Focusing on What People Can Do
At Listening Ear, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and transparent environment for all our online visitors. We strive to balance your privacy and experience with the security and operational needs of our company. Our policies, including those regarding data privacy, access to our facilities, and expected conduct, are designed to ensure a positive and secure visit for everyone. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these guidelines, which are available below, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a welcoming and professional atmosphere.
Consumer Bill of Rights
Listening Ear consumers have the right to:
- informed consent and know the purpose, risks and benefits of service, the limits of service and choices regarding services;
- complain and have a means to do so;
- cultural sensitivity, religious freedom and the right not to be discriminated against;
- be treated with dignity and respect;
- be safe and free from exploitation;
- privacy and confidentiality;
- participate in the development of their plan and have a right to self determination;
- decline service;
- have access to one’s own case record;
- be served by competent professionals;
- integrity;
- have one’s own welfare put first;
- be told about any time delays, interruptions,
- changes or termination of services;
- be told about consumer rules, expectations and responsibilities;
- special accommodations, if needed;
- personal property;
- exercise constitutional rights including the right to vote;
- freedom of movement;
- services in a clean and safe environment;
- be paid for work performed other than personal housekeeping;
freedom of association, - visitors and communications.
All rights stated in the Adult Foster Care Small Group Home Rule 304 on Resident Rights, R400.14303
Website Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for Listening Ear
Effective Date: 08/14/2025
Last Updated: 08/14/2025
Listening Ear (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing human resource services. Your privacy is important to us, and this Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information. It also includes information regarding our text messaging (SMS/MMS) communications in compliance with 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) regulations and related requirements from mobile carriers and The Campaign Registry.
- Information We Collect
We collect personal information when you fill out forms on our website, contact us by phone, email, or SMS, or sign up to receive services or updates. This information may include your full name, phone number (including mobile), email address, physical address, as well as demographic and service-related data. We also collect communication-related information, such as records of text messages and email interactions, your communication preferences (opt-in/opt-out), and timestamps for consent. Additionally, technical information is collected automatically, including your IP address, browser data, and website usage statistics via cookies or analytics tools. - Use of Information
We use the information we collect to provide, coordinate, and manage human resource services, respond to inquiries, send SMS communications for service updates and appointment reminders, coordinate and confirm donations, improve our services and website, and maintain compliance with legal and industry standards. - Text Messaging (SMS/MMS) Program – 10DLC Compliance (Excluding Crisis Call Center Service)
Listening Ear uses 10DLC messaging through verified long codes to send secure, compliant SMS/MMS communications. You may receive text messages related to appointment confirmations and reminders, service coordination and case updates, emergency notifications, and general support or outreach. To receive these messages, you must provide express consent, which can be given by checking a consent box on our website, signing a paper or digital form, providing verbal consent (which is logged), or texting a keyword (such as “START”) in response to a prompt. Consent is recorded with the method, timestamp, and context. Message frequency may vary depending on your level of engagement, averaging 1–5 messages per week based on your service plan and interactions.
You may opt out of receiving messages at any time by replying “STOP.” Once opted out, you will no longer receive automated texts unless you choose to re-enroll. Standard message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier plan, and Listening Ear is not responsible for those charges. Messages are transmitted through secure, carrier-approved platforms. However, because SMS is not end-to-end encrypted, we advise against sending sensitive personal information via text.
- Text Messaging (SMS/MMS) Program – 10DLC Compliance for Crisis Call Center Services
When you opt in to our crisis text line by texting “ALWAYS” to (989) 772-2918, we collect only your phone number. Any other identifying information is shared voluntarily by you. This data is used solely during your active communication with us and strictly for the purpose of offering support and assistance. We store this information securely with encryption and protective protocols to prevent unauthorized access. Access to this data is restricted solely to the Crisis Center department and trained professionals to ensure your privacy is maintained.
We retain your messages for as long as you are opted in, allowing us to provide consistent and ongoing support. You can request deletion of your information at any time by contacting us, and we will promptly remove your data from our system. Your information is never shared with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes and is used exclusively for providing crisis support. To opt out and have your data deleted, reply “STOP” at any time.
- Sharing of Information
Listening Ear does not sell or rent your personal data. Information may be shared only with internal staff or volunteers involved in service delivery, third-party vendors (such as SMS platforms or appointment scheduling tools) operating under strict confidentiality agreements, or legal authorities when necessary for compliance with applicable laws. All vendors involved in SMS communications are vetted and registered to meet 10DLC and mobile carrier compliance standards. - Data Retention
We retain your information only for as long as necessary to provide services, ensure legal and regulatory compliance, and support quality improvement efforts. This includes maintaining consent records for audit purposes. - Cookies and Web Analytics
Our website uses cookies and analytics tools to understand user behavior, enhance performance, and provide an improved user experience. You may disable cookies or manage preferences through your browser settings. - Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal data, including the ability to access or correct your information, withdraw consent for communications (including SMS), request deletion of your data (unless subject to legal restrictions), and file a complaint with a relevant data protection authority. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided below. - Data Security
We implement reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your information. While no system is entirely secure, we use secure platforms for managing both data and messaging to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. - Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or to update your communication preferences, you may contact us:
By mail:
Attention Privacy Officer
Listening Ear
PO Box 800
Mt Pleasant MT 48804-0800
By email: privacy@listeningear.com
By telephone: 989-773-6904 ex 3227
- Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect updates to our practices or legal obligations. When changes occur, we will post the updated version on our website and revise the “Last Updated” date accordingly.
Our Privacy Commitment to You
We care about your privacy. The information we collect about you is private and is protected by two laws: the Michigan Mental Health Code and the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We are required to give you a notice of our privacy practices. Only people who have both the need and the legal right may see your information. Unless you give us permission in writing, we will only disclose your information for purpose of treatment, payment, business operations or when we are required by law to do so.
- Treatment: We may disclose health information about you to coordinate or provide your health care. For example, we may disclose medical information to doctors, nurses, case manager/support coordinators and other personnel who are involved in providing you treatment.
- Payment: We may use and disclose information so the services received from our agency can be properly billed and paid for.
- Business Operations: We may need to use and disclose information for our business operations. For example, we may use information to review the quality of care you get, or to conduct cost management and business planning activities for our Agency.
- To Business Associates: We may share your health information with “business associates” that perform services for us such as attorneys. The contracts we have with them identify terms that safeguard your health information.
- To Others Involved: in your Healthcare Unless you object, we may disclose to a family member, a relative, a close friend, or any other person that you identify, your health information that directly relates to that person’s involvement in our care or payment related to your care.
- To the Recipient: If a valid authorization is provided, we may use and disclose your health information to you, your guardian, the parent with legal custody of a minor recipient, or the court appointed personal representative or executor of the estate of a deceased recipient, unless in the written judgment of our agency the disclosure would be detrimental to the recipient or others.
- As Required by Law: We will release information when we are required by law to do so. For example, disclosure may be required by Workers” Compensation statutes or various public health statutes in connection with required reporting of certain diseases, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, adverse drug reactions, etc, or when asked to do so by a law enforcement official or government official.
- With your Permission: If you give us permission in writing, we may use and disclose your personal information. If you give us permission, you have the right to revoke it. This must be in writing too. We cannot take back any uses or disclosures already made with your permission.
Your Privacy Rights
You have the following rights regarding the health information that we have about you. Your requests must be made in writing to Privacy Officer, Crisis Center, Inc. d.b.a. Listening Ear Crisis Center at the address below.
- Your Right to Inspect and Copy
In most cases, you have the right to look at or get copies of your records. You may be charged a fee for the cost of copying your records. - Your Right to Amend
You may ask us to change your records. If you feel there is a mistake, you have the right to add a statement. We can deny your request for certain reasons, but we must give you a written reason for our denial. - Your Rights to an Accounting of Disclosure
- You have the right to ask for a list of disclosures made after April 14, 2003. This list will not include the times that information was disclosed for treatment, payment, or health care operations. The list will not include information provided directly to you or your family or information that was sent with your authorization. You may be charged a fee for the cost of copying.
- Your Right to Request Restrictions on Our Use or Disclosure of Information
- You have the right to ask for limits on how your information is used or disclosed. In some programs we are not required to agree to such request.
- Your Right to Request Confidential Communications
- You have the right to ask that we share information with you in a certain way or in a certain place.
For example, you may ask us to send information to your work address instead of your home address. You do not have to explain the basis for your request. We will attempt to honor your request.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to revise this notice. A revised notice will be effective for health information we already have about you as well as any information we may receive in the future. We are required by law to comply with whatever notice is currently in effect. Any changes to our notice will be available at our offices. You may call or stop by to receive a revised one.
Fundraising & Marketing
On occasion your name and address may be added to our marketing list to receive our newsletter and/or fundraising materials. Please write us if you wish to have your name removed from the list.
How to Use Your Rights
If you want to use your rights under this notice, you may call us or write to us. We can help you prepare your request if you wish.
Complaints to the Federal Government
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with the federal government. You may write to:
Office of Civil Rights
Dept. of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 866-627-7748
TTY: 886-788-4989
Email: ocrprivacy@hhs.gov
You will not be penalized for filing a complaint with the federal government.
Complaints and Communications to Us
If you want to exercise your rights under this notice or if you wish to communicate with us about privacy issues or if you wish to file a complaint, you may write to:
Send complaints and/or communications to:
Privacy Officer
Crisis Center, Inc., d.b.a
Listening Ear Crisis Center
107 E. Illinois Street
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone: 989-772-2918
contact@listeningear.com
You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
Copies of This Notice
You have the right to receive an additional copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. Please call or write to us to request a copy.
This notice is available in other languages and alternate formats that meet the guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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