eiFamilies Website Privacy Policy

Introduction

Thank you for visiting the eiFamilies website. The eiFamilies Website is a project of the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project at the Just Kids Foundation, and is funded by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention.  We recognizes that it is critical for families to be confident that their privacy is protected when they visit the eiFamilies' website and related social media sites. 

Consistent with the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Law, and the Personal Privacy Protection Law, this policy describes the eiFamilies' privacy practices regarding information collected from families or users of this website. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used. Because this privacy policy only applies to this website, you should examine the privacy policy of any website that you access using this website.

For purposes of this policy, "personal information" means any information concerning a natural person which, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or other identifier, can be used to identify that natural person.  eiFamilies does not collect any personal information about you through this website unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an email, responding to a survey, posting a story or testimonial, or completing an application.

Information Collected Automatically When You Visit this Website

When visiting this website the eiFamilies automatically collects and stores the following information about your visit:

• (i) User client hostname. The hostname or Internet Protocol address of the user requesting access to a state agency website.
• (ii) HTTP header, "user agent." The user agent information includes the type of browser, its version, and the operating system on which that the browser is running.
• (iii) HTTP header, "referrer." The referrer specifies the web page from which the user accessed the current web page.
• (iv) System date. The date and time of the user's request.
• (v) Full request. The exact request the user made.
• (vi) Status. The status code the server returned to the user.
• (vii) Content length. The content length, in bytes, of any document sent to theuser.
• (viii) Method. The request method used.
• (ix) Universal Resource Identifier (URI). The location of a resource on the server.
• (x) Query string of the URI. Anything after the question mark in a URI.
• (xi) Protocol. The transport protocol and the version used.

None of the foregoing information is deemed to constitute personal information.

The information that is collected automatically is used to improve this website's content.  It also helps eiFamilies understand how users interact with the website. This information is collected for statistical analysis, to find out what information is of most and least interest to our users.  In addition, it assists us to improve the usefulness of the material on the website. The information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes. eiFamilies is not authorized to sell or otherwise make known the information collected from the website for commercial marketing purposes.

Cookies

Cookies are simple text files stored on your web browser.  Cookies provide a way of distinguishing among users of this website. The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet websites. Sometimes, "session cookies" are used to enhance or customize your visit to this website. Session cookies can be created automatically on the device you use to access this website. They do not contain personal information and do not threaten your privacy or security. The cookie feature may also be used to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the device you use to access this website. A session cookie is erased during operation of your browser or when your browser is closed.

The software and hardware you use to access the website allows you to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of this website.

Information Collected When You E-mail this Website or Complete a Transaction

During your visit to this website you may send an e-mail to eiFamilies. Your e-mail address and the contents of your message will be collected. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats included in your message. Your e-mail address and the information included in your message will be used to:

• respond to you;

• address issues you identify;

• improve this website;

• or to forward your message to the New York State Department of Health for appropriate action.

Your e-mail address is not collected for commercial purposes.  eiFamilies is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose your e-mail address for commercial purposes.

During your visit to this website you may complete a transaction such as a survey, poll, sharing your story, and/or filling out a registration form. The information, including personal information, volunteered by you in completing the transaction is used by the eiFamilies to operate Family Initiatives Services Coordination Project activities. These activities include the provision of training, services, and information. The information collected by eiFamilies may also be disclosed by eiFamilies for those purposes that may be reasonably ascertained from the nature and terms of the transaction in which the information was submitted.

eiFamilies does not knowingly collect personal information from children or create profiles of children through this website. Users are cautioned, however, that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail will be treated as though it was submitted by an adult, and may, unless exempted from access by federal or State law, be subject to public access. eiFamilies strongly encourages parents and teachers to be involved in children's Internet activities and to provide guidance whenever children are asked to provide personal information on-line.

Information and Choice

As noted above, eiFamilies does not collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, responding to a survey, or completing an on-line form. You may choose not to send us an e-mail, respond to a survey, or complete an on-line form. While your choice not to participate in these activities may limit your ability to receive specific services or information through this website, it will not normally have an impact on your ability to take advantage of other features of the website, including browsing or downloading information.

Disclosure of Information Collected Through This Website

The collection of information through this website and the disclosure of that information are subject to the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act. Except as provided below or as otherwise authorized by law, eiFamilies will only collect personal information through this website or disclose personal information collected through this website if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information. The voluntary disclosure of personal information to eiFamilies by the user, whether solicited or unsolicited, constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by eiFamilies for the purposes for which the user disclosed the information to the eiFamilies, as was reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the disclosure.

However, eiFamilies may collect or disclose personal information without consent if the collection or disclosure is: (1) authorized by state or federal statute or regulation; (2) made pursuant to a court order or by law; (3) for the purpose of validating the identity of the user; or (4) of information to be used solely for statistical purposes that is in a form that cannot be used to identify any particular person.

Further, the disclosure of information, including personal information, collected through this website is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law.

eiFamilies may also disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce its rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to the eiFamilies' information technology assets.

Retention of Information Collected Through this Website

The information collected through this website is retained by eiFamilies in accordance with the records retention and disposition requirements of the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention.

Access to and Correction of Personal Information Collected Through this Website

Except as otherwise provided by law, any user may submit a request to Family Initiative Coordination Services Project Coordinator (who will act as the privacy compliance officer for this website) to determine whether personal information pertaining to that user has been collected through this website. Any such request shall be made in writing and must be accompanied by reasonable proof of identity of the user. Reasonable proof of identity may include verification of a signature, inclusion of an identifier generally known only to the user, or similar appropriate identification. The address of the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project:

eiFamilies Website
c/o Family Initiative Coordination Services Project
Just Kids Foundation
PO Box 12, Longwood Rd
Middle Island, NY 11953
Phone: (877) 205-0502 (toll-free)

Except as otherwise provided by law, the privacy compliance officer shall, within ten (10) business days of the receipt of a proper request, provide access to the personal information; deny access in writing, explaining the reasons therefore; or acknowledge the receipt of the request in writing, stating the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied, which date shall not be more than thirty (30) days from the date of the acknowledgment.

In the event that eiFamilies has collected personal information pertaining to a user through the website and that information is to be provided to the user pursuant to the user's request, the privacy compliance officer shall inform the user of his or her right to request that the personal information be amended or corrected, except as otherwise provided by law.

Confidentiality and Integrity of Personal Information Collected Through this Website

eiFamilies is strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this website against unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Consequently eiFamilies limits access to personal information collected through this website to only those individuals who need access to the information in the performance of their duties. Individuals who have access to this information follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.

In addition, eiFamilies has implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of this website as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

For website security purposes and to maintain the availability of the website for all users, eiFamilies employs software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this website.

General Disclaimer

The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided through this website.

Links Disclaimer

In order to provide users with certain information, this website may provide links to local, State and federal government agencies, and websites of other organizations. A link does not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of that website. Once you link to another website from this website, including one maintained by the state, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website, including but not limited to its privacy policy.

Information Disclaimer

Information provided on this website is intended to allow the public immediate access to public information. While all attempts are made to provide accurate, current, and reliable information, the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project recognizes the possibility of human and/or mechanical error. Therefore, the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of the information provided by this website, and deny any expressed or implied warranty as to the same.

Contact Information

For questions regarding this Internet privacy policy, please contact:

Angela Furci
Family Initiative Coordination Services Project
eiFamilies Website
Just Kids Foundation
PO Box 12
Middle Island, NY 11953
Phone: (877) 205-0502 (toll-free)
[email protected]