2014 Collaborative Session Notes
CONFIDENTIALITY
Convener: Neena Wilcox, The Bridge to Recovery [email protected]
Scribe:
Jonathan Routhier, Westbridge, [email protected]
Participants:
Tiffany Gormany, Capstone
Mallie Tucker, Ascend Recovery
Lauren Kirschberg, Pine Grove
Megan O’Connor, Valley Hope
Krystle Connor, Right Step
Missy Garrison, Rosecrance
Tania Bhattacharyya, New Directions for Women
How to answer questions about the status of former clients:
- If someone is still in treatment: “I cannot confirm or deny.”
- Informed consent when someone becomes an alumni is very important.
- Some alumni programs are not governed by HIPAA if they are not experiencing concurrent treatment.
Best practice is to meet with people to describe the informed consent to contact them once they leave treatment. If you leave a voicemail you need to be discreet – don’t leave the name of your treatment center.
Social media
- Pine Grove uses a private Facebook group.
- Members have to be invited.
- Should call it something generic.
- On Facebook, people can search for a “private” group but not a “secret” group.
Email lists – people may request to be removed.
Family members each have to sign a consent form if you want to be in contact with them. Clients should sign a release for them, too.
Release/consent should include:
- How do you want to be contacted?
- Initials signaling consent for their name to be released to family and other alums
- Important to inform the client about what you would release.
Alumni Events – some places require releases or waivers for liability