Rule Revision
In June of 2023, the Department has restarted the rule revision process again for Chapter 64E-12, of the Florida Administrative Code. A Notice of Development of Rulemaking was advertised in the Florida Administrative Register. A draft copy of the proposed changes can be found here: Chapter 64E-12, Florida Administrative Code Proposed Draft. All written comments must be received by August 31, 2023. Please email comments to facilityprogramtasks@FLHealth.gov
I’m interested in owning and operating a group home and was wondering about licensing and other requirements. Where would I find this information?
The Department of Health (DOH) is not the licensing agency for group homes. A group home is a generic term used for a variety of care homes. These can be for children 19 years or less and licensed under the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) if they serve disabled clients. Depending upon the needs of your child, you can contact the appropriate licensing agency listed below to get a listing of facilities in your area that serve your needs.
If the home serves disabled clients, contact the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Their licensing office can be contact by phone at 850-488-4257.
If the facility serves children, who are not disabled and are 19 years of age or less, contact the Department of Children & Families (DCF). Their licensing office can be contact by phone at 866-762-2237.
If the facility serves elderly clients, contact Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Their licensing office can be contact by phone at 888-419-3456 or 850-412-4304. To locate facilities regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration, you can check out that Agency’s website for facility locations.
However, DOH does conduct both Food Hygiene and Group care/physical plant related inspections in group homes and other residential facilities. Once you begin the licensing process with the licensing agency, you should contact the local health department for the county in which you intend to locate your group home prior to construction, remodel and/or before opening for food hygiene, group care, drinking water supplies from a well, pool, and septic requirements/inspections/plan reviews.
Where can I possibly locate a list of homes that are designated as residential homes for developmentally disabled individuals? Is there anyway to know if there is a home in this neighborhood that is licensed through DCF?
A listing of Group Homes that serve persons with disabilities is available using the following link: Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Do you know what service you want? Select the service (in the Provider Search Criteria box) and the website will show providers of that service.
Group homes that serve children will be regulated by the Department of Children and Families.
Certain group homes for the elderly may be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Their licensing office can be contact by phone at 888-419-3456 or 850-412-4304.
Does any governmental agency buy homes for use as a group home?
You may want to see if you qualify for Community Development Block Grant type funding, which is managed through your local community development office or neighborhood services office. Please contact local county or city government offices for additional information.
What’s the difference between an Adult Family Home, a Group Home, or Group Care Home?
An adult family care home is licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), is limited to five residents who are disabled and the operator does live in the home as a family unit. These do not provide staffed care.
A group home is a generic term the Department of Health uses for a variety of care homes. These can be for children, 19 years or less and licensed under the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or APD if they serve disabled clients. Depending on the arrangement, some live as family units like a foster family and others can be staffed or even staffed with “house parents” (a real married couple) who play a parenting role and are paid for their role, in addition to having additional staff support.
Group homes that serve persons with disabilities are regulated by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Group homes that serve children will be regulated by the Department of Children and Families.
Certain group homes for the elderly may be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Their licensing office can be contact by phone at 888-419-3456 or 850-412-4304.