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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Group Care Facilities

Florida Department of Health in Columbia County Environmental Health

  •  386-758-1058
  •  

    Physical Address

    135 NE Hernando Ave 

    Lake City, FL 32055


Program Description 

The Group Care Facilities program is comprised of permitting and inspection for a number of facility types, including assisted living facilities, and schools. Please see below for specific information on these inspections.

Day Care Facilities 

Day care facilities which provide care for five or more children unrelated to the facility operator are inspected twice a year. These inspections look at the general sanitation of the facility, food hygiene practices (if applicable), sewage disposal, water supply, garbage disposal, and general safety issues. If a swimming pool is located on the premises, this is also inspected.

Family Day Care centers provide care for four or less unrelated children plus up to five additional after-school children. These facilities are not inspected by the Columbia County Health Department.

Day care facilities are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, with the exception of some church-affiliated day care centers. To contact the local office of the Department of Children and Families, call (386) 758-1510.

Schools 

Private and public school facilities are inspected for general sanitation and safety issues twice each school year.

Group Residential Facilities 

There are a number of residential care facilities which provide housing, food, and other personalized healthcare services to unrelated individuals on a 24 hour a day basis. These facilities receive a general sanitation and safety inspection once a year. If these facilities have food service for 25 or more residents, the kitchen receives a food safety inspection four times a year.

Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) 

These types of facilities receive a general sanitation and safety inspection once a year. If these facilities have food service for 25 or more residents, the kitchen receives a food safety inspection four times a year.

You may contact the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County - (386) 758-1058 with any questions.