Our Mission
To serve as a safety net to enhance the quality of life for Leon County residents by providing resources, access to social services, and short term financial assistance.
Program Description
Social Services funds health and human service programs for which County participation is mandated by the State of Florida and awards grants to local service providers who demonstrate successful prevention and intervention strategies that serve to reduce these costly mandates. The services are delivered in such a way that they preserve and encourage the individual's dignity and sense of self-worth as well as the dignity and self-worth of those who provide the services.
Statutory Requirements
The following social service functions of the Division of Human Services are requirements of State law.
- Child Protection Exams – Chapter 39.304(5) F.S.
- Disposition of Unclaimed Bodies – Chapter 245.06 F.S.
- Health Care Responsibility Act – Chapter 154 F.S.
- Indigent Cremation and Burial Program – Chapter 406.50 F.S. and Leon County Policy 98-25
- Medicaid Match Program – Chapter 409 F.S.
- Mental Health Program – Chapters 394 and 396 F.S.
- Tubercular Care – Chapter 392.51 F.S.
Functional Responsibilities
The Leon County Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships provide the following social services programs, either directly or indirectly:
- Child Protection Exams – The County pays for examination costs for children who are alleged to have been abused, abandoned, or neglected.
- Direct Emergency Assistance Program (DEAP) – DEAP provides emergency assistance with basic necessities such as rent, utilities/fuel, food, and medication in an effort to prevent homelessness, malnutrition, and disease for citizens meeting eligibility criteria.
- Health Care Responsibility Act – This program funds out-of-county emergency hospital care for indigent Leon County patients.
- Human Service Grants – Based upon the recommendations of a citizen advisory committee, the County awards grants to local human service providers through Community Human Service Partnership (CHSP).
- Indigent Cremation and Burial Program – This program provides for the cremation or burial of qualified indigent and unclaimed deceased persons at the County expense and in the County's pauper cemetery.
- Medicaid Match Program – As mandated by State law, the County pays 35% of the cost of hospitalization for Leon County Medicaid patients with hospital stays extending from the 13th through the 45th day. Fifty-five dollars per month is also paid for each County nursing home resident.
- Mental Health Program – As required by State law, Leon County provides matching funds for acute care programs such as Baker Act, community mental health programs, alcohol abuse/chemical dependency treatment, and transporting clients to the State hospital. The County pays 25% of the program costs exclusive of third party payments, fees, and other local contributions for its indigent residents. The State of Florida funds the remaining 75%.
- Tubercular Care – The purpose of this program is to coordinate the admission and transportation of indigent tuberculosis patients to a state tuberculosis hospital.
For more information, contact the Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships at (850) 606-1900.