Our Mission
Multiple federal laws and regulations protect the privacy of information for people who receive health services related to mental health and/or substance use. These laws and regulations inform policy and practice related to protecting patient privacy and sharing patient information.
The Center of Excellence for Protected Health Information (also known as the CoE-PHI) is funded by SAMHSA to assist people and organizations in understanding and applying these federal health privacy laws and regulations — on the job, specific to their task or role — and to assist patients and families in knowing what their privacy rights are when seeking or receiving treatment for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
Approach
Designed to provide assistance and support to state and local public health authorities, healthcare teams, school professionals, patients, and their families, the CoE-PHI provides:
- Expert training provided virtually through national webinars and face-to-face (limited amount annually)
- Individualized Technical Assistance provided through remote virtual calls
- eLearning Modules
- Video-based learning
- Archived webinars
- Resources and tools that can be accessed 24/7 to help you confidently interpret and apply privacy regulations on the job and in practice
- Training resources to assist in training organizational staff
Resources, training, technical assistance, and any other information provided through the CoE-PHI do not constitute legal advice.
Team and Advisors
The CoE-PHI is administered by CAI Global and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). CoE-PHI brings together a team of nationally renowned legal subject matter expert health privacy attorneys with deep expertise in the federal privacy laws governing substance use and mental health treatment information. This expertise extends beyond federal law to encompass related regulatory frameworks and the nuanced, state-specific privacy considerations that often intersect with them.
Together, our team brings deep knowledge of health privacy law alongside real-world experience in behavioral health treatment service delivery, school-based health services, consumer and family engagement, workforce development, regulatory compliance, systems strengthening, and training and TA provision, allowing the CoE-PHI team to support the field with both legal precision and practical insight.
Jacqueline Seitz, JD
Senior Legal Advisor, Behavioral Health Privacy
Ashleigh Giovannini, J.D., LL.M., CIPP/US
Health Privacy Law Compliance Senior Associate
Meghan Mead, JD
Legal Subject Matter Expert
Michael Graziano, MPA, CPHQ, CIPP/US
Project Director
National Advisory Group
The CoE-PHI has convened a national advisory group, comprised of experts in the field and national associations that represent SUD and mental health program administrators, providers, and the patients and families they serve. The group makes sure that CoE-PHI activities are responsive to the needs of the field. Members act as advisors in the development of CoE-PHI training and technical assistance activities, resources and educational materials and promote broad awareness of CoE-PHI resources throughout their networks.
This website is supported by SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award with 100% funded by SAMHSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.