Legal
Terms of Service
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Velago platform (the “Platform”), operated by the Mental Health Initiative for South Asians (“MHISA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.
Overview of the Platform
Velago is a web-based platform designed to facilitate mental health screening, demographic data collection, and referral to culturally concordant mental health providers in school settings. The Platform is intended for use by authorized school social workers/counselors, mental health providers, and school administrators. Students and parents interact with the Platform indirectly (through screening administered by social workers and consent forms delivered via DocuSign).
Velago is not a medical device, diagnostic tool, or substitute for professional clinical judgment. The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening instruments administered through the Platform are standard clinical tools; their results are intended to support—not replace—the professional assessment of a qualified school social worker or mental health provider.
Eligibility and Account Access
2.1 Authorized Users
The Platform is available to the following authorized users:
- School Social Workers/Counselors: Authorized by their school administration to use the Platform for student screening and referral. Access is granted via school-specific login credentials.
- Mental Health Providers: Authorized by MHISA through a signed network agreement. Providers interact with the Platform primarily via secure email; an optional portal login may be available for high-volume providers.
- School Administrators: Authorized by MHISA to access aggregated, de-identified dashboard analytics.
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
2.2 Minors
The Platform collects information about minors (students in grades 6–12) only with verified parental/guardian consent obtained via DocuSign. Students do not create accounts or log into the Platform directly. All student data is entered by authorized school social workers.
Acceptable Use
You agree to use the Platform only for its intended purpose: facilitating mental health screening, demographic data collection, and referral to mental health providers within authorized school settings. You agree not to:
- Use the Platform for any purpose other than its intended clinical and administrative functions
- Access data about students, families, or providers that you are not authorized to view
- Share your login credentials with any unauthorized person
- Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform
- Use the Platform to transmit malware, viruses, or other harmful code
- Use the Platform in any way that violates applicable federal, state, or local laws, including HIPAA, FERPA, COPPA, and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
- Copy, reproduce, or distribute any content from the Platform without prior written consent from MHISA
Protected Health Information (PHI)
The Platform processes Protected Health Information as defined by HIPAA. All users who access PHI through the Platform must comply with applicable privacy and security requirements. School social workers and mental health providers are responsible for handling PHI in accordance with their professional obligations, institutional policies, and any applicable BAAs.
MHISA maintains HIPAA-compliant data storage and transmission practices as described in our Privacy Policy. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agree to our Privacy Policy.
Provider Network
5.1 Provider Obligations
Mental health providers who join the Velago network agree to:
- Respond to referrals within 48–72 hours of receipt (via email reply)
- Contact the referred student within the timeframe specified in the referral
- Report referral outcomes (acceptance, contact, appointment attendance) via email reply when prompted
- Offer sliding-scale pricing and agree to see a designated number of low-income students at reduced or no cost, as specified in their network agreement
- Maintain current and accurate profile information (specialties, insurance panels, availability, languages)
- Comply with all applicable professional licensing requirements, ethical standards, and privacy laws
5.2 Provider Matching
Velago uses a deterministic, rule-based matching algorithm to recommend providers based on student demographic data, preferences, insurance, language, location, and other factors. Match scores are advisory and are intended to assist—not replace—the social worker's professional judgment in selecting a provider. MHISA does not guarantee the quality, availability, or suitability of any provider in the network.
Disclaimers
No Medical Advice
The Platform facilitates screening and referral but does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening results (PHQ-9, GAD-7 scores) are intended for use by qualified professionals and should not be interpreted as a clinical diagnosis.
No Guarantee of Outcomes
MHISA does not guarantee that use of the Platform will result in any particular outcome, including successful referral, provider contact, or improvement in mental health symptoms. The Platform is a workflow tool; clinical outcomes depend on the actions of social workers, providers, students, and families.
As-Is Availability
The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. MHISA makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the Platform's reliability, accuracy, availability, or fitness for a particular purpose. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted or error-free.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, MHISA and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Platform, including but not limited to damages related to clinical outcomes, provider performance, data breaches, or system downtime.
MHISA's total aggregate liability for any claims arising out of or related to these Terms or the Platform shall not exceed the amount you paid to MHISA for use of the Platform in the 12 months preceding the claim, or $100, whichever is greater.
Intellectual Property
The Platform, including its design, code, algorithms, content, and documentation, is the property of MHISA and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Platform solely for its intended purpose during the term of your authorization. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works based on the Platform without prior written consent from MHISA.
Data Ownership
Student data entered into the Platform by school social workers remains subject to applicable privacy laws (HIPAA, FERPA). MHISA does not claim ownership of student PHI. De-identified, aggregated data derived from Platform usage may be used by MHISA for research, platform improvement, and reporting purposes, as described in the Privacy Policy and applicable consent forms.
Termination
MHISA may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause, upon notice. You may discontinue use of the Platform at any time. Upon termination, your right to access the Platform ceases immediately. Data retention following termination will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy, HIPAA requirements, and applicable law.
Modifications to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify users by posting the updated Terms on the Platform with a new effective date. Continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must discontinue use of the Platform.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Hartford County, Connecticut.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any applicable network agreements or BAAs, constitute the entire agreement between you and MHISA regarding the Platform and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.
Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, please contact: