will be able to set up a corporation, sales tax, payroll tax, know various kinds of insurance, workers compensation, accounting, and employee relations such as interviewing, hiring and firing, and developing an employee procedures manual.
  • Vending Machine: Operation and Repair (two weeks) Students will be able to clean trouble shoot and repair machines.  Specific goals relate to cleaning and operating basic coin mechanism, dollar valuator maintenance and repair, compressor, condenser cleaning and how often to do provide maintenance, maintain coils or spirals, able to changing prices, and basic fundamentals of a machine such as replacing light bulbs.  Types of machines that will be used include snack machine, coffee and cold food machines, drink machines, and dollar changers 
  • Food Service/Cafeteria Equipment: Operation and Repair (two weeks): Students will be able to operate, clean, and repair equipment such as toasters, icemakers, freezers, refrigerator, grills, compressors, hood systems, understand basic cleaning, how to use and maintain a cash register and bill identifier, and dispose grease and maintain grease traps.
  • Marketing Skills and Techniques/Customer Relations (two weeks): Students will learn how to greet a customer, develop menus, evaluate merchandizing, ensure appropriate dress and hygiene for self and employees, and have basic knowledge in customer relations, refunds, complaints, business communications, working with suppliers, and how to do promotions.

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Item 220 -- Referrals to the Business Enterprise Program

When the client and VR Specialist believe that the selection of a vocational objective as a Licensed Vending Facility Operator is appropriate, a request for an interview with one of the regionally based Business Enterprise Consultants serving the client's location.  An individual licensed from another state or a licensed vendor from Florida who has not actively held a contract for five years or since 1997 must go through this same process.

A memorandum confirming the interview’s date, time and location is to be sent to the Regional Business Enterprise Consultant with an informational copy to the Business Enterprise's Compliance Director.  A report of the interview is to be submitted to the referring VR Specialist by the BBE Consultant within 30 days of the request for the interview and an informational copy sent to the Business Enterprises’ Compliance Director.

All prospective trainees are required to participate in up to six weeks of work experience at a local BEP facility prior to being referred to the Rehabilitation Center for evaluation and formal training.  The purpose of this experience is to give a realistic view of the expectations and responsibilities associated with facility management. 

To access vending facility training for a client, the VR Specialist should consult with Rehabilitation Center staff about the appropriate referral process and requirements. 

As outlined in the Overview, all prospects are first evaluated in basic skills to identify needs for remediation.  Once any deficits are eliminated, the prospect enters the BBE Training at the Rehabilitation Center.

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Item 230 -- Vending Facility Training Evaluation

A five-day Business Enterprise Program Evaluation is required before a person can enter vending facility training available at the Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The five-day Evaluation is available only at the Rehabilitation Center, and other evaluations may not be substituted.   All candidates must participate in this evaluation regardless of their background.

When making referrals for the BEP Evaluation, the Rehab Specialist should submit proof of work experience, and any prior educational or testing records which indicates the potential Licensed Vendor’s skills in reading, mathematics, and communications. It is recommended that the referral be made prior to the development of an Individualized Plan for Employment since service areas may be identified during the evaluation mentioned above.

Basic Evaluation: Rehabilitation Center staff will evaluate daily living skills such as money, time, and personal management.  The appropriate Center instructor will evaluate medication management, physical stamina, and skills in customer relations through observations.

Orientation and Mobility: The student must demonstrate independence in travel through a practical assessment. The individual's skills will be reviewed by having the person travel from the Rehabilitation Center, independently, to a local business utilizing public transportation. This includes being able to use a special transportation system. The primary standards of acceptance will be safety of the person while traveling, and the ability to complete the route with minimal assistance from the general public. No assistance from Center staff or the use of a taxicab service will be allowed in meeting this objective.

Special Needs: If the student is unable to meet the requirements of this evaluation, assistance in obtaining remedial training will be offered to upgrade skills. If the student should have physical limitations which hinder the completion of this evaluation, and it is determined that he/she can handle the physical requirements associated with managing a BEP facility, the VR Specialist needs to include a justification for waiving the Orientation and Mobility requirements above.

Computer Literacy: Rehabilitation Center staff will assess each prospect’s level of computer literacy, including skills in using access technology.

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Item 240 -- Evaluations Outcomes

After completion of the five-day evaluation, Rehabilitation Center staff will provided each participant with the results and outcomes of the various assessments.  The need for remedial training or supplemental services will be discussed and appropriate case management initiated.  In some instances it might be recommended that the participant finish his or her remedial training prior to the next phase of BEP training. 

However, any deficiency from the evaluation will need to be addressed prior to acceptance into the BBE Training Program. 

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Item 250 -- Vending Facility Training

Training is required for all potential Licensed Vendors wishing to enter the Business Enterprise Program. The only approved training is at the Division of Blind Services Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.  The BBE training consist of the following:

  • The BBE training Computer and Food Safety and Sanitation (two weeks)BBE Forms Reporting and Recording/ Product and Inventory Management ( two weeks)
  • Small Business Record Keeping and Applicable Laws, Regulations and Policies (two weeks).
  • Vending Machine: Operation and Repair (two weeks) 
  • Food Service/Cafeteria Equipment: Operation and Repair (two weeks)Marketing Skills and Techniques/Customer Relations (two weeks)

Students will have an opportunity to CLEP the module.  After a trainee completes a module, he or she will need to have a passing grade of 70.  If the trainees do not receive a 70 after three attempts, they will need to request permission from the Compliance Director to take an exam a fourth time.

The Food Service and Sanitation Course has two tests, which are the National Restaurant Association and the Applied Food Service Sanitation Course of the Florida Department of Public Health.  If a client fails this portion of the test, it will be necessary for the client and the Rehabilitation Specialist to arrange for additional study at a community college, or at locations where these courses are being taught by staff from the Florida Department of Public Health. 

Currently, the Conference for Food Protection and the Division of Hotels and Restaurants recognizes the following organizations as accredited examination providers:

1) Dietary Managers’ Association providing the Certified Food Protection Professional Examination. You may contact them at www.dmaonline.org or toll-free at 800-323-1908.

2) Experior Assessments offering the Food Manager Examination. You may contact them at www.experioronline.com or toll-free at 800-200-6241.

3) Florida Restaurant Association offering the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation’s ServeSafe examination. You may contact them at www.flra.com or toll-free at 866-372-3926.

4) The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals providing the Food Safety Manager Certification Examination. You may contact them at www.nrfsp.com or toll-free at 800-446-0257.

Following completion of the training at the Rehabilitation Center, with a passing grade of at least 70 percent in each module, clients are to receive a minimum of 800 hours (five months) of on-the-job training from approved OJT trainers. The five months is to be divided into three months in a Cafeteria and Snack Bar, and two month in a Vending Machine Facility.

It is recommended that the trainee's VR Specialist and BBE Staff select on-the-job training sites prior to the client entering the training at the Rehabilitation Center, and make the necessary arrangements for the on-the-job training program to start immediately after the completion of the sixteen-week classroom training program. If the client fails the BBE training program, the trainee will be informed by the Rehabilitation Center's BBE liaison, and the on-the-job training will be canceled.

All training materials and equipment needed to function in the training program are provided by the Rehabilitation Center in accessible.

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Item 251 -- Vending Facility On-The-Job Training

On-the-job training is an extension of the trainee’s classroom experience, which will enable them to apply, learned skills in the real food service setting.

Each trainee will complete five months of on-the-job training: three months in a cafeteria and snack bar and two month in a vending machine facility.  Candidates will need to attend where there is an available Training site.  A list of potential locations will be provided to the candidates, but the actual assignment of a training site rests with the BBE Compliance Director.

Licensed Vendors who serve as OJT trainers must be certified through a Train the Trainer’s curriculum designed by BBE staff and the State Committee of Blind Vendors.

A certified trainer has the following responsibilities:

1.  To ensure that all areas covered on the On-the-Job Evaluations are presented in an appropriate sequence and that the trainee is given the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency independently.

2.  To coordinate the trainee’s full 800-hours of on-the-job training.

3.  To properly complete and submit all On-the-Job Training Evaluations during the last day of OJT. It must be noted that OJT reports are a part of the Vocational Rehabilitation file and as such are governed by the Vocational Rehabilitation confidentiality requirements.

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Item 252 -- Business Enterprises Training

The Business Enterprise Program's requires a trainee to pass content presented in all modules.

The objective of the training is to adequately prepare a person to meet the challenges typically encountered in operating a BEP facility. 

  • The BBE training Computer and Food Safety and Sanitation (two weeks)
  • BBE Forms Reporting and Recording/ Product and Inventory Management ( two weeks)
  • Small Business Record Keeping and Applicable Laws, Regulations and Policies (two weeks).
  • Vending Machine: Operation and Repair (two weeks) 
  • Food Service/Cafeteria Equipment: Operation and Repair (two weeks)
  • Marketing Skills and Techniques/Customer Relations (two weeks)

When a trainee has successfully completed the training requirements, the Rehabilitation Center Specialist liaison will notify the BBE Compliance Director that the individual has completed all sections of the training with passing scores. The Compliance will notify the VR Specialist and the Regional BE Consultant that the individual is ready for their On-the-job training.

Following the completion of the training, the VR Specialist and Regional Business Enterprises Consultant will initiate arrangements for the trainee’s five month on-the-job training.

Upon successful completion of the OJT training phase, the Rehab Specialist along with the Regional Business Enterprises Consultant will forward a Licensure Recommendation Packet to the Business Enterprises Compliance Director.  (See Item 260 for Licensure Recommendation Packet.) 

If the packet contains all of the needed documentation, the Compliance Director will schedule a licensure examination for the trainee.

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Item 260 -- Licensure Recommendation Packet

The Licensure Recommendation packet shall contain the following:

1.  Proof of Legal Blindness; 

2.  Proof of Age;

3.  Proof of a High School diploma or equivalency;

4.  Proof of U.S. Citizenship (Birth Certificate, Naturalization Certificate or Passport);

5.  Rehabilitation Center evaluations and training reports;

6.  On-The-Job Training reports;

7.  A Certificate of Completion from the National Restaurant Association sanitation course; and

8.  A Certification of passing the Florida Department of Public Health’s sanitation test.

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Item 270 -- In-service Training

When a Licensed Vendor and his/her Regional BE Consultant have identified specific training needs, which would improve management of a vending facility, the Regional BE Consultant can arrange for this training. Training can be provided at one or a combination of the following:

1.  Classroom training at the Division of Blind Services, Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach.

2.  On-the-job training, either at his/her facility or at another BEP training facility.

3.  Regional group training classes.

4.  Classroom training provided by a third party, i.e. Community College, Department of Public Health or other pre-approved sources.

The Division of Blind Services will reimburse for training only under the following conditions:

1.  When funds are available.
2.  Training will improve management skills related to current operation or lead to upward mobility within the BEP.
3.  Training is requested in writing and pre-approved by Business Enterprises’ Bureau Chief.
4.  The training is completed successfully.

As with all training needs, it will be the responsibility of the Licensed Vendor to request training.

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Item 280 -- Licensing Of Vendors

To be licensed an individual must be certified by the Division of Blind Services as qualified to manage a vending facility. In order to be eligible for a license to operate a vending facility, an applicant must be:

1.  Legally blind as defined in 34 CFR 395.1, Terms, and Section 413.033(1), Florida Statutes;

2.  A citizen of the United States;

3.  Eighteen (18) years of age or older;

4.  Possess a high school diploma or equivalency; and

5.  Qualified to operate a facility. To be considered qualified, each referral shall pass (75 percent correct) a standardized licensure test.

The License shall be perpetual, but subject to suspension and revocation as specified in other sections of this Handbook.

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Item 290 -- Client Services Commitment to Program

Client Services will pay for the following expenses when new managers receive their initial facility:

  • incorporation fees;
  • sales tax application;
  • liability insurance- (3 months);
  • worker’s comp insurance- (3 months);
  • food handlers test;
  • business license  (Dept of Business and Professional Regulation);
  • first time relocation costs;
  • consultation/setup fees for the accounting needs; and
  • if needed adaptive technology such as talking cash register and bill identifier.

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Florida Business Enterprises Program
Providing Tools and Support for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Food Service Business