Confidentiality Policy

The client, not the professional, has the right to exercise the privilege of disclosing any information provided or observed regarding themselves or their children.  Therefore, the staff of the Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. will not disclose any information about any client to another person or agency without the written consent of that client.  The client and staff person must completely fill out the “Release of Information” form including the name of the person and/or agency to which the information is to be released, as well as the nature of the information and duration that the release is to remain active prior to disclosing any information regarding the client.  We will not accept a third party Release of Information.

Should the staff of the Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. need to seek shelter for a client at another domestic violence project, only pertinent information for sheltering and assessment will be disclosed per CCADV’s Transportation and Referral Protocol.

For clients seen or called by the Family Violence Victim Advocate, a review of the confidentiality policy and verbal authorization to release specific information will be noted on the Family Violence Individual Case Report of the Victim Advocates in the statement of the victim section.  If both parties need services from the Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. confidentiality will be maintained as individual cases at all times and/or referrals will be made.

For the safety of our clients who seek shelter, the location of the Tracy Thurman House will remain confidential information.  Also, for safety reasons, the home phone numbers and addresses of our staff shall not be disclosed to anyone outside of the agency including clients.

If a client should dispose any information that implies they are a threat to themselves or someone else, we will notify the appropriate authorities and other persons involved.  As mandated reporters, we are required by law to contact the appropriate authorities if there is any suspicion or implication of child abuse and/or neglect of if there is a medical emergency.

If the agency is subpoenaed, an attempt to contact the client will be made for a “Release of Information” prior to a responding to the request for information.  The response will be made in accordance to the subpoena.  The Network reserves the right to release otherwise confidential information in an emergency to law enforcement or public safety officials.

This policy applies to the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and interns where applicable.

A copy of this Confidentiality Policy will be posted in each office and reviewed with all clients accessing services from the agency.