116-4          RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY

It is important that DPADivision of Public Assistance and Native Organizations operating NFAPNative Family Assistance Programs establish and keep open lines of communication to maximize client service, administrative efficiency, and ensure timeliness and accuracy of eligibility and payment determinations. The NFAPNative Family Assistance Programs and DPADivision 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. DPADivision of Public Assistance staff do not need a signed release of information form before sharing information with NFAPNative Family Assistance Program employees about mutual clients and vice versa.

All NFAPNative Family Assistance Program employees have read-only access to the Department's EISEligibility Information System system, with the exception of Cook Inlet Tribal Council NFAPNative Family Assistance Program employees who have full access to EISEligibility Information System. Similar to the requirements and expectations of DPADivision of Public Assistance employees, all NFAPNative 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.