Special Programs

Institutional Care/Day Care/Jails/Food Processors

The Institutional Care Program is responsible for inspecting all licensed day care, assisted living, boarding homes and county jail facilities. This program conducts routine inspections according to the delegation agreement with the Arizona Department of Environmental Services.

Day care facilities are adult and childcare centers which are licensed by the State of Arizona and engaged in serving meals. Enteric illness investigations are done at the request of the Maricopa County Public Health department.

Licensed assisted living facilities include nursing homes, supervisory care, personal care and directed care. This program also inspects County jail kitchens and living areas of un-sentenced jail inmates.

The Food Processor Program is a program designed to bring a greater level of expertise to food establishments with high volume food production and/or complex food processes and equipment.

For more information regarding these programs, contact:

• Ralph Jones at (602) 506-6974, or by email at rjones@mail.maricopa.gov
• Paul Reeves at (602) 506-0113, or by email at preeves@mail.maricopa.gov
• Gary Baker at (602) 506-6977, or by email at gbaker@mail.maricopa.gov

Foodborne Illness

The Food-borne Illness Program is responsible for the coordination of food-borne illness complaint, outbreak, and epidemiological (communicable disease) investigations in Maricopa County. Complaints of alleged food-borne illness are forwarded to the Food-borne Illness Program from the Environmental Services Complaint Hotline. Once received, the food-borne illness team evaluates the complaint and coordinates with Public Health, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Regional Field Offices to conduct an appropriate complaint response. Report complaints of food-borne illness to (602) 506-6616, or on line at:

Health Complaints

Food Service Worker/Manager

The Food Service Worker/Manger Program is responsible for licensing Food Service Workers and Managers within Maricopa County. A Food Service Worker license is required for all employees working in any permitted food service establishment where exposed food products are handled, prepared or processed. For information regarding requirements, test times and locations, and other useful information related to obtaining a Food Service Worker/Manager license, contact the program coordinator at (602) 506-6929, Tracy Watson

Special Events

The Special Events Program issues "temporary food service" permits for food and beverage concessions at special events. Temporary events include parades, street fairs, festivals and similar events that operate for no more than 14 consecutive days within any permit year. In order to sell any food or beverage product at an event, it is required that a permit application be completed and submitted with the associated permit fee. For questions or requests for additional information, contact the Special Events Coordinator at (602) 506-6978, or by email at JReighard@mail.maricopa.gov