Confidentiality
HIPAA Regulations
The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law which the agency and its staff must comply with. HIPAA requires that everyone who works within the agency take steps to protect confidentiality and privacy of client information.
Head Start Performance Standards address confidentiality in: 1304.51(g). 1304-52(h)(1) and 1304.22(b)(3). No SCCDC, Inc. employee may use or disclose client related information except as required to do the minimum necessary to perform the job. This information includes but is not limited to: name, address, age, health information or private information given to the agency.
All clients, child and family records must be in locked filing cabinets. No one may access client information unless there is a specific job related purpose for doing so. Access to client files must be limited. Staff do not look up information unless there is a need to do so.
Disclosure - Staff may not share information with anyone except as necessary to perform their job. Staff may not discuss client information with family or friends. Confidential files may not leave the site they are located in. When calling a client/parent by phone staff must identify him or herself to the client. Staff may not leave messages with others without client permission.
Permitted Disclosures - The agency is permitted and required to report: Child Abuse & Neglect, Crimes to Law Enforcement, Infectious Diseases, Threats of Suicide, Homicide or Terrorism. The agency must also respond to Court Orders & Subpoenas.
SCCDC
Main Office: 114 Lark Street
Cobleskill, New York 12043
518-234-7521-phone 518-234-4320- fax
The information provided on this web site is for information purposes only and does not provide any particular recommendations. Be sure to see your community health/mental health provider or other professionals as needed.
