116-4          RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY

It is important that DPA Division of Public Assistance and Native Organizations operating NFAPs establish and keep open lines of communication to maximize client service, administrative efficiency, and ensure timeliness and accuracy of eligibility and payment determinations.  The NFAPs and DPA Division of Public Assistance mutually agree to share information, work cooperatively and coordinate services to provide assistance, benefits, and services to eligible families and to promote self-sufficiency.   DPA Division of Public Assistance staff do not need a signed release of information form before sharing information with NFAP Native Family Assistance Program employees about mutual clients and vice versa.

All NFAP Native Family Assistance Program employees have read-only access to the Department’s EIS Eligibility Information System system, with the exception of Cook Inlet Tribal Council NFAP Native Family Assistance Program employees who have full access to EIS Eligibility Information System .  Similar to the requirements and expectations of DPA Division of Public Assistance employees, all NFAP Native Family Assistance Program employees sign a confidentiality statement and comply with the State of Alaska laws and regulations governing the confidentiality of public assistance records.  They are also subject to the penalties associated with misuse of those records.