TO BE READ AND SIGNED BY PARENTS/GUARDIANS
In
order for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick to provide a responsible and professional service it is necessary for clients,
parents/guardians, and volunteers to share personal information about
themselves and their families. BBBS keeps this information confidential, with
special exceptions listed below. In all cases, any
information will be shared only among the agency’s professional staff. The
right to confidentiality includes
written records, video,
film, pictures and use of the client’s
or volunteer’s name in agency publication or displays.
Limits of Confidentiality
1. Information
will be released to other individuals or organizations only after a “Consent to Release Information” form is signed by the volunteer, client or client’s
guardian. Written consent will not be necessary in
emergency situations, situations that are reportable by law (such as abuse or
neglect situations), or in court cases demanding information through subpoenas
or court orders.
2. Information
identifying clients and volunteers may be used in agency publications or promotional
materials only after the individuals have given their written permission.
3. Case records may be made available to the Board of Directors and/or Big Brothers
Big Sisters of America for purposes of program
evaluation, audit, or accreditation.
4. Maine State Law requires that suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment of any
child be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. All personnel, including paid professional staff and volunteers, are required to
notify the appropriate supervisor immediately if abuse or neglect is suspected.
5. If any agency
worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer was dangerous to themselves or others, necessary steps
shall be taken to protect the appropriate party. This may include a medical
referral or a report to the local law enforcement authorities.
6. The nature of services provided by BBBS requires that confidential
information about potential Bigs or Littles be shared between client, guardian,
and volunteer prior to a match meeting. The information revealed is provided as
a profile and includes only information which is relevant to the individual’s
present circumstances and behavior. No identifying facts (name, address, etc.)
are shared until all parties' consent to the match. The only exception to this
is when the caseworker suspects the proposed match parties may already know
each other; in this case it would be necessary to exchange names
first. Then, if there are no objections to the match,
profile information will be shared.