The staff also inspects group care facilities, private water systems, food service establishments, tanning facilities and investigates rabies outbreaks and incidents involving toxic substances and hazardous materials. For a fee, staff can also test private wells and water supply for bacteria and nitrate contamination. The department's family health services staff can provide assistance to financially eligible adults and children. Services are free to Medicaid recipients, but will also be made to low-income working families at fees based on income. Staff can screen, diagnose, counsel and treat sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, for income-based fees.
Staff can also screen, x-ray, diagnose and treat tuberculosis.
For new members, the department also provides prenatal, delivery and postpartum services that can include medical exams, pregnancy tests, lab tests, counseling, education, Healthy Start screening. Most services are available for income-based fees. Each of the three Highlands County communities has branch offices. In Avon Park, an office is located at 816 S. Delaney Ave. The health department also hosts free Tuesday night clinics staffed by local medical professionals who, by appointment, will see patients on a volunteer basis.