Policies
Notice of non-discrimination policy
It is the policy of Akin that no person shall be subject to discrimination by the Organization or through its Contractors on the basis of: race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, the presence of any physical, mental or sensory disability, genetic information; marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or immigration status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, political ideology, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.
In addition to the above characteristics, programs will not discriminate against clients in high-risk populations or whose conditions may require more costly treatment.
Akin provides equal employment opportunities to all staff members and applicants for employment without discrimination toward any of these characteristics. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, transfers, promotions, termination, layoff and recall, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Notice of consumer complaint and grievance policy
It is the policy of Akin to provide a fair, equitable and formal grievance procedure in the event a client believes that any of their rights have been violated and not adequately resolved at the initial levels of problem-solving or complaint processes. Client complaints and grievances are promptly heard, assessed, and resolved at the lowest level with the option to document it for higher management review.
Clients are informed of their rights including the right to file both complaints and grievances without fear of reprisal. Client rights and the complaint process are posted publicly along with information on the Ombuds serving the geographic vicinity.
Notice of online privacy policy
Updated: September 2016
Children’s Home Society of Washington (Akin) maintains strict privacy practices. To better protect your privacy, we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. No personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
INFORMATION AKIN COLLECTS
This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on Akin’s website. On some pages, you can make donations, sign up for the e-newsletter, or register to receive materials. The types of personal information collected at these pages are:
- Name
- Address
- E-mail Address
- Phone Number
- Credit/Debit Card Information
On some pages, you can submit information about other people. For example, you might make a donation in another’s name and enter their address, e-mail address, and other personal information. In this circumstance, the types of personal information collected might include:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- E-mail Address
COLLECTING YOUR INFORMATION ONLINE
When you make a donation online, sign up for the electronic Akin newsletter, send a comment via the information and contact request forms online, or register for an event on the web site, your name and contact information will be relayed to Akin. When you are engaged in a transaction, whether through event registration or an online donation the amount of your gift will also be relayed to Akin. Your contact information will enable Akin to acknowledge you/your donation directly. Additionally, you will be asked to enter your credit card information when making a transaction online.
Akin uses a third-party vendor to process credit card transactions. This information is transferred for processing purposes only. Any information collected by our credit card processor is used only for transactional and/or financial record-keeping purposes, or as required by law.
USING YOUR INFORMATION
Unless you opt out of receiving e-mail messages, Akin uses the e-mail address that you provide to send out periodic news regarding the organization. In an effort to provide the best, most relevant content to our audience, Akin may at times ask for input on how to better serve supporters.
When you make a donation or sign up for the e-newsletter, you may elect to receive communications from reputable partners serving a similar mission. If you choose to receive such communications, Akin may share your information with other nonprofit organizations.
Akin may disclose information we collect from you if we have a good faith belief that access, use, preservation, or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to (a) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request, or (b) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues, or (c) protect against harm to the rights, property or safety of Akin, its employees or the public as required or permitted by law.
Akin may also collect and store aggregate (non-identifying) or anonymous information about user contact, site use, website traffic patterns, and related site information to assists us in improving outreach efforts, and improve our website design. Akin may share this knowledge with site advertisers, and reputable partners serving a similar mission. This information does not identify you individually.
Except as provided in this policy, Akin will not disclose information we collect from you to any third party, including other nonprofit organizations, unless you specifically request that we share your information with a third party.
WHO HAS ACCESS
Only Akin staff who are responsible for administering our website have access to personally identifiable information collected about you. This group will not share personally identifiable information about you with anyone else without your permission.
DATA SECURITY COMMITMENT
Akin puts the highest priority on the security of your information. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and help ensure the correct use of information, Akin has established appropriate and reasonable security procedures (physical, electronic and administrative) to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
UPDATING YOUR INFORMATION OR OPTING OUT
To correct factual errors in your personally identifiable information, contact Akin at 1-800-456-3339 or via our online contact form.
If you do not wish to be contacted after submitting any online personal information, you may opt out at the bottom of any e-mail communication you receive. To do this, select the “unsubscribe” option included at the bottom of a recent e-mail. You may also ask us to remove you from our mailing list and cease further contact from us at any time by sending a request through our online form. If you submit a donation and then choose to opt out, you will still receive an acknowledgement of your gift, and your gift will remain tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
CHANGES TO PRIVACY POLICY
Akin may change this policy at any time without prior notice. If we change this policy, we will post those changes on this page, so that you will always know what type of personally identifiable information is collected and used. Akin will not reduce your rights under this policy without your explicit consent. Any continued use of our website following the posting of changes implies agreement to the terms of our policy.
Notice of privacy practices
Effective January 2024
Review full documentation here: Akin Privacy Practices
Notice of no surprises act
As of January 1, 2022, families served by CHSW have new billing protections when getting emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. Through new rules aimed to protect consumers, excessive out-of-pocket costs are restricted, and emergency services must continue to be covered without any prior authorization, and regardless of whether or not a provider or facility is in-network. Learn more: https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Notice of payment for services
Akin will not deny services due to inability to pay and discounts are available based on family size and income.
Our code of ethics commitment.
Akin is an organization with strong values of responsibility and integrity. Our Code of Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics.
Akin is committed to an environment where open, honest communications are the expectation, not the exception. We want you to feel comfortable in approaching us in instances where you believe violations of policies or standards have occurred.