HIPAA NOTICE

Troopers is a nonprofit organization providing housing and recovery support services to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges. Although we are not a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), we understand the sensitive nature of the information you may share with us. We take your privacy seriously and have adopted practices that voluntarily align with HIPAA’s core principles in order to safeguard your Protected Health Information (PHI).

Protected Health Information refers to any information, whether spoken, written, or electronic, that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, the care or treatment you receive, or payment for that care, and that can reasonably be used to identify you. Examples include your name, date of birth, medical or psychiatric history, addiction treatment status, and other personal details shared in the course of seeking housing or supportive services through Troopers.

We will only use or disclose your PHI with your written permission, provided through signed Consent to Share Information or Release of Information forms. When authorized, your information may be used to help coordinate care with licensed healthcare providers, support referrals for treatment, or follow up on housing-related services connected to your health and recovery. We will never use your information for marketing purposes, and we will not share it with any outside individuals or organizations unless you have given us specific permission to do so.

There are certain limited circumstances in which we may be required to disclose your PHI without your written consent. These situations include cases where there is an imminent danger to your safety or the safety of others, where we are legally required to report suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult, or where we receive a valid court order compelling us to provide information. In such situations, we will only share the minimum amount of information necessary and will take steps to protect your dignity and confidentiality to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Even though HIPAA does not legally apply to our organization, we recognize your right to have control over your information. You may request a copy of any personal or health-related records that we have shared on your behalf. If you believe that any part of your record is inaccurate, you have the right to request that we correct or update the information. You may also withdraw your consent to share information at any time, with the understanding that we cannot undo disclosures made prior to the date your revocation takes effect. If you prefer to receive communications from us in a specific way or through a specific person, we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your request.

Troopers uses a combination of physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect your information. Our staff is trained on confidentiality and privacy practices, and access to sensitive information is limited to authorized personnel who need it in order to support your care, housing stability, or recovery efforts. Records are stored securely and reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with our internal privacy standards.

This Notice of Privacy Practices may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted at all Troopers locations and made available upon request. We encourage you to review this notice periodically to stay informed about how your information is protected.

If you have questions about this notice, how your information is used, or if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact a Troopers staff member or submit a written inquiry to the designated privacy contact listed below. Troopers does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises concerns about privacy or who chooses to exercise their rights.

For privacy inquiries or complaints, please contact:

Troopers Officer

German Urrego

(305) 450-8763

Me@GermanUrrego.com

At Troopers, your privacy is a priority. We are committed to supporting your recovery and housing journey with respect, transparency, and trust.