Learn how to navigate FOIA and Privacy Act requests with confidence—gain the skills to release public records responsibly while protecting sensitive personal and proprietary information. Ideal for federal employees handling disclosure decisions and public inquiries.
Overview
Syllabus
Module 1: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Understand the purpose, scope, and applicability of FOIA in federal agencies.
- Learn the procedures for submitting and processing FOIA requests.
- Identify the nine FOIA exemptions and three exclusions, and when they apply.
- Review timelines, appeal processes, and agency responsibilities for compliance.
Module 2: The Privacy Act
- Understand the objectives and scope of the Privacy Act in protecting personal information.
- Identify requirements for collecting, maintaining, and disclosing records in federal systems.
- Learn about system of records notices (SORNs) and how they support compliance.
- Review exemptions, individual rights, and agency obligations under the Act.
Taught by
Dan Kowalski, Judy Mintze, Natalya H. Bah, Richard Rodieck, Victoria Cox, Adrianna Harden, Sarah Gurwitz, Sineta Scott Robertson, DeShanta Hinton, and Caren Eirkson
