The Lowdown On Confidentiality at DCYHC

Confidentiality = Privacy

That means that when you come in for sexuality, mental health or substance abuse related issues and you’re in between 12 and 17, the folks here at DCYHC aren’t going to tell anyone (not even your parents) what you talk to us about.

If you want, you can sign a form that will give us permission to talk to your parents/guardians about it.  That’s the ONLY time we would ever talk to them about it.

You can talk to DCYHC nurses and doctors about the following things without us telling anyone:

• If you think you might be pregnant.
• Need birth control
• Think you have an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)
• Need info about alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use.
• Personal stuff like school, family, relationships, or feelings about sex and sexuality.

Wait, Seriously?

Yup.  It turns out that not only do we care enough about you that we wouldn’t share your info, BUT keeping your information private is a law in California.

Just keep in mind, in order to serve you the best we can, we might talk to other members of the DCYHC team about your health history.

BUT, unless you give us permission, your information will never leave DCYHC.

I still kinda don’t believe it.  There has to be a catch.

Well, technically there is.  Just like there are laws in place to protect you and make sure your practitioner keeps things confidential, there are certain times when the law also says DCYHC staff has to tell someone about the following things:

• You are being assaulted or abused, physically and/or sexually.
• You are going to hurt yourself or someone else.
• You are under 16 and having sex with someone 21 years or older.
• You are 13 or younger and having sex with someone 14 years or older.

Do I need a parent’s permission to come in?

No. But only if you’re coming in for the following services:

• Pregnancy testing
• Birth control
• Abortion*
• Prenatal care*
• Infectious diseases testing and treatment (including sexually transmitted infections and HIV)
• Mental health counseling for: substance abuse, sexual and/or physical assault and abuse, harm to self or others

If you are coming in for general medical and mental health care, and are under 18, then we will need parental consent.

*Please note that DCYHC does not offer these services, but will help you to access them if you need them.

We wish to thank the Adolescent Health Working Group for providing us with this information. For more information go to: www.ahwg.net.