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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 1 Service Provider Selection and Responsibilities Page 6 • Preparing energy vendor relationships activities for the next year. • Conducting Crisis processing, monitoring, reviewing etc. • Updating household records for next year (including eHEAT mail update check box). • Working with other community organizations (developing, strengthening, improving relationships). • Conducting participant follow up and satisfaction survey. • Planning for upcoming activities including preparations for the next year. • Conducting capacity building training for staff. • Reviewing process with stakeholders including internal stakeholders such as Service Provider fiscal staff, Service Provider director, and other internal programs. • Maintaining and advancing referral system. Equal Access to Service Local Service Providers must ensure equal access to EAP services (information, applications, funds for Primary Heat, Crisis, ERR, voter registration and other collaborative services funds) for people with: • Little or no English proficiency. • Hearing and speech impairment. (see Appendix 1B - Accessibility for People with Hearing and Speech Disabilities) • Visual impairment • Developmental disability or mental illness. • Multicultural background. • Physical disability. In addition, Service Providers must ensure that: • Application sites are available throughout their service area. • Application sites are accessible to persons with physical disabilities. • Applicants are able to receive home visits if requested. • Applications are available and accepted from October 1 through June 1. Data Privacy Minn. Stat. § 216C.266 provides that data on individuals collected, maintained, or created because an individual applies for energy assistance are private data for the purposes of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minn. Stat. § 13. The collection, storage, use and release