At Apalachee Center, we aim to keep visitors safe and protect our clients’ safety while providing them with appropriate contact with their family, friends and significant others in a way that does not interfere with their ongoing treatment or unit activities. We understand that you and your loved one are going through a difficult time right now. Please know that we will try and help in any way we can. The following information is provided to answer questions commonly asked by family or friends of clients admitted to the inpatient units and to explain the program’s expectations of all visitors.

Confidentiality and Family Communication Treatment Plan

Please be aware that we can only communicate with family and significant others if the client has provided written authorization. Whenever appropriate and authorized, your involvement in treatment and discharge planning is valued and helpful in the recovery process. Meetings or phone conferences with the treatment team can be scheduled by appointment only between 8 am and 5 pm by arranging through a member of the social services team.

Visiting Hours for All Inpatient Units

Monday – Friday

6 pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday, Sundays & Holidays

1 – 3 pm & 6:30 – 8:30 pm 

Exceptions may be approved by the nurse manager, director of nursing, inpatient director, attending physician or APRN.

Visitation Procedures

Safety is always a priority. To that end, certain precautions must be taken to reduce the potential of accidents or injuries. Please understand that these guidelines are intended to promote a safe and therapeutic treatment environment.

  • You may visit only if the client agrees to your visit except for parents or guardians of minors.
  • Visitors must leave purses, backpacks, bags, coats and all smoking materials and food in their vehicle. If you do not arrive in your own vehicle, one of the staff will place your items in a locker at the visitors’ entrance. By law, visitors may be searched to ensure unit safety and security.
  • All visitors must sign in on the visitor’s log and receive a visitor’s badge before entering the unit.
  • Any gifts, clothing or articles brought for the client must be inspected and checked in by staff before entering the unit. Items are not to be given to the client until they are inventoried and determined appropriate. Medications, drugs, food and beverages may not be brought in for clients.
  • Due to confidentiality laws, cameras, cell phones and video recorders may not be brought into the unit.
  • Smoking is not permitted in our facilities.

Immediate Access to Clients for Legal Counsel, Guardian Advocate, Clergy & Immediate Family

Visits from a court representative, a client’s attorney, guardian, guardian advocate, or another person whose intended communication involves matters which are or may be the subject of legal inquiry will not be limited, as required by the law (s.394 F.S.). Non-emergency visits of all such persons may be limited to a reasonable time if the visit does not seriously impair the effective functioning of the unit or the client. “Legal inquiry” includes any matter concerning civil, criminal or administrative law. Prompt access to clergy, physicians or legal counsel shall be ensured.

Legal counsel and personal clergy visiting clients will be escorted to the visitor’s room to ensure the client’s privacy and right to confidentiality.

At times, immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, spouse) may not be able to visit during normal visiting hours for various reasons. When this is the case, they may be granted access to the client via the use of the visitation rooms or Skype with approval from the physician or APRN.

Items Not Allowed in Units

If you accompany a family member or friend during the admission process, we ask that you retain possession of valuable items, credit cards, any cash and all smoking materials. Clients are asked to bring two or three changes of clothes, a sweater, slip-on house shoes or shoes with rubber soles and eyeglasses. A list of all personal items brought to the inpatient unit by a client is recorded. Cash or valuables will be stored in the unit.

The following items are NOT permitted on any of the inpatient units:

  • Cigarettes, snuff, smokeless cigarettes
  • Matches and lighters
  • Razor blades and disposable razors
  • Alcohol and illegal drugs
  • Fingernail files
  • Knives and guns
  • Glass bottles, jars and picture frames
  • Cans with tabs
  • Flowers
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic bags
  • Belts
  • Hangers
  • Shampoo and mouthwash
  • Any clothing with drawstrings
  • Shoelaces
  • Hats
  • Food
  • Mirrors
  • Any other items, determined by staff to pose a potential safety or security hazard

We welcome comments and feedback from clients, families and friends. Our goal is to provide a humane, safe and therapeutic treatment environment so that as soon as possible, a client may return home to resume their normal lives.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.