Mission

The Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts (FOI/PA) Office has the responsibility of managing the appellate function for the SBA as well as developing policy and procedures for the Agency regarding both Acts.  Both Acts contain two administrative levels, an initial and an appellate review.  The initial review is conducted by the program or field office(s) that maintain the requested information.  The FOI/PA office conducts an appellate review should a dissatisfied requestor submit an appeal of the initial response.  In addition, the FOI/PA Office provides guidance and training to SBA personnel, agency clients and the general public regarding the Acts.

The FOI/PA office also has the overall responsibility for ensuring the agency’s implementation of information privacy protections and compliance with information privacy laws.

The FOI/PA Office, located in the Office of Hearing and Appeals, was established in December of 1976.  The FOI/PA Staff consists of one supervisory paralegal specialist, Lisa J. Babcock; two paralegals; Kitty Higgins and Samantha Wiggins.