Group Care Facilities - Public and Private Schools

The objective and overall goal of the group care facilities program is focused on ensuring that good sanitary health and safety practices exist in the operation and maintenance of various group care facilities.  The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County ensures compliance pertaining to sanitation, control of communicable diseases, the protection and safety of the public’s health and the prevention of accidents and injuries.  Compliance is achieved through various means by conducting inspections, providing public education, performing epidemiological investigations and complaint investigations in the group care programmatic area. 

Schools

The Department of Education (DOE) operates the public school system and oversees charter schools in Florida through local county school boards. Every school facility is required to get a satisfactory group care environmental health inspection from the local county health department prior to opening or operating in Florida.  Section 381.006 (16) (10K PDF), of the Florida Statutes (FS), provide authority for Department of Health inspections. Private or non-public schools are also required to register with the DOE, (Non-public School Registration). 

Private Schools, Non-public K-12 Schools, and Charter Schools not located on local school board property: 

Chapter 6A-2.0040 (pdf 137 KB) of the Florida Administrative Code (FAC).  Any variance or waiver requests from this rule must be processed through the DOE Agency Clerk. DOE Contact  

Public Schools, Vocational Schools, and Charter Schools located in or on local school board property: 

Chapter 6A-2.0010 (pdf 145 KB) FAC, which refers to the Florida Building Code.  Any variance or waiver requests from this rule must be processed through the DOE Agency Clerk. DOE Contact

Group Homes

Group Homes are inspected once a year under Chapter 64E-12. 

• Group Homes Food Application; Group Care Requirements

Contact Information  

Kiana Ramos      352-540-6800 x 82144

Daniel Santerre  352-540-6900 x 82158

Regulatory Code 

• Chapter 64E-12, Florida Administrative Code - Residential Facilities (PDF - 54KB)
• Florida Administrative Code 6A-2-Sanitation Standards in K-12 Private Schools

Links