Human Services Program and Profession HN Seminar Unit 5

Ethics What is your understanding of Ethics?

Ethics Many of us have heard about ethics but what is the importance of ethics in the Human Service field?

Ethics – “is a set of principles of conduct within an organization that guide decision making and behavior. The purpose of the code is to provide members and other interested persons with guidelines for making ethical choices in the conduct of their work. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of many employees' credibility. Members of an organization adopt a code of ethics to share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the organization's principles and standards of practice.” ( Bar Association Dictionary – U.S. Legal, Inc. 2002)

Are ethics the same as confidentiality?

Confidentiality is a part of the ethics code. Confidentiality plays a big role in our relationship with our clients. Confidentiality assures the client that the information shared between the HS Professional and the client will not be released unless the client signs a consent form authorizing the HS Professional to release certain information.

Do you go to jail if you break the Ethics Code?

There are times that this could happen depending on whether a crime was committed but in most cases this does not happen. What happens is a complaint has been filed by a client and has been sent to the governing board of the association you are a member of such as NOHS (National Organization of Human Services). The complaint is reviewed by the Board. You are then notified that an action has been filed by your client along with the client’s complaint.

What type of ethical dilemmas might you encounter as a Human Service Professional? Be detailed in your example. How would you handle an ethical situation if it would arise? Use your example that you just gave in seminar when explaining.

What does it mean to empower a client? Give an example of how you would empower a client you are working with daily.

How will you set boundaries with your clients as the Humans Service Professional?

Do you think you will have difficulty setting boundaries with your clients or have you had difficulty in the past?

 In Chapter 4, the text talks about the clinical assessment of a client uses numerous skills such as patience, active listening skills and good observation skills.  Explain how each of these skills listed are beneficial when assessing a client?

 Works well with clients who feel paralyzed in response to challenges of various psychosocial problems  Treatment is typically short (few months)  Focuses on solving the problem  Client and counselor/caseworker define problems together and develop mutually agreed upon goals  Goals broken down into smaller steps more easily managed tasks  Counselor/caseworker assists and monitors clients progress to meet goals

 Do you feel this type of approach could be beneficial? ◦ Please explain your answer  How could what you learned about goals in Unit 3 help you work with your future clients?

Take a few minutes and visit one of the following websites: Share with us one issue listed from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and or Child Trends websites that impressed or impacted you and why?

In what ways will you encounter these issues in your future work as a Human Service Professional?

Work for Unit 5  Readings - Read Chapters 3 and 4 in your text, Introduction to Human Services. Visit the websites linked in the readings for Unit 5.  Discussion - This week, you will need to read a case study as preparation for discussion. Then, using information learned in Chapter 4, you will identify and apply concepts and skills from the human services field to the case study. ◦ Respond to others on the discussion board ◦ Video Discussion – Take time and watch the short videos under the video discussion area and share your comments with your classmates.  Quiz - This week you will a quiz covering Chapters 3 and 4 in your text, so be sure to read and take notes on those chapters before taking the quiz. This quiz has 25 questions worth 2 points each for a total of 50 points. Use the study guide in Doc Sharing to help you!! Thanks for a great seminar.