Legal Subcommittee Summary of Initial Conclusions

Scan of the Environment Goal Goal Obtain sense of where problems exist concerning access to information Obtain sense of where problems exist concerning access to information Subjects Subjects Agency leadership - Interviews Agency leadership - Interviews Staff - Survey Staff - Survey Qualitative Qualitative Not Scientific Not Scientific

Survey Methodology Organizations Surveyed Organizations Surveyed DCF-Parole; DCF SW-CP/FWSN; Probation; Detention; AG’s Office; PD’s Office; DOC; State’s Attorney’s Office; Yale-New Haven Hospital; Community Providers; Local BOEs DCF-Parole; DCF SW-CP/FWSN; Probation; Detention; AG’s Office; PD’s Office; DOC; State’s Attorney’s Office; Yale-New Haven Hospital; Community Providers; Local BOEs Positions Surveyed Positions Surveyed Supervisors, Workers, Attorneys, Counselors Supervisors, Workers, Attorneys, Counselors Questions Questions Structure of Information Sharing Structure of Information Sharing Views on Collaboration Views on Collaboration Legal Issues Impacting Coordination Legal Issues Impacting Coordination Over 40 Surveys Completed Over 40 Surveys Completed anticipate a total of anticipate a total of 50-60

Findings re: Access to Info Many do not know what the law requires Many do not know what the law requires Many are frustrated by inability to gain access to necessary information Many are frustrated by inability to gain access to necessary information Statutes with similar goals conflict/do not work/create problems Statutes with similar goals conflict/do not work/create problems Culture must change so legally permitted information provided when requested Culture must change so legally permitted information provided when requested Who has access is sometimes legitimate concern Who has access is sometimes legitimate concern

Thoughts of Committee Create a tool that identifies who has access to what information and under what circumstances Create a tool that identifies who has access to what information and under what circumstances Would form baseline of understanding statewide concerning confidentiality and access to information Would form baseline of understanding statewide concerning confidentiality and access to information Have key agency leadership endorse document Have key agency leadership endorse document

Thoughts of Committee Statutory changes may be necessary Statutory changes may be necessary Provide cross system/cross agency training on access to records Provide cross system/cross agency training on access to records Ensure all concerned understand the roles & responsibilities of individuals requesting information Ensure all concerned understand the roles & responsibilities of individuals requesting information Examine new legislation and its impact Examine new legislation and its impact