Volunteer Services

The Florida Department of Health's Volunteer Services Program in action.

This Innovative program is a network of over 17,000 volunteers who generously donate their time and talent to Florida's citizens in need.

Our Program's Mission

1. To facilitate the recruitment and retention of qualified volunteers for Florida's public health system.

2. To increase access to health care for those Floridians who are uninsured and without the necessary financial resources to obtain medical care.

The Volunteer Services Program achieves this mission through the coordination of two distinct volunteer campaigns governed by Chapter 110.501 Florida Statutes and Chapter 766.1115 Florida Statutes.

F. S. Chapter 110.501

Your contribution is Important to the Florida Department of Health.

The Florida Department of Health provides many opportunities for anyone who wants to contribute their special talents to those in need. Floridians who get involved open up a whole new world of rewards and satisfaction that will last a lifetime. Some may volunteer to provide administrative support in an office setting, while others lend their special skills as medical and dental professionals, interpreters, computer experts, photographers, and more. As a valued colleague, training and supervision is available to all volunteers.

F. S. Chapter 766.1115

Health care professionals lending their special skills to keep Florida Healthy.

Health care professionals (physicians, dentists, nurses etc.) are also encouraged to volunteer their special skills to those Floridians without access to appropriate health care. Although these professionals must be actively (with a regular or limited) licensed to practice, they may do so in their local county health department, homeless shelter or even in their own private offices.

Health Care Professionals

In 1992, The Florida Legislature passed the "Access To Health Care Act" (Section 766.1115 F.S.) which established the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program.

The intent of this legislation was two-fold: to increase access to health care for indigent Floridians through the use of volunteers, and to increase the number of health care volunteers through the extension of state-sponsored sovereign immunity* protection.

Through their volunteer service, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and other licensed professionals are responding to the needs of those who cannot afford to pay for medical care. These volunteer health care professionals provide a safety net of primary and specialty care to those in greatest need.

Working with local health departments, medical and dental clinics, community clinics, and institutional facilities, health care providers are making a difference. The Volunteer Health Care Provider Program is a public/private partnership supported by the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Dental Association.

*Sovereign immunity makes it easier to be
"a good neighbor".

This State of Florida Statute 766.1115 protection is based on the volunteer serving as an agent of the State of Florida. Basically, this means that the State of Florida assumes responsibility for the treatment of patients eligible under this program.

Program Profile

The Florida Department of Health sponsors the Statewide Volunteer Services Program through the Division of Family Health Services. Ten regional coordinators work with County Health Departments, Children's Medical Services, and private volunteer health care organizations to coordinate volunteerism efforts throughout the State. Program staff are caring and knowledgeable and are ready to answer your questions about volunteering in the field of health care.

Choose your county of interest below for summary of volunteer activities.

News

Volunteer Service Links

Contact Information

Postal address, telephone and fax:

State Coordinator:
Shannon Lease, M.S.
Department of Health Headquarters
BIN #A13
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee FL 32399-1722
Telephone (850) 245-4104 (SC)205-4104
FAX (850) 414-6091 (SC)994-6091

Electronic mail:

Volunteer opportunities contact regional coordinator: (see county of interest.)
General program information: Shannon_Lease@doh.state.fl.us


This Website is made possible through the significant contribution of
James S. Kuczek, Region 7 Volunteer Coordinator.

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