Los Angeles/Orange County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Collaborative

PRIVACY NOTICE

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED
AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

Our Duty to Safeguard Your Protected Information

American Family Housing collects information about who uses our services. We will ask for your permission to enter the information we collect about you and your family into a computer program called the LA/OC HMIS. Although the LA/OC HMIS helps us to keep track of your information, individually identifiable information about you is considered "Protected Information". We are required to protect the privacy of your identifying information and to give you notice about how, when and why we may use or disclose and information you may give us.

We are also required to follow the privacy practices described in this Notice, although American Family Housing reserves the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time. You may request a copy of the notice from any participating LA/OC HMIS Collaborative Agency.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Information

We use and disclose collective information for a variety of reports. We have a limited right to include some of your information for reports on homelessness and services needed by those who are homeless. Information that could be used to tell who you are will never be used for these reports. We will not turn your information over to a national database. We must have your written consent to use or disclose your information unless the law permits or requires us to make the use or disclosure without your permission. Please review the Client Consent/Release of Information Authorization for details. You must sign this form before we can use your information, but you do not have to sign the form in order to receive services.

Your Rights Regarding Your Information

• You have the right to get services even if you choose NOT to participate in LA/OC HMIS.

• You have the right to ask for information about who has seen your information.

• You have the right to see your information and change it, if it is not correct.