Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Last Updated: February 22, 2026
SMHW Rehab - Addiction Treatment, Serenity Mental Health & Wellness Helpline ("SMHW Rehab," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (smhw.org) or interact with our treatment center located at 116 W Main St, Turlock, CA 95380.
1. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Name, phone number, and email address when you contact us
- Insurance information for verification purposes
- Medical and behavioral health history during the admissions process
- Emergency contact information
- Any other information you voluntarily provide via phone, email, or in person
Information Collected Automatically
- IP address, browser type, and operating system
- Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns
- Referring website or search terms used
- Device information and screen resolution
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your inquiries and provide information about our treatment programs
- Process admissions and verify insurance coverage
- Provide addiction treatment and clinical care at our Turlock facility
- Communicate with you about appointments, treatment, and aftercare
- Improve our website, programs, and patient experience
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
3. HIPAA Compliance & Protected Health Information
SMHW Rehab complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 42 CFR Part 2, which provide additional protections for substance use disorder treatment records. Your Protected Health Information (PHI) is handled with the highest level of confidentiality.
- PHI is never sold to third parties under any circumstances
- PHI is only shared with your written consent, except as required by law
- Treatment records related to substance use disorder receive additional federal confidentiality protections under 42 CFR Part 2
- Electronic PHI is protected with encryption, access controls, and audit logging
4. Information Sharing & Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information only in the following circumstances:
- With your consent: When you authorize us to share information with family members, other providers, or insurance companies
- For treatment purposes: With healthcare providers involved in your care, with your authorization
- For payment: With insurance companies to process claims and verify coverage
- Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of patients and staff
- Service providers: With trusted vendors who assist in website hosting and analytics, bound by confidentiality agreements
5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Remember your preferences and improve site functionality
- Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
- Measure the effectiveness of our outreach efforts
You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may affect certain website features.
6. Your Rights
Under applicable laws, including HIPAA and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have the right to:
- Access your personal and health information held by SMHW Rehab
- Request corrections to inaccurate information in your records
- Request deletion of personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Receive a copy of your treatment records
- Request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated
7. Data Security
We implement appropriate physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your information, including:
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted through our website
- Access controls limiting staff access to patient information on a need-to-know basis
- Regular security assessments and staff privacy training
- Secure storage of physical records at our Turlock facility
8. Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors without parental consent.
9. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. SMHW Rehab is not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
10. Changes to This Policy
SMHW Rehab reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
11. Contact Us About Privacy
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or need to report a privacy concern, please contact us:
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.