Privacy Policy  

Canadian Family Health Counselling is committed to meeting the highest standard of ethics with respect to the collection, use, security and disclosure of personal information with clients, staff, consultants, and volunteers. Emotional Health Practitioners are committed to meeting or exceeding the privacy standards established by relevant legislation, and their respective governing associations.

We review policies and procedures on an ongoing basis and may amend these from time to time. If such amendments significantly alter how we use, maintain or disclose previously collected personal information, we will inform those affected and obtain consent where required.

Accuracy of Personal Information

Canadian Family Health Counselling uses advanced technology and well-defined practices to ensure personal information is processed promptly, accurately, and completely. We depend on you to advise us of any changes to your personal information and we will promptly correct any information that is found to be incorrect or incomplete.

The Information We Collect / Security

The type of personal information we collect may vary depending upon the individuals involved and the nature of their relationships with Canadian Family Health Counselling.

For clients of the Canadian Family Health Counselling (children, youth and families), we may collect personal and health information that may include name, address, date of birth, health card information, and personal/family information related to assessment, counselling and treatment.

For GrowHappy® Earth Stewards we collect personal information that may include name, address, phone number, date of birth, health card number, allergy information, and personal/family information, along with other information we feel necessary to provide a safe environment for our Camp and School Programs.

For staff and volunteers we may ask for name, proof of address, SIN, proof of professional education/registration, and criminal record check information.

Safeguards and Security

All agents of Canadian Family Health Counselling, including staff, volunteers, Directors and accreditors are bound by an oath of confidentiality with respect to personal information obtained in the course of their work with the Agency. This oath is taken upon commencement of their involvement and continues in effect indefinitely upon their departure. Personal information may be stored in paper or electronic files. All information is protected by physical and electronic security measures appropriate to the nature of the information, and is accessible only by authorized personnel.

How We Use Your Information

The use of information may vary depending upon the individuals involved and the nature of their relationships with us. To provide assessment, counselling and treatment service. For quality assurance purposes, including feedback on how effective and helpful our services have been, to allow us to improve our services. To comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. To contact individuals regarding upcoming events, activities, and programs that may be of interest. For fundraising purposes aggregate or anonymous information that will not be linked to identified individuals may be used for research and program evaluation purposes, and for education and professional development of our staff.

Unless otherwise required by law, Canadian Family Health Counselling does not share personal information with third parties without specific consent.

Clients

We do not share personal information with anyone outside of Canadian Family Health Counselling, GrowHappy®, and our agents (e.g. consultants, legal counsel, accreditors) without specific consent. We share information with other professionals, hospitals, agencies and schools who are involved in the care, education and treatment of clients only when the client (age 16 and over) or parent/authorized caregiver (for child or youth under age 16) provides consent for us to do so. The only exceptions are legally necessary disclosures ordered by a subpoena or required to notify authorities in situations of suspected abuse, neglect, or imminent harm.

Staff/Consultants

We do not release personnel-related information without the consent of the employee except to agents of the organization (e.g. payroll services, group insurance provider) as required in the course of conducting regular business practices.

Retention and Access to Your Information 

We keep personal information in active files or systems only as long as needed to meet the purposes for which it was collected, as required by law, specific Agency policy or, where applicable, for the appropriate statute of limitations period. Client and personnel records are maintained in secure storage indefinitely.

Access to Personal Information 

Individuals have the right to access their personal information and to verify or correct the information if it is shown to be inaccurate. Specific policies exist within Canadian Family Health Counselling with respect to access and disclosure of personal information. Individuals may request access to their information and/or information related to its use, retention and disclosure at any time by contacting us at grow@canadianfamilyhealth.ca.

For more information about Canadian Family Health Counselling privacy, please contact:

155 Hunter Street East Peterborough, ON K9H 1G9
Peterborough Office: 705-740-8360

We do not automatically gather any personal information such as your name, phone number, e-mail or address. This information is only obtained if you supply it voluntarily, through contacting us by e-mail, by asking to be added to an Information Network, or to receive electronic newsletters or other information.

Any personal information you provide to us will not be sold to any third party. We use software that receives and records the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer that has contacted our website. We make no attempt to link these addresses with the identity of individuals contacting our site. The information is used to improve the content of this site and is not shared with other organizations.

We do not regularly use "cookies" to track how our visitors use the site. Whenever we enable "cookies" to facilitate our transactions, we will first inform you.

If you choose to participate in an online forum or discussion group or join an Information Network or similar list, we may ask you to volunteer personal information such as your name and e-mail address for the purposes of effective administration of the forum or discussion group. We will not disclose this information to anyone outside of Canadian Family Health Counselling without your prior consent.