SMS Privacy Policy
Child and Family Charities is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your information when you choose to receive SMS (text message) communications from us.
What Information We Collect
When you opt in to receive SMS messages, we may collect:
– Your name
– Your mobile phone number
– Limited appointment or case-related information
We do not request or send highly sensitive protected health information (PHI) via text message.
How We Use SMS
We use text messaging to:
– Send appointment reminders
– Provide basic case or program updates
– Share time-sensitive but non-sensitive service information
SMS is not used for detailed health records, diagnoses, or treatment discussions. These communications are designed to be minimal in content to comply with HIPAA privacy and security standards.
Your Consent
By opting in, you are authorizing Child and Family Charities to send you non-sensitive communications via SMS. While we take precautions to protect your privacy, text messaging is not a secure form of communication and may pose some risk of unauthorized access. You may withdraw your consent at any time by replying STOP to any message or by contacting us directly.
HIPAA & SMS Limitations
Text messages are not encrypted and are therefore not considered a HIPAA-secure method for transmitting sensitive health information. For confidential or detailed discussions about your case, we will use secure, HIPAA-compliant communication methods such as phone calls or in-person meetings.
Opting Out
To stop receiving SMS messages at any time, reply STOP to any message. You may also contact your caseworker or our main office to update your communication preferences.
Data Security & Privacy
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, in compliance with HIPAA. However, due to the nature of SMS, we encourage clients to avoid sending personal, medical, or sensitive information via text.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties.
Carrier & Cost Information
Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile plan and carrier. Child and Family Charities is not responsible for charges incurred through your mobile service provider.
Policy Updates
This policy may be updated periodically. Updates will be posted to our website with the new effective date. Effective Date: August 05, 2025 Contact Us: For any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the Child and Family Charities Human Resources Department at (517 882-4000).