An ethical code of conduct outlines the core values and principles an agency seeks to adhere to and provides new employees with clear expectations related to professional conduct. Our code of ethics is designed to give all Concerned Citizens employees a definitive description of ethical, professional, appropriate, and inappropriate behavior.

• Program Directors are responsible for ensuring that Supervisors understand and acknowledge the Code of Conduct.
• Supervisors are responsible for making sure the employees working in the field all understand this code.
• The Program Director and Supervisor are also responsible for ensuring that all future employees are aware of and acknowledge the Code upon hire.

– Business

• Everyone is a unique individual with different strengths and weaknesses and deserves to be respected. This is true for teams, co-workers, and individuals who seek or receive services. All decisions with regard to life and services will be made with the input and acceptance of the participant before implementation. We honor and place value on every person.
• We create opportunities for every fellow staff member, recipient of our program services, and public visitor to succeed with a goal to enhance their abilities to achieve and discover their full potential.

– Marketing

• Confidentiality and privacy are respected and no information is released without the written permission of the participant or his/her guardian.
• We provide diverse and creative support based on specific individual needs.
• Safety is always a priority and primary consideration for us.

– Human Resources

• We encourage professional and personal responsibility  as well as being a positive and flexible team player.
• Clear, open, and polite communication and listening skills are critical to being successful within our organization.
• We do not tolerate abuse, including sexual, of any kind, as outlined in our policies.
• Our employees are frequently visible in public and, as a representative of our organization, are expected to, “present well” by dressing and behaving appropriately. Leave your personal problems at home.
• We expect organization, a focus on what needs to be done, and for tasks to be completed on time through setting real expectations and following through on them – do what you say you are going to do.
• We do not tolerate waste of company supplies or time, fraudulent behavior, theft of property or money from anyone including company, co-workers, or clients.
• Monetary reimbursement must be deserved, honestly earned, and consistent with company policies for all employees. Be on time – all the time.

– Service Delivery

• ​Gratuities are not allowed from clients to our employees or from employees to clients. Accepting or giving to someone you provide services to is an ethical breach. 
• Conflicts of interest – avoid situations that may cause the employee’s interest to conflict with the agency’s or that might compromise the company’s integrity. Do not make private arrangements with clients for services.
• ​Personal property is not to be sold or bartered at work for your family or another organization.
• Boundaries – it is unethical to have a personal relationship with anyone you are providing services to and will not be tolerated.
• Personal fundraising is not allowed. All fundraising goes through the Concerned Citizens financial office and has to be approved and acknowledged by the Executive Director.

– Professional Responsibility

• Acting and conducting business, which is in the best interest of recipients of program services, Concerned Citizens and the Board of Directors, always placing the recipients needs first and upholding the mission and standards of Concerned Citizen.
• Employment and advancement is an option for any person interested in working, regardless of support need or perceived skill level. Maintain a high standard of compliance with Federal, State, and County governments.
• Demonstrate integrity; provide professional, quality services for the welfare of customers and fellow co-workers. Take pride in doing the best job possible. Provide quality customer services to the people, we serve, businesses, and funding sources.

If you have any questions, problems, or complaints regarding a violation of this policy or the Code of Ethics in general, you must communicate your concerns to your immediate supervisor or the Executive Director immediately. If you feel uncomfortable doing so or if your supervisor is the source of the problem, condones the problem, or ignores the problem, report to the Board of Directors.
You are not required to directly confront the person who is the source of your report, questions, or complaint before notifying any of those individuals listed.

– Procedures for Ethical Violations

1. Verbal warning and training to resolve violation
2. We create opportunities for every fellow staff member, recipient of our program services, and public visitor to succeed with a goal to enhance their abilities to achieve and discover their full potential.
3. We create opportunities for every fellow staff member, recipient of our program services, and public visitor to succeed with a goal to enhance their abilities to achieve and discover their full potential.

In all areas of agency operations conflict of interest awareness must prevail. This means that no person or group shall derive ancillary benefit from a relationship created by agency operation or circumstance.

The board of directors, through their appointed agents, shall be the arbiters of whether such a conflict, or the potential for conflict, exists. Should any consumer, staff, consultant, board member, fonder, etc., question whether a conflict of interest exists, they are directed to bring it to the attention of the Executive Director. The Director shall make determination and follow a course of action to disclose and/or resolve the conflict with whatever action/means is appropriate to the situation.

Download our nondiscrimination policy by clicking the button below.