San Diego County CoC Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Summary of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED SHARED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY
Effective Date: April 21, 2016
Our Duty to Safeguard Your Protected Information
Lifeline Community Services 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 Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for the use of housing and services. Although the 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 any information you may give us.
We are also required to follow the privacy practices described in this Notice, although Lifeline Community Services 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 agency that participates in the HMIS.
How We May Use and Share Your Information
We use and share collective information for a variety of reports. We have a limited right to include some of your information for reports on homelessness. 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 state, local, private, or national database without your consent. 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 to Share and/or Disclose Information 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 the HMIS. However, clients may be refused program entry for not meeting other agency eligibility criteria.
✔ 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.
✔ You have the right to revoke your consent to release information at any time. Information regarding the Client Revocation of Consent to Release Information is available at www.rtfhsd.org.
✔ You have the right to file a Grievance (complaint) if you feel your rights have been violated. Information regarding this HMIS Grievance Procedure is available at www.rtfhsd.org
San Diego County CoC HMIS Summary of Privacy Practices Approved by the Givernance Board April 21, 2016 Updated June 23, 2020