07/21/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
July 20, 2026
Cornerstone Center for Counseling and Discipleship, Inc. ("Cornerstone") is providing notice of a data security incident involving the protected health information of certain former clients. Cornerstone takes the privacy and security of client information extremely seriously and sincerely apologizes for any concern this incident may cause.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐
Prior to Cornerstone's temporary closure on April 12, 2025, three former employees took client contact information from Cornerstone's records without authorization. Cornerstone discovered this breach several weeks ago and immediately began an internal investigation. Through that investigation, Cornerstone learned that the information was taken for the purpose of supporting legal claims against Cornerstone and was provided to an unauthorized third party law office.
Cornerstone has attempted to contact the former employees and the law office to request the return of the stolen information. Those efforts have not been successful.
Cornerstone reported the breach to the California Department of Health Care Services and has notified the clients it was able to reach directly. Cornerstone is cooperating with regulatory authorities and has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Cornerstone has also reported the incident to local law enforcement.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐
The information involved includes client names and contact information for individuals who received substance use disorder treatment services at Cornerstone prior to April 2025. The information did not include Social Security numbers, financial account information, medical records, treatment notes, or diagnostic information.
Federal law (42 CFR Part 2) provides heightened confidentiality protections for substance use disorder treatment records. Cornerstone takes these protections seriously and is pursuing all available remedies for the unauthorized disclosure of this protected information.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐
Cornerstone has taken the following steps in response to this incident:
1. Reported the breach to the California Department of Health Care Services
2. Notified affected clients directly where contact information was available
3. Initiated an internal investigation
4. Attempted to contact the former employees and the unauthorized third party law office to request return of the stolen information
5. Filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights
6. Reported the incident to local law enforcement
7. Filed complaints with the relevant professional licensing and certifying agencies
Implemented additional safeguards to protect client information
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐จ
While the information involved was limited to names and contact information, Cornerstone recommends that affected individuals remain vigilant and monitor for any unexpected communications that reference their relationship with Cornerstone. If you receive any suspicious communication, please contact Cornerstone immediately.
๐
๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
If you have any questions about this incident or would like additional information, please contact:
Joshua Pierce MDiv, SUDCC
President, Pastoral Counselor
Cornerstone Center for Counseling and Discipleship, Inc.
(661)750-0438
[email protected]
Cornerstone is committed to protecting the confidentiality of client information and regrets any concern this incident may cause.
