• Confidentiality Policy



    Hand in Hand Mentorship is required by state and federal privacy laws to protect the privacy of the families we mentor. In addition, we comply with these laws to establish a relationship of trust among those we serve. It is our rule that no employee or volunteer may share confidential information about our clients or former clients with anyone outside of the agency without permission from the mentee.

    Confidential information includes but is not limited to clients’ names, case information, any personal records or other data kept by HNH Family Mentorship in the form of notes, files, or records. Proper authorization means verbal consent from the client.

    Staff members are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information relating to volunteers in addition to mentee families.

    Violation of this policy may result in termination of employment or service. Violation of state and federal laws regarding confidentiality of records may result in criminal penalties and civil liability.

    Employees and volunteers are still required to report a crime, child abuse, or neglect to appropriate state and law enforcement agencies.

  • Do’s and Don’ts About Client Confidentiality



    Do talk about Hand in Hand Family Mentorship’s programs and activities as well as your role in the organization, but do not disclose clients’ names or talk about them in ways that would make their identity known to people outside of our organization.

    Do not reveal to people outside of HNH Family Mentorship that an individual is or has been a recipient of services unless the client has given permission to do so.

    Do obtain proper authorization from mentee families before sharing information with outside parties, even when assisting clients with achieving their case plan goals.

    Do ask HNH staff for clarification if you are unsure about the confidential nature of specific information.

  • Code of Ethics for Mentors



    Mentors are not responsible for the personal obligations and commitments that are required of the individuals they mentor. Required commitments to the Department, court dates, etc. are the responsibility of the mentee, although a mentor may choose to attend in offering support.

    A mentor’s sole responsibility is to develop a positive relationship of friendship. They provide support, resources, networking, and community connections for their assigned families.

    Mentors are not a means of financial support. Their goal is to help the mentee find the resources they need and ultimately gain stability and self-reliance.

    Mentors have been thoroughly vetted and screened by a background check, as well as an application process, training, and quarterly mentor meeting trainings. We select mentors of integrity, honesty, morality, and a commitment to principles that build healthy families.

    Mentors are not case workers. While they are motivated to help their mentee accomplish their goals and progress through their case plan, they are not advocates who can mediate before a case worker, supervisor, or judge. Those issues must remain with the stewardship of the case worker.

    Mentors have signed a confidentiality agreement with regards to information shared by the mentee or case worker. All will be kept confidential unless otherwise given permission by the mentee.

    Mentors are committed to the following boundaries in the relationship with their mentee:

    • Will not become overly involved in personal issues. 
    • Are required by law to report any illegal activity or issues relating to abuse.
    • Will not  become romantically involved with their mentee
    • Will not be alone with a member of the opposite sex. 
    • Will not be alone with children
    • Will not have overnight visits
    • Will not involve their mentee family in risky activities
    • Will avoid unwelcome physical contact, such as inappropriate touching, patting, pinching, punching, and physical assault. 
    • Will not participate in the use of smoking, drugs, alcohol, or any illegal substance