Harbor Light Private Policy
The following guidelines are issued in connection with The Salvation Army Policy Statement on Confidentiality and the Protection of Personal Privacy.
Fact of Participation
The fact that an individual is or has been a participant in a Salvation Army social service or community service program should not be disclosed outside The Salvation Army unit, except as may be specifically defined in the national standards in effect for the particular kind of program. This restraint will not apply to public meetings or program in which participants take part as "members;" e.g., troop activities, community center programs, boys' clubs.
Inquiries by visit, telephone or letter regarding a participant in a Salvation Army residential program should be answered with the statement that information as to whether a particular individual is or has been in residence cannot be divulged; that, if in fact the individual is in residence, he/she will be advised of the inquiry, and that, at his/her discretion, the client will or will not, communicate with the inquirer.
Disclosure to Other Organizations
Disclosure of limited client information to other social service agencies, for the purpose of a referral to or from The Salvation Army, generally would be permitted if a determination is made that the disclosure is in the interest of the client.
Before client records can be disclosed to individuals or agencies outside of The Salvation Army, the written consent of the client must be obtained. The consent should be in writing and should identify the information to be disclosed, the person or agency to whom it will be disclosed, the purpose of the disclosure, and the date upon which the clients consent expires.
On the other hand, information is to be withheld where The Salvation Army is required by law (as in alcohol and drug programs regulated or funded by a federal agency or in child care or health care facilities, which disclosure is prohibited by state regulations) and/or where by contract The Salvation Army has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of client records.
Disclosure of information relating to program participants should not be made to employers, credit agencies, unions, or other similar organizations, except under terms and conditions contractually defined where employment is an integral part of the program (e.g., contracts with federal or state correctional authorities for early release).
If there is doubt about whether client information should be disclosed, local legal counsel should be obtained and the appropriate Salvation Army administrative headquarters should be consulted before the information is disclosed.
Clearing House
Whereas, as a general rule, there is no objection to participation by The Salvation Army in clearing houses, there are any number of situations in which such disclosure is prohibited by contract or regulation or where disclosure of the information could damage the client. Because of the varied and fluctuating makeup of the usual Army case load, written consent of the client should be included in the clearing house procedure. The information provided to the clearing house should be limited to that which is necessary for the clearing house to perform its basic function. The clearing house should provide some written statement (e.g., agreement or policy statement) that the clearing house will limit the further disclosure of such information.
Where clearing house information is shared electronically by several agencies through computer access, the clearinghouse should have written agreements from each participating agency limiting computer access to appropriate staff at each agency.
Information to the Client
In some situations The Salvation Army may be required by state or municipal law to disclose to the participant information contained in his/her own case record. Information disclosed should be limited to that which is included in the formally completed and approved case record. The formal case record should contain factual information, not informal counselor notes and/or casual observations. Information provided by other agencies should not be shared, as it is not the property or responsibility of The Salvation Army.
Law Enforcement Personnel
Except where a crime has been committed at a Salvation Army institution, disclosure to law enforcement agencies, whether local or state police, district attorneys or the FBI, of the participation by an individual in a Salvation Army program, or of information contained in record, should be refused.
Whether served by an attorney in a civil action or at the instance of a governmental agency, a subpoena served on The Salvation Army for information regarding a participant should be resisted. It is noted that a subpoena is not the same as a court order. Specifically, local legal counsel should be retained to appear in court to move to quash the subpoena, thus compelling the person seeking disclosure of the information to show the court good cause for such disclosure, in order to request a court order. In any case, before any action is taken, the local Salvation Army operation should contact its immediate administrative headquarters.
Since an arrest warrant or a search warrant is a court order which has been issued by a court after showing of probable cause, if such a warrant is presented to a Salvation Army facility relating to a client in residence, The Salvation Army facility should cooperate with the law enforcement agency in making the arrest or the search, preferably in a manner which will involve the least disruption of the program at the facility.
Release of Records Under Court Order
The Salvation Army is the owner and controller of all client records. No records may be removed from Salvation Army premises or transmitted to other parties without specific written approval by The Salvation Army office in charge or the executive director, in consultation with local legal counsel.
In the event that Salvation Army client records are required by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, when good cause for such disclosure has been determined by the court, the records which have been subpoenaed by the court shall be delivered to the court, on the date request, only by The Salvation Army officer in charge or the executive director or other staff as designated in writing.
If the court requires a review of a client record, The Salvation Army representative shall bring (not send) the record to the court, and request that the court review such record in closed chambers and admit only the minimum portion of such record which is relevant to the proceedings under consideration.
Limitations of Court Testimony
No Salvation Army personnel shall testify concerning areas of a client's life for which they are not fully educated and licensed to make appropriate professional assessments.
Child Abuse
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these guidelines, Salvation Army facilities will comply with all state and municipal laws requiring reporting to governmental agencies of instances of child abuse. Failure to comply with such laws can result in criminal sanctions.
Prison Rape Elimination act
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed in 2003 with unanimous support from both parties in Congress. The purpose of the act was to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.” This law applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. Read more
Policy - It is the policy of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Complex that all clients in our care reside and participate in safe facilities and programs free from sexual harassment and sexual abuse. The Salvation Army has a zero tolerance policy regarding any form of harassment or abuse towards our clients. The Salvation Army Harbor Light Complex reserves the right to refuse entry into our facility any individual who interacts inappropriately with Harbor Light Complex clients.
Agency Responsibility
- The Salvation Army Harbor Light Complex will appropriately investigate all reported claims of sexual abuse or harassment.
- The claims of sexual abuse or harassment will be reviewed internally by the committee assigned for PREA compliance.
- Each claim will be responded to according to the agency policies and procedures.
- Appropriate counseling and assistance will be offered to all victims.
- Any violators will be addressed in accordance with policy and if appropriate referred to the authorities.
Communication with other agencies
- It is the policy of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Complex to work with other agencies so that those receiving services will be free from experiencing sexual abuse or harassment.
- Should a client of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Complex report abuse or harassment from another agency, the Executive Director of the Complex will be notified.
- The Executive Director will communicate the details of the incident to the other agencies Director or designee concerning the alleged incident.
- The Executive Director will follow up within 3 business days and every 3 days thereafter as to the results of the investigation until a conclusive response is received.
Questions or Comments? Further inquiries can be emailed to: Beau Hill, Executive Director of Harbor Light at Beau.Hill@use.salvationarmy.org