CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso respects the confidentiality of clients and volunteer records and, with the exception of situations listed below, shares information about clients and volunteers only among agency staff.
All records are considered the property of the agency and not the agency workers or clients or volunteers themselves. Records are not available for review by clients or volunteers. Information will not be released except in the following circumstances:
1. Information will be released to other individuals or non-BBBS organizations only with the client or volunteers written consent.
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 the purpose of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with prior approval of the Board of Directors, certain outside bodies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 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 authorization of the Board of Directors.
5. Information shall be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena.
6. Information shall be provided to funders, fiscal agents, and/or partners.
7. Information shall be provided to an agency’s legal counsel in the event of litigation or potential litigation involving the agency.
8. State law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the appropriate authorities.
9. If an agency worker 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. This may include medical referral or report to the local law enforcement authorities.
10. At the time the child or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, information is shared between the prospective match parties. The information about the volunteer may include items such as: age, sex, race, religion, interest, hobbies, marriage, family status, sexual orientation, living situation, etc. Information about a client may include such items as age, sex, race, religion, interest, hobbies, family situations, etc.
COPPA PARENTAL CONSENT
Notice to Parents In compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), parents (or legal guardians) of children under 13 years of age must consent to collections, uses and disclosures of the personal information of their children collected by Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso on Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso and Big Brothers Big Sisters NATIONAL websites, including bbbsep.org, bbbs.org, MatchForce (Salesforce), forms.bbbs.org, Form Assembly and formstack.io.
Your permission is required for the collection, use, or disclosure of your child’s personal information.
We will not grant your child access to any BBBS website account unless you provide us with permission. BBBS website and social media accounts provide access to BBBS content, materials, and resources relating to BBBS programs and activities.