Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay (BBBS)
respects the confidentiality of Client and Volunteer records and with the
exception of situations listed below, shares information about Clients and
Volunteers among the agency’s professional staff only. All records are
considered the property of the agency and not the agency Employees, Clients, or
Volunteers themselves. Records are not
available for review by the clients or the volunteers.
1. Information
will be released to other individuals with non-BBBS organizations only with written
consent from the Client or the Volunteer.
2. Identifying
information regarding Clients and Volunteers may be used in agency publications
or promotional materials unless the client or volunteer requests otherwise.
3. For
purposes of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with the prior
approval of the Board of Directors, certain outside bodies such as Big Brothers
Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) may have access to Client and Volunteer records.
4. Members
of the Board of Directors or evaluators appointed by the Board have access to Client
files upon the authorization of the Board of Directors.
5. Information
shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a
valid and enforceable subpoena.
6. Information
shall be provided to an agency’s legal counsel in the event of litigation or
potential litigation involving the agency.
7. State
law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the appropriate
authorities (Florida Department of Law Enforcement).
8. If
an agency Employee receives information indicating that a Client or Volunteer
may be dangerous to himself or herself or to others, necessary steps may be
taken to protect the appropriate party/parties involved. This may include a medical referral or report
to the local law enforcement authorities.
9. At
the time a child or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, information
is shared between the prospective match parties. Information about the Volunteer may include
such items as: age; sex; race; religion;
interests; hobbies; marital and family status, sexual orientation; living
situation; etc. Information about the
child may include such items as age; sex, race; religion; interests; hobbies;
family and living situation; etc.
10. Confidentiality policy is applicable to
all forms of social media including but not limited to blogs, Twitter, Wiki,
chat rooms, forums, and online social networking sites such as LinkedIn,
Facebook, and MySpace, and any other form of online publishing or discussion,
whether such media exists now or in the future. Volunteers must keep all forms
of social media set to private and any sharing of information must be approved
by Parent/Guardian and age appropriate for the child to view. To ensure child’s
safety, Big Brothers Big Sisters requests that all interaction via social media
be reported to Match Support Specialist . Volunteer cannot post pictures or any
identifying information on any form of social media without Parent/Guardian
approval.