For the General Public
General Public FAQs
Where can I locate mental health services in my county?
Managing Entities (MEs) contract with providers on behalf of the Florida Department of Children & Families. The MEs do not provide direct services; rather, MEs contract with local, direct service providers, tailoring to the specific behavioral health needs in communities throughout the state. If you need to learn about services, contacting the ME is a place to start. Find the ME that serves your county here.
Consumers may learn more about what managing entities are on the Florida Association of Managing Entities' website.
How do I get more information about the status of a family member currently held under the Baker Act?
You may contact the receiving facility where you think the person is located. If the person is an adult, the receiving facility may likely not be able to release information to you unless the person has signed a release. A list of Designated Baker Act Receiving Facilities may be found on DCF’s website here.
Where can I find more information about my rights under the BA?
The Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities [F.S. 381.026] describes an individuals rights while receiving medical care regarding individual dignity, medical and financial information and disclosure, access to health care, experimental research in addition to a patient's knowledge and summary of these rights. The statue also describes the responsibility of individuals as patients to health care facilities and providers.
Additional information regarding rights may also be found on Disability Rights Florida website.
What can I do if I feel my rights have been violated by a facility or agency ?
Individuals who feel their or a family member’s rights have been violated can find information on the Florida Department of Health’s website here.
A link to the Florida Department of Health’s Complaint Portal can be found here.