Joseph DeSantis, CEO of Tri-Town Community Action Agency, spoke out this week about the agency’s confidentiality policies after a letter, written by Representative Deborah Fellela (D-Dist. 43) and printed in the Sun Rise, revealed private Tri-Town information. Namely, the letter said that a boiler was given by Tri-Town to Johnston resident and former Fellela opponent Annette Berarducci.

DeSantis’ original concern was that the information was obtained through Tri-Town offices but, after an investigation at the agency, DeSantis felt confident that the information did not come from Tri-Town.

“Breaching the policy would result in termination,” said DeSantis. “[Tri-Town] has a zero-tolerance policy for any breach [of confidentiality].”

The CEO went on to say he wants the organization’s clients to rest assured that all of their information would remain completely private. Tri-Town services run the gamut from a health care center and fuel assistance to GED programs and eldercare case management. He said the agency “goes to extremes to guard [information], even during initial interviews.”

In some cases, vehicles are not even identifiable as in service to Tri-Town. According to DeSantis, Tri-Town has recently received “millions of dollars in grants” toward community health and, as part of the grant parameters, must adhere to patient confidentiality laws like HIPA, as well as the federal and state laws relative to all programs.

“I have been here for 36 years, and there has never been a breach of confidentiality,” DeSantis said.

He did acknowledge that there is one instance where any information can be given: when the performance of specific duties requires it. For example, Tri-Town must often notify an oil company of where to deliver.

“Obviously, we have to tell the company who the client is,” said DeSantis.

In following with the confidentiality guidelines, DeSantis would not confirm or deny whether Fellela’s information was correct. Berarducci responded, however, saying that she had, in fact, received a boiler through Tri-Town. She said that without knowing her individual circumstances, it was no one’s place to question the transaction.

“If Tri-Town said I fit the criteria, who should say I don’t?” she asked.

Berarducci went on to say that while she was upset by the allegations, she was more disturbed that Fellela, her state representative, made the opinions public.

“How dare a state official disclose private information about a constituent who she is supposed to represent, whether she likes me or not,” said Berarducci.