Section 406.25  Confidentiality of Records and Information

a)         The caregiver shall respect the confidential nature of the child and family records.

b)         Information pertaining to the admission, progress, health, or discharge of an individual child shall be confidential and limited to authorized representatives of the supervising agency, the Department, caregivers and assistants unless the parent(s) of the child has granted written permission for its disclosure or dissemination.

1)         The facility shall have confidentiality release forms signed by the parents which specifies to whom information may be released and how long the release form is valid.  Such release forms shall be on file at the facility prior to release of information.

2)         If information is requested by outside persons or agencies, a specific written request signed by the person requesting the information shall be obtained and placed on file at the facility prior to the release of confidential information.

3)         Except in extreme emergency or when there is evidence of child abuse, any child 12 years of age or older must be informed of such disclosure of information.