(1) Clients of Samish Indian Nation’s Housing Program can expect that information they provide to the Department or obtained by the Department in providing services to them under the Swoleqwelh Program will be kept confidential by the Housing Department and its staff to the greatest extent allowed by applicable law.

(2) The Housing Department will not disclose the information clients provide. Client household members’ name, address, phone number, and other personal information will not be shared with other individuals or agencies without written consent.

(3) Persons employed with Samish Indian Nation’s Housing Department are mandatory reporters that must make a report if they have reason to believe that the abuse, abandonment, neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult has occurred or have reasonable cause to suspect that a minor has been abused or neglected. Staff will inform clients of any reporting requirements prior to having conversations with clients. If a staff member makes such a report, he or she will notify the client that such a report has been made and the general nature of the report.

(4) Some general information about the types of services provided and overall demographics (e.g., age and income ranges, average number of children, ethnicities) of people that use Housing services must be shared with the agencies that fund our program. However, information that specifically could identify clients who have used Washington Youth and Family Funds will never be shared unless specifically authorized in writing by the adult clients of the household.

(5) After the initial intake into the Housing Department, clients may choose to be referred to other agencies for additional help and support and can decide how much or how little of their personal information the Housing Department will or will not share with each partner agency.

(6) Tribal Housing staff will inform clients in general what each partner’s obligations are to keep information confidential.

(7) Tribal Housing staff will obtain the client’s written consent to release personal information with partner agencies including how much and what type of information will be shared. Clients have the right to withdraw their consent to share such information at any time, but it must be in writing and dated by the client. Upon receipt of the written request from the client to withdraw consent, Tribal Housing staff will not share any more information with those partners.

(8) Clients with any questions or concerns about this notice or rights, or a concern that confidential information was not treated appropriately, should contact the Samish Indian Nation Housing Director. [Res. 2020-03-019 § 1, 2020.]