This tells you about your rights under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act ("the Act"). This Act protects your privacy, but also lets us give information about you to others if a law requires it AND we tell you before we do it. The information below tells why and when we will ask for and give information about you.
What kind of information do we collect?
Generally, we only ask for two types of information from you - public information and private information. Public information is information about you that is available to anyone. Private Information is information about you that can be shared only if you give us your permission or if a law allows or requires us to share the information. We use summary information for reports that does not identify you or anyone else by name or other identifying information.
Why do we ask you for this information?
We may ask you for information so we can:
• Tell you from other persons by the same or similar name
• Decide if you can receive services from us and what or how much you can get
• Help you get financial or social services from other agencies
• Make reports, do research, audits, and evaluate our programs
• Collect money from government for help we give you
Do you have to answer the questions we ask?
What will happen if you do not answer the questions we ask?
Generally, you do not have to give us information. However, if you do not give us the information, we may not be able to determine whether we can help you or get help for you from other agencies.
Whom shall we share the information about you?
We may give information about you to the following agencies if they need it to help you or help us help you. This does not mean we always share the information about you with these people.
• MN Dept of Human Services (OHS)
• Dept of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)
• MN Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
• US Dept of Housing Urban Development (HUD)
• Clay or Douglas County HRA or local governments with whom we work with
• Anyone under contract with us or a government
agency to provide services
• Other government agencies who have or may provide you with help
• Members of agencies of a local collaborative
• Guardian, conservator or a person who has power of attorney for you
• Anyone else the law says we can give the information
You have the right to copies of information we have about you.
• You may ask if we have any information about you.
• If we have information about you, you may ask for copies.
• You may give other people permission to see and have copies of private data about you.
• If you do not understand the information, you may ask to have it explained to you.
How do you appeal if you think information is not accurate or complete?
Your objection must be in writing and sent to:
Missy Becker-Cook, Chief Executive Officer, 411 Industrial Park Blvd, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. You must tell us why the information is not accurate or complete. You may send your own
explanation of the facts you disagree with. Your explanation will be attached any time that information is shared with another agency. For more information on how to do this, ask the staff person working with you.
If you have any questions about the information on this form, ask the staff person who is working with you.
My signature below affirms the data in this application is correct. I understand that:
• I have read the Tennessen Warning above;
• I may appeal the agency decisions about my application;
• I may have to prove my statements; and
• I may be prosecuted if I knowingly provide false information.
