Appendix A – Information Sharing

There are many different types of activities that may be used to address priority risks in each of the four planning areas. Collaborative, multi-sectoral risk intervention models, such as Situation Tables, are one example of initiatives that are widely used across the province in risk intervention. They involve multi-sector service providers assisting individuals, families, groups and places facing acutely elevated risk of harm by connecting them to resources in the community within 24 to 48 hours. As information sharing has been identified by many communities as a barrier to the success of these models, this section was developed to provide guidance. In addition to the information sharing guidance below, the Risk-driven Tracking Database is another tool available to support communities implementing their multi-sectoral risk intervention models (see Tool 5 – Analyzing Community Risks).

While the following speaks specifically to multi-sectoral risk intervention models, the importance of sharing While information in each of the four planning areas cannot be understated. In order for planning to be effective, multi-sector agencies and organizations must work together, including sharing information in social planning and performance data between sectors, in prevention on aggregate data development on long-term and trends to inform priority risks, in risk intervention on risks facing individuals, families, groups and places and in incident response on a situation at hand.

Guidance on Information Sharing in Multi-Sectoral Risk Intervention Models

Please note that not all aspects of the information sharing principles and Four Filter Approach outlined below are prescribed in legislation and many may not be mandatory for your specific agency or organization. Together, they form a framework intended to guide professionals (e.g., police officers, educators from the school boards, mental health service providers, etc.) that are engaged in multi-sectoral risk intervention models (e.g., Situation Tables) that involve sharing information.

The sharing of personal information and personal health information (“personal information”) requires compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and/or other pieces of legislation by which professionals are bound (e.g., the Youth Criminal Justice Act). With that, before engaging in a multi-sectoral risk intervention model, all professionals should familiarize themselves with the applicable legislation, non-disclosure and information sharing agreements and professional codes of conduct or policies that apply to their respective agency or organization.

Considerations should also be made for undergoing a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and entering into a confidentiality agreement. Conducting a PIA and entering into information sharing agreements is recommended to ensure that adequate standards for the protection of personal information are followed.

For information on PIAs, refer to the “Planning for Success: Privacy Impact Assessment Guide” and “Privacy Impact Assessment Guidelines for the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act” which are available on the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario website.