Privacy Policy

Introduction

Refuge House, Inc. ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our internal service applications.

Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Email address and full name (via Google OAuth authentication)
• Authentication credentials managed through Clerk Authentication services
• Case management data and home visit documentation
• Compliance tracking information
• Child welfare and foster care service records
• Usage data and application interaction logs

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Authenticate and verify authorized Refuge House staff members
• Provide and maintain our internal service applications
• Process and manage foster care case documentation
• Track compliance with regulatory requirements
• Coordinate home visits and case management activities
• Ensure child welfare safety protocols are followed
• Improve our services and develop new features
• Communicate with you about service updates and important information

Data Storage and Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information. Our applications are hosted on Vercel's secure infrastructure, and authentication is managed through Clerk's enterprise-grade security platform. We use encryption for data transmission and storage, and limit access to personal information to authorized personnel only.

All data is stored in compliance with HIPAA regulations and child welfare data protection requirements. We maintain comprehensive audit logs and implement strict access controls to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate our applications:

• Google OAuth: For secure authentication and identity verification
• Clerk Authentication: For user management and access control
• Vercel: For application hosting and deployment

These services have their own privacy policies governing their collection and use of information. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Data Access and User Rights

As an authorized user, you have the right to:

• Access your personal information stored in our systems
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal and regulatory requirements)
• Obtain a copy of your data in a portable format
• Withdraw consent for certain data processing activities

To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@refugehouse.org.

HIPAA and Child Welfare Compliance

Refuge House, Inc. is committed to complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and all applicable state and federal child welfare data protection laws. We implement appropriate safeguards to protect sensitive health information and ensure that all foster care and child welfare data is handled in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Foster care records and case documentation are retained in accordance with state and federal record retention requirements.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.