Privacy Policy for Van Buren/Cass District Health Department (VBCDHD)

Effective Date: September 30, 2024

At Van Buren/Cass District Health Department (VBCDHD), we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, share, and safeguard the information you provide to us through our website and services.

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information from you when you interact with our website or use our services:

• Personal Information: Information that can identify you, such as your name, address, phone number, email address, and any other information you provide when completing forms, scheduling appointments, or requesting services.
• Health Information: Specific health-related information that you voluntarily provide when registering for programs, seeking services, or filling out health-related forms.
• Non-Personal Information: Information that does not directly identify you, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, and browsing behavior on our website (e.g., pages visited, links clicked). This information is collected to help us improve your experience on our website.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide you with health services, including scheduling appointments, offering public health programs, and responding to inquiries.
• Communicate with you about public health updates, programs, or services that may benefit you.
• Improve our website functionality and user experience.
• Comply with legal and public health obligations, including reporting requirements.

We will not use your personal or health information for marketing purposes unless we have obtained your explicit consent.

How We Protect Your Information

We use industry-standard security measures to protect the information you provide. These measures include:

• Encryption: Protecting data during transmission to our site.
• Secure Access Controls: Restricting access to your information to only those employees or service providers who need it to perform their duties.
• Data Retention: We retain your information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.

Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following situations:

• With Health Providers: To facilitate the delivery of health services or coordinate care.
• With Public Health Authorities: As required by law, to report public health information or support public health initiatives.
• With Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third parties who assist us in providing services (e.g., hosting or maintaining our website), but they are required to protect your information and cannot use it for any other purpose.

We will only share your information when necessary and in compliance with applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request access to the personal or health information we have about you.
• Correction: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, except where we are required by law to retain it.
• Data Sharing Choices: Opt out of any non-essential sharing of your information, if applicable.

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

Use of Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies help us track usage patterns and improve our website. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, but this may affect your ability to use certain features on our website.

Children’s Privacy

We are committed to protecting the privacy of children. Our services are not directed toward children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites that are not operated by VBCDHD. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party websites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for the latest information on our privacy practices.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your privacy rights, please contact us:

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department
(269) 621 - 3143
PH@vbcassdhd.org
260 South Street, Lawrence, MI 49064