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Terms and Conditions


IF THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR CRISIS SITUATION, DIAL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY

Sonoma County Department of Health Services

Terms of Use

Carefully read these terms and conditions of use ("Terms of Use") as they govern your access to and use of Sonoma County Department of Health Services’ ("Sonoma County," "we," "us," and "our") Platform. Your acceptance of, and compliance with, these Terms of Use is a condition to your use of the following:

  • ACCESS Sonoma County (our "Website");
  • SoCo Web App (our "App");
  • The services ("Services") made available through our Website and App.
  • Our Website and App are collectively referred to as our "Platform."

In this Terms of Use, the combined offerings of the notifications, events (calendar), and document storage services facilitated by Sonoma County through the use of our Platform are collectively referred to in this Terms of Use as the "Services."[1]

By clicking "Accept", you acknowledge that you have read in its entirety, understand, and fully accept all terms and conditions contained in these Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy,[2] and the Notice of Privacy Practices provided to you by Sonoma County. If you do not agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy, you are not authorized to access or use our Platform and/or the Services; PROMPTLY EXIT THIS WEBSITE.

1. Services Provided – No Medical Care or Advice

The Platform does not provide medical advice, care, and/or treatment. The Platform provides users with document management and secure document storage, court appointment tracking, an alert system, and event creation for organized planning. These integrated services are designed to empower users in the efficient management of their legal, professional, and medical affairs.

2. Document Storage

Our Platform offers document storage exclusively for Sonoma County services, educational services, job-life skills, work opportunities, and related purposes. By utilizing this feature, you agree to upload only documents relevant to these and related categories. Details regarding prohibited and restricted information are outlined in Section 7 of this Terms of Use. Sonoma County staff and your ACCESS care team will not have access to any files uploaded to the Documents component of the Platform. Capacity limits and time limits for storage will be set in the sole discretion of Sonoma County. We retain the right to terminate the storage solution at any time. In the event of termination, notification will be sent to the contact information provided within the Platform.[3]

3. Not For Emergencies

Our Platform and the Services are not for medical emergencies or urgent situations. You should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on anything that appears or does not appear on our Platform. If you believe you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

4. Privacy Practices

You agree that information provided by you in connection with the Platform and the Services shall be governed by the Privacy Policy,[4] which is hereby incorporated and made part of these Terms of Use. In the event of any conflicts, differences or discrepancies between (1) a Privacy Policy and (2) these Terms of Use, the Privacy Policy will apply and govern.

5. Ownership of the Platform

The Platform contains confidential and proprietary information, materials, data, databases, contents, processes, methodologies, know-how, software, text, displays, images, video, audio, trademarks, logos, service marks, features and functionality, and the design, selection and arrangement thereof, are owned by Sonoma County, its licensors or other providers of such material and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade dress, trade secret and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws (collectively, the "Content").

These Terms of Use permit you to use the Platform for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, republish, download, store or transmit any of the material on our Platform, including but not limited to Content, except: (a) your computer may temporarily store copies of such materials in RAM incidental to your accessing and viewing those materials; (b) you may store files that are automatically cached by your Web browser for display enhancement purposes; and (c) you may print or download one copy of a reasonable number of pages of the Platform for your own personal, non-commercial use and not for further reproduction, publication or distribution. You must not: (a) modify copies of any materials from the Platform or received through the Services; (b) use any illustrations, photographs, video or audio sequences or any graphics separately from the accompanying text; or (c) delete or alter any copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights notices from copies of materials from the Platform.

You may not frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose, or deep linking to, any name, trademarks, service marks, logo, content, or other proprietary information (including, without limitation, images, text, page layout, or form) of Sonoma County without our express written consent.

You must not access or use any part of the Platform or any services or materials available through the Platform for outsourcing for others or as part of a service bureau business so otherwise for the benefit of unaffiliated third parties who pay directly for its benefit or for other similar commercial purposes, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose without express written consent of Sonoma County.

If you print, copy, modify, download or otherwise use or provide any other person with access to any part of the Platform in breach of the Terms of Use, your right to use the Platform will cease immediately and you must, at our option, return or destroy any copies of the materials you have made. No right, title or interest in or to the Platform or any content on the Platform is transferred to you, and all rights not expressly granted are reserved by Sonoma County. Any use of the Platform not expressly permitted by these Terms of Use is a breach of these Terms of Use and may violate copyright, trademark and other laws.

6. Availability of Services

Sonoma County operates subject to state and federal regulations. You represent that you are not a person barred from enrolling for or receiving the Platform under the laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions in which you may be located. Access to and use of the Platform is limited exclusively to users located in Sonoma County. Services are not available to users located outside the United States. Accessing the Platform from jurisdictions where content is illegal, or where we do not offer the Platform, is prohibited.

7. Access to Platform, Security, and Restrictions; Passwords

You are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the Platform, including, without limitation, (a) accessing data not intended for such user or logging onto a server or an account which the user is not authorized to access; or (b) attempting to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of a system or network or to breach security or authentication measures without proper authorization; or (c) accessing or using the Platform or any portion thereof without authorization, in violation of these Terms of Use or in violation of applicable law.

You may not use any scraper, crawler, spider, robot or other automated means of any kind to access or copy data on the Platform, deep-link to any feature or content on the Platform, bypass our robot exclusion headers or other measures we may use to prevent or restrict access to the Platform.

Violations of system or network security may result in civil or criminal liability. Sonoma County will investigate occurrences that may involve such violations and may involve, and cooperate with, law enforcement authorities in prosecuting users who are involved in such violations. You agree not to use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working order or manner of the Platform or any activity being conducted on the Platform.

In the event access to the Platform or a portion thereof is limited requiring a user ID and password ("Protected Areas"), you agree to access Protected Areas using only your user ID and password as provided to you by us. You agree to protect the confidentiality of your user ID and password, and not to share or disclose your user ID or password to any third party. You agree that you are fully responsible for all activity occurring under your user ID. Your access to the Platform may be revoked by Sonoma County at any time with or without cause. You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Sonoma County harmless from and against all third party claims, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) against or incurred by arising out of your breach of these Terms of Use or violation of applicable law, your use or access of the Platform, or access by anyone accessing the Platform using your user ID and password.

If you submit, upload, post, or transmit any health information, medical history, conditions, problems, symptoms, personal information, consent forms, agreements, requests, comments, ideas, suggestions, information, files, videos, images, or other materials to us or our Platform ("User Information"), you agree not to provide any User Information that (a) is false, inaccurate, defamatory, abusive, libelous, unlawful, obscene, threatening, harassing, fraudulent, pornographic, or harmful, or that could encourage criminal or unethical behavior, (b) violates or infringes the privacy, copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secrets, or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, or (c) contains or transmits a virus or any other harmful component. You agree not to contact other Platform users through unsolicited e-mail, telephone calls, mailings, or any other method of communication. You represent and warrant to Sonoma County that you have the legal right and authorization to provide all User Information to Sonoma County for use as set forth herein and required by Sonoma County.

8. No Users Under 18 Years Old

In order to access the Platform and the Services, you represent and warrant that you are 18 years old or older. If you are under the age of 18, please do not attempt to register with us on the Platform or provide any personal information about yourself to us. If we learn that we have collected personal information from someone under the age of 18, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe we have collected personal information from someone under the age of 18, please Contact Us.

9. Your Account

You agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current, and complete information when registering to use the Platform and establishing your account ("Registration Information") and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Information to keep it true, accurate, current, and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current, or incomplete, or we have reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current, or incomplete, we may suspend or terminate your account. You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any passwords and any usage and activities that occur in connection with your account. You agree not to allow others to access your account or utilize your password.  Doing so will compromise the security of your account.

10. Accuracy and Integrity of Information

Although we attempt to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the Platform, we make no representations, warranties, or guarantees whatsoever as to the correctness or accuracy of the Platform and content thereon. It is possible that the Platform could include typographical errors, inaccuracies, or other errors, and that unauthorized additions, deletions, and alterations could be made to the Platform by third parties. In the event that an inaccuracy arises, please inform us so that it can be corrected. We reserve the right to unilaterally correct any inaccuracies on the Platform without notice. Information contained on the Platform may be changed or updated without notice. Additionally, Sonoma County shall have no responsibility or liability for information or Content posted to the Platform from any unaffiliated third party, including California courts.

11. Provision of Services Without Charge

The Platform shall be provided to you without any monetary charge. You acknowledge and agree that the Services are provided on a complimentary basis, and you shall not be required to make any payments for access to or use of the Platform.

By accessing or using the Platform, you expressly acknowledge and agree that the Platform is provided free of charge, and you shall not be entitled to any reimbursement, compensation, or damages for the use or non-use of the Platform, regardless of the circumstance.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the provision of free services within the Platform at our sole discretion. You acknowledge that Sonoma County shall not be liable to any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of free services.

12. Links to Other Sites

We make no representations whatsoever about any other website that you may access through the Platform. When you access a non-Sonoma County website, please understand that it is independent from us, and that we have no control over the content on that website. In addition, a link to a non-Sonoma County website does not mean that we endorse or accept any responsibility for the content, or the use, of the linked website. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use or download is free of such items as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other items of a destructive nature. If you decide to access any of the third party websites linked to the Platform, you do this entirely at your own risk.

13. Consent to Receive Calls, Text Messages, and Audio and or Video Recording

By providing your mobile number, you are agreeing to be contacted by or on behalf of Sonoma County at the mobile number you have provided, including calls and text messages, to receive informational or service related (e.g., news updates, reminders, etc.) messages and communications relating to the Platform. Message and data rates may apply. To stop receiving text messages text a reply to us with the word STOP. We may confirm your opt out by text message. If you subscribe to multiple types of text messages from us, we may unsubscribe you from the service that most recently sent you a message or respond to your STOP message by texting you a request to identify services you wish to stop. Please note, that by withdrawing your consent, some of the functions provided by the Platform, including court alerts, may no longer be available to you. Keep in mind that if you stop receiving text messages from us you may not receive important and helpful information and reminders about the Services.

14. Electronic Communications

When you use the Platform, or send e-mails, messages, and other communications from your desktop or mobile device to us, you are communicating with us electronically. You consent to receive communications from us electronically. You agree that (a) all agreements and consents can be signed electronically and (b) all notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such notices and other communications be in writing. Sonoma County may contact you by telephone, mail, or e-mail to verify your information. Sonoma County may request further information from you and you agree to provide such further information to ensure that you have not fraudulently used the Platform. If you do not provide this information in the manner requested within 14 days of the request, we reserve the right to suspend, discontinue, or deny your access to and use of our Platform until you provide the information to us as requested.

15. External Services

The Platform may enable access to outside services and websites that are not operated by Sonoma County, including services of the California courts (collectively and individually, "External Services"). You agree to use the External Services at your sole risk. We are not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy of any External Services and shall not be liable for any such External Services. Data displayed by the Platform from External Services, including but not limited to court appointments, is for general informational purposes only and is not guaranteed by Sonoma County or its agents. In cases where the Platform receives information from External Services, it is your responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of such information through the respective platforms of the External Services. You recognize and understand that any actions performed on our Platform will not alter information controlled and maintained by External Services. To the extent you choose to use such External Services, you are solely responsible for compliance with any applicable laws. We reserve the right to change, suspend, remove, disable or impose access restrictions or limits on any External Services at any time without notice or liability to you.

16. No Third Party Rights

Unless expressly stated in these Terms of Use, nothing herein is intended to confer any rights, obligations, duties, or remedies, on any person other than you and Sonoma County. Nothing in the Terms of Use is intended to relieve or discharge the obligation or liability of any third persons to you or Sonoma County, nor shall any provision give any third parties any right of subrogation or action over against you or Sonoma County. The Platform is only provided for your benefit and may not be relied on by any third party.

17. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Sonoma County and any affiliates harmless from and against any and all rights, demands, losses, liabilities, damages, claims, causes of action, actions, and suits (no matter whether at law or equity), fees, costs, and attorneys’ fees of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with: (i) your use or misuse of the Platform, Services, or any information posted on the Platform; (ii) your breach of the Terms of Use or Privacy Policy; (iii) the content or subject matter of any information you provide to Sonoma County or a Sonoma County representative; or (iv) any negligent or wrongful act or omission by you in your use or misuse of the Platform, Services, or any information on the Platform, including without limitation, infringement of third party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or negligent or wrongful conduct.

18. Disclaimer of Warranties

SONOMA COUNTY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE PLATFORM WILL BE CORRECTED. THE PLATFORM, INCLUDING ANY CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN IT OR ANY SERVICE RELATED TO THE PLATFORM, IS PROVIDED "AS IS," WITH ALL FAULTS, WITH NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, QUALITY OF INFORMATION, QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND TITLE/NON-INFRINGEMENT. SONOMA COUNTY DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR TIMELINESS OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE PLATFORM.

YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, PLATFORM-RELATED SERVICES, SERVICES, AND LINKED WEBSITES. SONOMA COUNTY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT FILES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD WILL BE FREE OF VIRUSES, WORMS, TROJAN HORSES, OR OTHER DESTRUCTIVE PROGRAMMING. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES SUFFICIENT TO SATISFY YOUR NEEDS FOR DATA BACK UP AND SECURITY.

19. Limitation of Liability Regarding Use of Platform and Services

SONOMA COUNTY AND ANY THIRD PARTIES MENTIONED ON THIS PLATFORM ARE NEITHER RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE PLATFORM, PLATFORM-RELATED SERVICES, SERVICE, CONTENT, OR INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THE PLATFORM, AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY AND WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PLATFORM, PLATFORM-RELATED SERVICES, SERVICES, AND/OR LINKED WEBSITES IS TO STOP USING THE PLATFORM AND/OR THOSE SERVICES.

20. Revisions; General

Sonoma County reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to all or part of the Platform, with or without cause, and with or without notice. In the event that any of the Terms of Use are held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provisions shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms of Use shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. These Terms of Use constitute the entire agreement between Sonoma County and you pertaining to the subject matter hereof. In its sole discretion, Sonoma County may from time-to-time revise these Terms of Use by updating this posting. You should, therefore, periodically visit this page to review the current Terms of Use, so you are aware of any such revisions to which you are bound. Your continued use of the Platform after revisions to these Terms of Use shall constitute your agreement to the revised Terms of Use. Certain provisions of these Terms of Use may be superseded by expressly designated legal notices or terms located on particular pages within the Platform.

21. Contact Us

Sonoma County Department of Health Services

For any questions related to the Platform, you may contact:
ACCESS-SoCo@sonoma-county.org

For any questions related to the Privacy Policy, you may contact:
ACCESS-SoCo@sonoma-county.org


[1] Comprehensive description of services can be found on the Sonoma County ACCESS website.

[2] Please refer to County's web user policy.

[3] Users will be granted a reasonable time to download their documents to their personal devices before the storage solution ends. Details about document storage and other services can be found on the ACCESS Sonoma County's website.

[4] For more details please refer to Privacy Policy.