Disclosures & Disclaimer

General Disclaimer

The information provided on Rooted In Rising is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the information up to date and accurate, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information, services, or related graphics contained on the platform for any purpose.

Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this platform.

Not Medical or Professional Advice

Medical Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: Rooted In Rising is not a medical platform and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. The lived experience practitioners listed in our directory are not necessarily licensed medical professionals, and their services should not be considered a substitute for professional medical care.

Professional Services Disclaimer

The practitioners listed on our platform offer lived experience support, peer guidance, and related services. These services are:

• Experiential in nature: Based on personal lived experience rather than formal training
• Supportive but not therapeutic: Not intended to replace licensed therapy or counseling
• Peer-to-peer: Offered by individuals with similar life experiences
• Complementary: May complement but should not replace professional medical or mental health care

Scope of Services

Lived experience practitioners may offer:

• Peer support and encouragement
• Sharing of personal experiences and insights
• Guidance based on their own journey
• Emotional support and understanding
• Resource sharing and community connection
• Advocacy and empowerment support

They do not provide:

• Medical diagnosis or treatment
• Licensed therapy or counseling
• Prescription medications or medical advice
• Crisis intervention services
• Emergency mental health support

Practitioner Vetting & Verification

Application Process

All practitioners listed on Rooted In Rising go through our application and review process, which includes:

• Application Review: Evaluation of submitted applications and supporting materials
• Background Verification: Basic verification of identity and background information
• Experience Validation: Review of lived experience credentials and story
• Reference Checks: Contact with provided references when applicable
• Community Guidelines Review: Ensuring understanding of platform standards

Ongoing Monitoring

We maintain quality standards through:

• User Feedback: Regular review of user ratings and feedback
• Profile Updates: Annual review and update of practitioner profiles
• Community Standards: Ongoing enforcement of platform guidelines
• Compliance Monitoring: Regular check-ins with active practitioners

Limitations of Verification

While we make reasonable efforts to verify practitioner information, please note:

• We cannot guarantee the accuracy of all self-reported information
• Lived experience is subjective and cannot be formally certified
• We rely on practitioners to update their information accurately
• Background checks may not reveal all relevant information
• Past performance does not guarantee future results

Platform Role & Responsibilities

We Are a Directory Service

Rooted In Rising operates as a directory platform that connects users with lived experience practitioners. Our role includes:

• Platform Maintenance: Providing and maintaining the technology platform
• Practitioner Listings: Displaying approved practitioner profiles
• Initial Vetting: Conducting basic verification of applicants
• Community Guidelines: Establishing and enforcing platform standards
• User Support: Providing customer service and technical support

We Are Not

• Service Providers: We do not provide the actual lived experience services
• Medical Professionals: We do not offer medical or therapeutic services
• Employment Agency: Practitioners are independent, not our employees
• Guarantors: We do not guarantee the quality or outcomes of services
• Mediators: We do not resolve disputes between users and practitioners

Third-Party Services

Our platform may include links to third-party websites, services, or resources. Please note:

• We do not control or endorse third-party content
• Third-party privacy policies and terms apply to their services
• We are not responsible for third-party actions or content
• Links do not imply partnership or endorsement

Financial Disclosures

Platform Revenue

Rooted In Rising generates revenue through:

• Practitioner Fees: Annual listing fees paid by practitioners
• Premium Features: Enhanced profile features and placement
• Partnership Fees: Referral fees from partner organizations
• Advertising: Relevant, community-focused advertising (when applicable)

No Service Commissions

Important clarifications about our business model:

• We do not take commissions from services provided by practitioners
• Practitioners set their own rates and payment terms
• All financial arrangements are between users and practitioners
• We do not process payments for services (unless specifically noted)

Affiliate Relationships

We may have affiliate relationships with organizations that:

• Provide relevant resources to our community
• Offer complementary services
• Support lived experience practitioners
• Align with our mission and values

When applicable, affiliate relationships are disclosed clearly to users.

Financial Assistance

Information about financial assistance programs:

• We may offer sliding scale fees for qualifying practitioners
• Some practitioners offer income-based pricing
• Financial assistance information is provided when available
• We do not guarantee availability of reduced-rate services

User Responsibilities

For Service Seekers

When using our platform to find practitioners, you are responsible for:

• Due Diligence: Researching practitioners before engaging services
• Clear Communication: Clearly communicating your needs and expectations
• Safety: Prioritizing your own safety and well-being
• Professional Care: Maintaining appropriate professional medical/mental health care
• Feedback: Providing honest feedback about your experiences
• Respect: Treating practitioners with respect and professionalism

For Practitioners

Practitioners listed on our platform are responsible for:

• Accurate Information: Providing truthful and current profile information
• Scope of Practice: Operating within appropriate scope of lived experience
• Professional Conduct: Maintaining appropriate boundaries and ethics
• Continuing Education: Staying informed about best practices
• Legal Compliance: Following all applicable laws and regulations
• Platform Guidelines: Adhering to our community standards

General User Obligations

All users must:

• Provide accurate account information
• Respect intellectual property rights
• Follow community guidelines and terms of service
• Report inappropriate behavior or content
• Respect privacy and confidentiality
• Use the platform for its intended purposes

Limitation of Liability

Platform Limitations

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Rooted In Rising and its operators, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

• Indirect Damages: Any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
• Service Outcomes: Results or outcomes of services provided by practitioners
• User Interactions: Disputes, conflicts, or issues between users and practitioners
• Third-Party Content: Content, actions, or services provided by third parties
• Technical Issues: Platform downtime, data loss, or technical malfunctions
• User Decisions: Choices made by users based on platform information

Maximum Liability

In no event shall our total liability to any user exceed the amount paid by that user to us in the twelve months preceding the claim, or $100, whichever is greater.

User Assumption of Risk

By using our platform, users acknowledge and accept that:

• Lived experience services carry inherent risks and uncertainties
• Individual results may vary significantly
• No guarantees are made about service outcomes
• Users participate at their own risk
• Professional medical care should be maintained

Intellectual Property

Platform Content

The Rooted In Rising platform, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, software, and design, is owned by us or our licensors and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

User-Generated Content

When users submit content to our platform:

• Ownership: Users retain ownership of their original content
• License Grant: Users grant us a license to display and distribute content on the platform
• Responsibility: Users are responsible for ensuring they have rights to submitted content
• Removal: We may remove content that violates guidelines or legal requirements

Practitioner Content

Practitioners retain ownership of their profiles, bios, and original content, while granting permission for platform display and promotion.

Prohibited Uses

Users may not:

• Copy, modify, or redistribute platform content without permission
• Use our trademarks or branding without authorization
• Create derivative works based on platform content
• Use automated tools to scrape or harvest platform data
• Reverse engineer platform functionality

Data Accuracy & Updates

Information Currency

While we strive to maintain current and accurate information:

• User Responsibility: Users should verify information before making decisions
• Regular Updates: We encourage practitioners to update profiles regularly
• No Guarantees: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information
• Reporting Issues: Users should report inaccurate information

Profile Information

Practitioner profiles may include:

• Self-reported experience and background
• Services offered and specializations
• Contact information and availability
• Rates and payment information
• User reviews and ratings

Users should verify important details directly with practitioners.

Platform Updates

We reserve the right to:

• Update platform features and functionality
• Modify information display and organization
• Implement new verification processes
• Change policies and procedures with notice

Regulatory Compliance

Healthcare Regulations

Our platform operates in compliance with applicable healthcare and privacy regulations:

• HIPAA: We do not store or transmit protected health information
• State Regulations: Practitioners must comply with local licensing requirements
• FTC Guidelines: We follow advertising and marketing guidelines
• ADA Compliance: We strive to maintain accessible platform features

Geographic Limitations

Platform availability and practitioner services may be limited by:

• State and local licensing requirements
• Geographic service areas
• Legal and regulatory restrictions
• Technology and language limitations

International Users

For users outside the United States:

• Local laws and regulations may apply
• Service availability may be limited
• Currency and payment options may vary
• Time zone differences may affect support

Modifications & Updates

Policy Changes

We may update these disclosures and disclaimers to reflect:

• Changes in legal requirements
• Platform feature updates
• Industry best practices
• User feedback and needs

Notification Process

When we make significant changes:

• Advance Notice: Users will be notified before changes take effect
• Update Date: The "Last Updated" date will reflect recent changes
• Email Notification: Registered users may receive email updates
• Platform Notice: Important changes will be highlighted on the platform

Continued Use

Continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of updated terms and disclosures.

Contact Information

General Inquiries

For questions about these disclosures or our platform:

• Email: hello@rootedinrising.org
• Subject Line: Disclosure Question
• Response Time: We respond to inquiries within 48 hours

Legal Notices

For legal notices, copyright concerns, or formal complaints:

• Email: legal@rootedinrising.org
• Subject Line: Legal Notice - [Brief Description]
• Required Information: Include specific details and contact information

Emergency Situations

Reporting Issues

To report problems with practitioners or platform issues:

• Email: support@rootedinrising.org
• Include: Detailed description, screenshots if applicable, and your contact information
• Response: We investigate all reports promptly and confidentially