PRIVACY POLICY

Forward Family Services

Effective Date: Jan 1, 2026

Forward Family Services ("Forward," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals and families we serve, our website visitors, and those who communicate with our organization.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose personal information obtained through our website, www.fwdfam.com, and our general business communications, including text messaging.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING TEXT MESSAGING PRIVACY

Forward Family Services does not sell, rent, or share mobile phone numbers, SMS opt-in information, or text messaging consent records with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

Mobile information and text messaging consent data are used only for authorized communications and related service operations. Information may be provided to messaging platforms and service providers solely as necessary to deliver and support our communications.

All text messaging originator opt-in data and consent records are excluded from other information-sharing arrangements, except those necessary to provide messaging services or comply with applicable law.

1. Information We Collect

Forward Family Services may collect information that you voluntarily provide or that is automatically collected when you interact with our website or services.

Personal Information

Name, email address, telephone number, and mailing address
Information submitted through website contact forms or other inquiries
Appointment requests and service-related communications
Information necessary to coordinate services, eligibility, or insurance-related inquiries
Communication preferences, including SMS and email consent records
Other information voluntarily provided when contacting our organization

Website and Technical Information

IP address and approximate location derived from IP information
Browser type, device type, and operating system
Website usage information and page interactions
Cookies and similar technologies, where used

Client and Healthcare Information

In connection with providing services, Forward Family Services may collect and maintain confidential healthcare, clinical, insurance, and treatment-related information.

Protected health information is handled in accordance with applicable federal and California privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), where applicable.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for legitimate business and service-related purposes, including:

Responding to inquiries and requests for information
Coordinating appointments, evaluations, and services
Communicating with clients, families, caregivers, and authorized representatives
Providing Applied Behavior Analysis, mental health, and related services
Performing administrative, billing, and insurance-related functions
Sending authorized appointment reminders, scheduling notifications, and service updates
Maintaining communication preferences and consent records
Improving website functionality and organizational operations
Protecting the security of our systems and information
Complying with applicable legal and regulatory obligations

We do not use protected health information for unrelated marketing purposes without appropriate authorization when required by law.

3. SMS Messaging and Communication Consent

Forward Family Services may offer text messaging to communicate with individuals who have provided appropriate consent.

Types of Messages

Depending on the communication program, messages may include:

Appointment confirmations and reminders
Scheduling changes and availability updates
General service-related notifications
Responses to inquiries
Administrative reminders and important organizational updates

Consent and Opt-In

Individuals who enroll in an SMS messaging program consent to receive messages from Forward Family Services consistent with the consent provided.

Providing a phone number through our website does not, by itself, constitute consent to receive recurring or promotional text messages.

Where required, Forward Family Services obtains appropriate consent before initiating SMS communications and maintains relevant consent records.

Opt-Out Instructions

You may opt out of an automated SMS messaging program at any time by replying STOP to a message from that program.

Following an opt-out request, you may receive a final confirmation message. Additional messages from that program will not be sent unless you provide new consent or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies depending on your appointments, services, and interactions with our organization.

Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply according to your wireless carrier and service plan.

Help and Support

For assistance, reply HELP to a message from a supported SMS program or contact Forward Family Services:

Phone: 559-575-8172

Email: info@fwdfam.com

Carrier Disclaimer

Wireless carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages. Message delivery is subject to carrier availability and network conditions.

SMS Privacy and Data Protection

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent records will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for their independent marketing purposes.

Information may be disclosed to service providers supporting our messaging operations only as reasonably necessary to provide those services and subject to applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Healthcare Communication Considerations

Text messaging is not always a secure method of transmitting sensitive healthcare information. Forward Family Services takes reasonable precautions to protect confidentiality and may use alternative communication methods when appropriate.

Individuals should avoid sending sensitive medical or clinical information through standard text messaging unless specifically instructed to use an approved communication method.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Forward Family Services does not sell or rent personal information to third parties.

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary for legitimate service operations or when required or permitted by applicable law.

Authorized Service Providers

We may use third-party vendors to support website hosting, communications, appointment scheduling, information technology, and other operational functions.

These providers are permitted to access information only as necessary to perform their authorized services, subject to applicable contractual and legal safeguards.

Healthcare Operations

Information may be shared with authorized healthcare professionals, insurance carriers, service providers, and other appropriate parties for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or other legally permitted purposes.

Protected health information is subject to applicable HIPAA requirements and other relevant privacy laws.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required or permitted by applicable laws, regulations, subpoenas, court orders, or other lawful processes.

Organizational Transactions

Information may be transferred in connection with a lawful merger, acquisition, restructuring, or transfer of business operations, subject to applicable confidentiality and privacy obligations.

SMS Data Exclusion

No mobile information, SMS opt-in records, or consent data will be disclosed to third parties or affiliates for independent marketing or promotional purposes.

5. Data Security

Forward Family Services maintains reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards intended to protect personal and confidential information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

These safeguards may include:

Access restrictions based on authorized responsibilities
Password protection and authentication controls
Secure information storage and transmission practices
Employee confidentiality and privacy training
Administrative procedures for handling sensitive information
Security monitoring and system maintenance
Incident response and notification procedures where required by law

While we take reasonable precautions to protect information, no internet-based transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

6. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, understand website traffic, and improve the visitor experience.

These technologies may collect technical information about devices, browsers, and website interactions.

Visitors may manage or disable cookies through their browser settings. Certain website features may not function as intended when cookies are disabled.

We seek to handle website information in accordance with applicable privacy and healthcare confidentiality requirements.

7. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

Depending on the type of information involved and applicable law, you may have the right to:

Request access to certain personal information maintained about you
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of eligible personal information, subject to legal and record-retention requirements
Request information about how your information is used or disclosed
Withdraw consent for optional communications
Opt out of SMS messaging by replying STOP
Unsubscribe from promotional emails, if applicable
Exercise applicable rights concerning protected health information

Certain records, including healthcare records, may be subject to mandatory retention requirements or other legal restrictions.

Forward Family Services will evaluate privacy requests in accordance with applicable laws and may need to verify your identity or legal authority before responding.

To make a privacy-related request, contact us using the information in Section 11.

8. Protected Health Information and HIPAA

Forward Family Services recognizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of healthcare information associated with ABA, mental health, and related services.

Where HIPAA applies, protected health information is governed by HIPAA requirements and our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which provides additional information regarding permissible uses and disclosures of healthcare information, individual rights, and our responsibilities as a healthcare provider.

This website Privacy Policy does not replace our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices or any separate authorization required by law.

Individuals may contact Forward Family Services to request additional information regarding our healthcare privacy practices or to obtain a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices.

9. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, platforms, or external resources.

Forward Family Services is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of independently operated third-party websites.

We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of external websites before providing personal information.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Forward Family Services may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our business practices, website functionality, communications, or applicable legal requirements.

Updates will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.

Where required by applicable law, we will provide additional notice of material changes.

11. Contact Information

For questions, privacy requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information, please contact:

Forward Family Services

Clovis Location

2261 Villa Ave

Clovis, CA 93612

Fresno Location

6622 N Maroa Ave

Fresno, CA 93704

Phone: 559-575-8172

Fax: 559-575-8176

Email: info@fwdfam.com

Website: www.fwdfam.com

We are committed to responding to privacy-related inquiries in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Forward Family Services

Protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and trust of the individuals and families we serve.