How To Open A Rehab in Florida

Florida ranks second in the nation for overdose deaths, behind only California. Last year, 7,579 people died from a drug overdose, an increase of 37% from 2019. Floridians are no stranger to addiction with seemingly a new rehab on every corner. Unfortunately, the demand is still very high for quality treatment.

Palm trees, clear water and soft sand beckon a slower pace for self-reflection and healing. Florida is an ideal place to open addiction treatment facility. Before you begin study your market. Orion Treatment Consulting is happy to help you with a feasibility study.

Once you’ve decided to target market and location, focus on you mission and the outline for your curriculum. The most important step to opening a treatment center in Florida is licensure.

How to Open a Treatment Center in Florida

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office is responsible for oversight of the licensure and regulation of all substance abuse providers in the state. Licensure functions are implemented by staff of SAMH Program Offices at the local levels throughout the state.

The provision of substance abuse services is governed by Chapters 394 and 397 of the Florida Statutes, which provide direction for a continuum of community-based services including prevention, treatment, and detoxification services.

While the SAMH provides a helpful checklist and even bulk discounts for fees based on multiple applications, the process includes several steps.

The SAMH application requires a comprehensive list of requested information:

• Agency information

  • Provide information that establishes the name and address of the applicant.

• Fire and safety compliance

  • Provide documents showing proof of compliance with local fire and safety codes, for each location.

• Health and food inspections

  • Health inspections apply to residential and intensive inpatient. For Day or Night with Community Housing, a health inspection is required unless the local Health Department issues a letter stating otherwise.

• Business tax receipt

  • Provide the Business Tax Receipt if required in your county or municipality for each address, excluding community housing.

• Local zoning compliance

  • Provide documents showing proof of compliance with local zoning codes for each address, excluding community housing.

• Client fee schedule

  • Include client/individual fee schedule and policy regarding a client’s / participants financial responsibility outlining what the client/participant is obligated to pay.

• Comprehensive outline of services in 1000 words

  • Include a comprehensive but concise outline of the services to be provided. Each application should contain the program description for the component only

• CEO Information

  • Provide documentation of the competency and ability of the applicant and its CEO to carry out the requirements of Chapter 65D-30, F.A.C.

• Proof of Financial viability

  • Provide proof of financial ability and organizational capability to operate in accordance with Chapter 65D-30, F.A.C.

• Policy and procedure manual

  • Provide a copy of the applicant’s indexed Policies and Procedures which show compliance with Common Licensing Standards, and programmatic operating procedures. Know what’s required in your Policies and Procedures.

• Current insurance coverage

  • Provide documentation demonstrating professional and property liability insurance coverage. Add expiration date on each application. Agencies with multiple sites please use addendum listing addresses and corresponding expiration dates.

• Current organizational chart

  • Include the current organizational chart, with staff names, titles, and credentials.

• Level 2 background screen on owners, CEOs, CFOs and directors

  • Provide level 2 fingerprinting and background screening information, and include OCA/identifier number from the DCF Regional Background

• Local law enforcement check on owners, CEOs, CFOs and directors

• Affidavit of good moral character

• Application fee

• Licensing application

Opening a treatment center in the beautiful state of Florida is a rewarding endeavor. With the right market research and business plan, you can provide quality care to those that need it most. Here at Orion Treatment Consulting we would love to support you on your journey opening a behavioral health treatment center.