Your information

Privacy & legal notice

How we protect your information, in plain language. You do not need an account or a sign-in to read this page — anyone can read it, and you can print it.

This document is still under review and won't be completely finalized until the site goes to a full hard launch.

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Four rules that protect you

Each rule below is explained the same way on our staff screens, so staff and families read the same facts.

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Social services, not clinical healthcare

We are a social service and community center — meals, rides, activities and friendship — not a doctor's office or clinic. Because we don't diagnose, treat or bill health insurance, the HIPAA medical privacy law does not apply to us. Your information is protected by other federal and state rules described below.

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Your records stay confidential

Under the Older Americans Act, we never share your records — including your income, benefits or disability information — with anyone not authorized, unless you give written permission.

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National best practices

Our record-keeping follows the National Institute of Senior Centers standards for confidentiality, secure storage and written release of information.

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Public records requests

Even though we work with our member towns, personal details like your birth date, emergency contacts and income are kept private and are generally exempt from public records requests. Reports to towns show totals only, never names.

We are not lawyers

Center staff, directors and municipal agents are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. This information is for general guidance only. If you have questions about HIPAA, public records, privacy laws or your legal rights, please contact an attorney. See local elder law attorneys.

What this means day to day

Only staff who sign in can see member records, and the server checks each staff account before the page opens.
What you share on your member profile stays visible to signed-in members — never to the general public.
Before we save a client ID or birth date, we ask for written consent. Signed forms are kept in our consent archive.
Reports we give to our member towns show totals only — never names, birth dates or income.

Already signed a consent form on your phone and want to check it is on file? Check a reference number. That page never shows names or signatures.

Questions about your records?

Call the center at (860) 774-1243 or stop by 69 South Main Street, Brooklyn, CT 06234. We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

If a town or anyone else asks for your personal information, we refer the request to our director, Sophie Charron, and we do not hand over client records without your written permission.

Remember: we are not lawyers. For legal advice, contact an attorney — see local elder law attorneys.