Statement of Information Practices

At Kinark Child and Family Services (Kinark), we are committed to meeting the highest standards with respect to the collection, use, disclosure, storage, retention, and destruction of the personal health information of clients.  
 
We are committed to meeting or exceeding the privacy standards established by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and relevant legislation, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). 

Collection of Personal Health Information

Kinark collects your personal health information directly from you or the person acting on your behalf. This information may be collected in person or via approved electronic communication tools.  
 
The personal health information that we collect may include, for example, your name, date of birth, address, health history, and records of the care and services you receive from us. Occasionally, Kinark collects personal health information about you from other sources if we have obtained your consent to do so or of the law permits. 

The collection of personal health information is limited to that which is reasonable under the circumstances and will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. 

Use and Disclosure of Personal Health Information 

We use and disclose your personal health information to: 

• support your treatment planning and service provision, 
• get payment for your treatment and care, 
• plan, administer and manage our internal operations, 
• conduct risk management activities, 
• conduct quality improvement activities (sending patient satisfaction surveys), 
• teach, 
• conduct research, 
• keep you informed about available programs and services, 
• comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and 
• fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law. 

Safeguarding your Privacy 

We take steps to protect your personal health information from theft, loss and unauthorized copying, modification, use, disclosure, and disposal. 

We conduct audits and complete investigations to monitor and manage our privacy compliance. 

We take steps to ensure that everyone who performs services for us protects your privacy and only uses your personal health information for the purposes you have consented to. 

Your Choices 

You have the right to access and correct your personal health information or withdraw your consent for some of the above uses and disclosures by contacting our privacy office (subject to legal exceptions). 

For questions or complaints relating to privacy and personal health information, please contact: 

You have a right to complain to the Information Privacy Commissioner if you think your rights have been violated.