Privacy Policy

Plain-Language Summary

Healing the Hero collects personal contact and background details (name, address, email, etc.) and any health/survey responses you provide (like PTSD symptom scores) when you sign up for programs or research. We use this information to serve you (provide coaching, process donations, report research outcomes) and to improve our offerings. We keep your data safe and only share it with trusted partners (e.g. payment processors, email services, analytics) to support our programs. We do not sell your data. You control your data: you can unsubscribe from emails, disable cookies, or request deletion.

Legal Version

Effective Date: [Date]. Data Controller: Healing the Hero USA, Inc., Winter Haven, FL.

  1. Data Collected:
    • Identifying & Contact Data: Name, email, phone, address, agency/employer, emergency contact (if any) from forms or account registration.
    • Demographics: Age, gender, race/ethnicity (for research analysis).
    • Health-Related Data: Responses to trauma/PTSD/anxiety questionnaires and participation status in protocols (entered via forms). Also any shared health information in communications (though we discourage sharing trauma details).
    • Donation/Payment Data: If you donate or pay for services, we collect transaction info. Payment details (card numbers) are handled by Stripe/PayPal directly.
    • Technical Data: IP address, device/browser type, site activity (via Google Analytics).
    • Cookies/Tracking: We use cookies to manage sessions and analytics, as described in our Cookie Notice.
    • Children: We assume users are 18+. If any minor data is incidentally collected, we will promptly delete it.
    1. Basis for Processing: We process personal data based on your consent (when you register or sign up), performance of a contract (donation or services agreement), and our legitimate interests (improving services, site analytics).
    2. Use of Data:
      • Program Delivery: To enroll you in our peer‑led healing sessions or research studies and to communicate about them.
      • Donations: To issue receipts and thank donors. Donor information may be used in aggregate for fundraising analytics.
      • Research and Reporting: Aggregate analysis of data for research (e.g. pre/post symptom scores) to improve our protocols and for academic/publication purposes (no identifying info published).
      • Communication: We may contact you about upcoming programs, results, or newsletters if you have opted in.
      • Website Functionality: Use technical data (cookies/analytics) to run and improve our website and to detect misuse.
      • Legal Compliance: We may use data to comply with laws, enforce terms, or protect rights.
      1. Sharing & Disclosure:
        • Service Providers: We share data with third-party services under contract (e.g. Google Analytics for site stats, Mailchimp for email newsletters, Zoom for virtual sessions, Stripe/PayPal for payments). Each provider’s use of data is governed by their own privacy policies; they are only given the data necessary to perform their function.
        • Nonprofit Reporting: We may share aggregated, non-identifiable data with research partners or funders.
        • Legal: We may disclose information to law enforcement or others as required by law or in response to valid legal requests.
        • With Consent: We may share data with others (e.g. spiritual counselors or partner agencies) only if you explicitly authorize it.
        1. Retention: Personal data is retained only as long as needed for the purposes above or as required by law (e.g. donation records for IRS purposes). Research data will be retained in de-identified form for future studies under IRB oversight, but any published results will be aggregate only.
        2. Security: Healing the Hero employs industry-standard safeguards (e.g. SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit, secure servers, strong access controls). We follow HHS/FTC guidelines to protect health information. In the unlikely event of a data breach involving your personal information, we will notify affected individuals and authorities per applicable breach laws.
        3. Your Rights: You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time. You may also disable cookies via your browser settings (see Cookie Notice). Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional rights (e.g. Florida’s right to know or delete).
        4. Cross-Border Transfers: If you use the site from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to servers in the U.S. by our providers. By using the site, you consent to this.
        5. Children’s Privacy: We do not knowingly collect information from persons under 18. If any such data is discovered, we will delete it.
        6. Contact: For privacy concerns or requests, please email info@healingthehero.org or write to Healing the Hero USA, Inc., 290 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Suite 11, Winter Haven, FL 33880.

        Note: As a registered 501(c)(3) charity, we also abide by donor privacy standards (we do not disclose donor information except as required by law).