The Arc of Carroll County Code of Ethics

It is the goal of The Arc of Carroll County to provide an example for other human service, non-profit organizations, by establishing a high standard of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct. The Arc of Carroll County intends to create an environment that fosters ethical conduct, where no employee will ever feel the need to compromise personal integrity to help achieve the mission of the agency.

The Arc of Carroll County Code of Ethics sets forth values, ethical principles and ethical standards to which The Arc of Carroll County staff aspire and by which their actions can be judged. The Arc of Carroll County Code of Ethics cannot guarantee ethical behavior. Moreover, the code of ethics cannot resolve all ethical issues disputes, nor capture the richness and complexity involved in striving to make responsible choices within a moral community.

The Arc of Carroll County Code of Ethics is relevant to all of The Arc of Carroll County’s Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and consultants, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the population they serve. While working under The Arc of Carroll County’s Code of Ethics, the staff, volunteers and consultants must be conscientious, committed and honest in their work as well as in aspects of their private lives that are related to their respective jobs in the organization.

The Arc of Carroll County pledges to set the standard for professional conduct by acting with integrity. We know that acting with integrity builds credibility, both within the organization and throughout the communities within which we operate. A reputation for integrity is a significant corporate asset. The Arc of Carroll County Board of Directors and the executive staff are committed to making The Arc of Carroll County the most valued Arc in our field. We will accomplish this by saying what we mean, doing what we say and making a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve.

The Arc of Carroll County will be accountable to the public by demonstrating the highest standards of personal and corporate integrity, fairness, honesty and compliance with both the spirit and the letter of the law. The Arc of Carroll County aims to set the standard for ethical conduct by subscribing to the established Codes of Ethics for social workers, certified rehabilitation counselors, certified public accountants, and other relevant professions. Beyond this, The Arc of Carroll County endorses five basic principles:

Honesty

To be truthful in all our endeavors, to be honest and forthright with one another and with our consumers, referral sources, and community partners.

Respect

To treat one another with dignity and fairness, appreciating the diversity of our work force the uniqueness of each employee, and the confidentiality of each consumer.

Trust

To build confidence through teamwork and open, candid communication at all levels of the organization.

Citizenship

To obey the laws of the land, work to make our communities more productive, and act with pride and confidence as a representative of The Arc of Carroll County.

We promise to apply the standard of integrity to all we do as related to: our staff, The Arc of Carroll County Board of Directors, volunteers, financial practices, marketing activities, consumer services, referral/funding source interests, and other stakeholders’ issues.

The following examples provide a framework within which The Arc of Carroll County applies the foregoing standard:

Treat in an Ethical Manner Those to Whom The Arc of Carroll County has an Obligation.

We are committed to the ethical treatment of those to whom we have an obligation. For our employees we are committed to honesty, just management, and fairness providing a safe and healthy environment, opportunity for career growth, and respecting the dignity due everyone.

For our consumers, families, and guardians we are committed to respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness recognizing that service to them is our primary responsibility.

For our customers we are committed to produce reliable products and consumer-driven services, delivered in a timely manner, at a fair price, and with expected outcomes.

For the communities in which we live and work, we are committed to acting as concerned and responsible neighbors as we seek ways to share The Arc of Carroll County’s mission with others, reflecting all aspects of good citizenship.

For our funding sources and governing authorities we are committed to pursuing financial stability, sound growth and to exercising prudence in the use of our assets in a manner that helps promote the improvement of programs and services to persons with disabilities.

Obey the Law

We will conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance with the law does not comprise our entire ethical responsibility. Rather, it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for performance of our duties.

Promote a Positive Work Environment

All employees want and deserve a workplace where they feel respected, satisfied, and appreciated. Harassment or discrimination of any kind and especially involving race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran or marital status is unacceptable in our workplace environment.

Providing an environment that supports the honesty, integrity, respect, trust, responsibility, and citizenship of every employee permits us the opportunity to achieve excellence in our workplace. While everyone who works for The Arc of Carroll County must contribute to the creation and maintenance of such an environment, our executive and management personnel assume responsibility for fostering a context for work that will bring out the best in all of us.

Work Safely: Protect Yourself and Your Fellow Employees

We are committed to providing a drug-free, safe, and healthy work environment. Each of us is responsible for compliance with environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations. Observe posted warnings and regulations. Report immediately to the appropriate management staff person any accident or injury sustained on the job, or any environmental or safety concern you may have.

Keep Accurate and Complete Records

We must maintain accurate and complete records. Transactions between The Arc of Carroll County and outside individuals and organizations must be promptly and accurately entered in our books in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and principles. Entries into the case record must be made in a timely manner and reflect the desires and preferences of the persons receiving services, the services provided in response, and the actual outcomes achieved. Financial records and case record information must treated with strict confidentiality. No one should rationalize or even consider misrepresenting facts, falsifying records, or compromising confidentiality. It is illegal, will not be tolerated, and will result in disciplinary action.

Steer Clear of Conflicts of Interest

Playing favorites or having conflicts of interest, in practice or in appearance, runs counter to the fair treatment that we are all entitled.  Avoid any relationship, influence, or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, your ability to make objective and fair decisions when performing your job.  When in doubt, share the facts of the situation with your supervisor.

Fraud

Management is responsible for the detection and prevention of fraud, misappropriations, and other inappropriate conduct. Fraud is defined as the intentional, false representation or concealment of a material fact for the purpose of inducing another to act upon it to his or her injury.

Acts constituting fraud include, but are not limited to:

• Any dishonest or fraudulent act
• Forgery or alteration of any document or account belonging to the Company, including checks, bank drafts and other financial documents
• Misappropriation of funds, securities, supplies or assets
• Impropriety in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions
• Profiteering as a result of insider knowledge of Company activities
• Disclosing confidential and proprietary information to outside parties
• Accepting or seeking anything of material value from contractors, vendors or persons providing services to the Company. Exceptions: gifts less than $50 in value, and
• Destruction, removal or inappropriate use of records, furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The Executive Director has the primary responsibility for the investigation of all suspected fraudulent acts. If the investigation substantiates that fraudulent acts have occurred he will issue reports to appropriate management personnel, and, if appropriate to the Board of Directors.

Decisions to prosecute or refer the examination results to the appropriate law enforcement and/or regulatory agencies for independent investigation will be made in conjunction with legal counsel and senior management, as will final decisions on disposition of the case.

Any employee who suspects dishonest or fraudulent activity should notify the Executive Director immediately and should not attempt to investigate the matter personally. All information will be treated confidentially. While the matter is under investigation, the employee should not discuss the matter with anyone other than the Executive Director or any person he may designate.

No action will be taken against an employee who, in good faith and with reasonable grounds, merely reports suspected fraudulent activity.

If an investigation results in a recommendation to terminate an individual engaged or complicit in fraudulent activity, the matter will be reviewed by the Human Resources Director and outside counsel before any action is taken.

Mechanism to Address Violations of Ethics

Any allegation of violation of The Arc of Carroll County’s standards for integrity will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by the appropriate executive staff member or governing authority in accordance with policies set forth in The Arc of Carroll County’s Personnel Manual.  In these situations where a potential breach of an established professional Code of Ethics may have occurred, the allegation will be reported in writing to the Executive Director with review by The Arc of Carroll County’s Board of Directors.

8/3/06