Answer:
This is a very good and important question, so I’m cc’ing the other SCs.
You do need to make sure to renew the consent to release form within the 180 day period, even if you aren’t scheduled to meet with them for other purposes. The reason for this is that the “boiler plate” language in the Consent to Release also needs to be renewed. This is how the member gives consent to other SC team members, your supervisor, auditor and HUD to view their file. If you were to receive an audit from HUD without the updated Consent to Release in place, HUD would be unable to view the file and you would not pass your audit.
Thanks for being on top of this. I’m attaching the boiler plate consent as a refresher.
Sincerely,
Rachel
Question:
I have a question about updating consent to release forms every 180 days: For members who have consent forms that need to be updated, but are not monitored monthly, is it appropriate to wait until the next monitoring period to update these forms (as long as SCs are not contacting any entity on the member’s behalf that would need a signed consent form)?
Tag Archives | Consent to Release
180 Day Update of Consent to Release Forms
Recertification for Co-op Members
Simplification of the Certification/Recertification Process with Co-op members:
If a member (or prospective member) schedules an appointment with you for assistance with certification or recertification paperwork, please use the following procedures:
1. Give the member two options:
a. The member can contact the certification department directly and they will assist the member over the phone with the paperwork. The phone number will be on their document.
b. The member can contact the certification department with you on speaker phone from the SC office and they will assist the member and the SC with the paperwork over the phone.
2. If the member chooses to work with you, they must:
a. Become an active client (ie all Intake, Assessment, ISP, Confidentiality and Release forms must be completed).
b. Sign a Consent to Release form specifically permitting you to speak with the CSI Certification Department regarding their certification paperwork. This form must be time limited to 5 days.
c. The SC must fax the Consent to Release form to the CSI Certification Department prior to the phone call.
3. If the member has literacy challenges, the SC is permitted to assist with writing the information down on the certification forms during the phone call with the certification department.
4. The SC may not help the member obtain any of the information requested in the certification process.
5. The SC should be very clear with the member that CSI is the entity that determines eligibility and rental rates.
6. Until further notice, the CSI SCs can not contact the certification department to inquire when their co-op is due for recertification. Sharon is inquiring if this can be an option in the future because she recognizes that when recertification times come due at a co-op that it adds an extra work load for the SCs and that Anne Sackrison has let the members know that the SCs will be available to assist with the recertification process.
Thank you for your assistance.
CSI Consent to Release is Valid for 5 Days
Sharon and I spoke and we mutually agreed that SCs working with members on CSI related issues (such as certification) should ask the members to sign an AASC Online Consent to Release information to CSI for 5 days. This will allow sufficient time for a representative from CSI to return any calls that may have been placed with the member. SCs should fax, email or deliver a signed consent to release to the appropriate CSI staff person regardless of whether you will talk with them (ie if you are working with a member to complete CSI paperwork and there is no need to ask CSI any information, you should still do the Consent to Release). If the member has a later request to address CSI related issues with you, you will need to get an additional signed Consent to Release. This is a good way to ensure that the SC and CSI staff don’t enter into ongoing conversations regarding a member. Thanks all!