It is the policy of Partners in Housing to protect the confidentiality of clients as well as to protect their right to privacy. PIH also extends to collaborating agencies confidentiality in regard to any information received from them in regard to a client.
All individuals, agencies, or other organizations performing on grants, contracts, and / or agreements are informed about confidentiality and sign a statement of understanding that they will keep confidential the information they hear about clients.
Personal information learned by anyone performing on a grant, contract, and / or agreement or volunteers connected to same, which concerns clients, other caregivers and providers is to be held in strict confidence.
This information is only to be used among organization staff and professional staff of collaborating agencies with whom it needs to be disclosed for the professional planning of care.
Access to and dissemination of restricted information must be controlled by the principle of need-to-know. An employee has a need-to-know if disclosure of the information to that person assists performance of his/her assigned duties. Need-to-know must be prudently determined. An individual does not have a need-to-know merely because of title or position. On the other hand, need-to-know should not be used to hide or obscure information from someone or some groups within with a valid interest and requirements for such information. The CEO of the organization performing under this policy has the ultimate responsibility for determining need-to-know.
Information is only exchanged with other professionals, individuals, families or family members with the full knowledge and signed authorization of the client.
All personnel must be informed of policies and procedures concerning the protection of sensitive information regarding the confidentiality of client records and information.
Failure to abide by confidentiality policies is grounds for termination of the contract, agreement, or grant.