Code of Conduct

Our organization appreciates your willingness to share your skills.  Providing safe and secure programs for our consumers is of utmost importance to us.  The information gathered in this application is designed to help us provide the highest quality programs for the people of our community.

This organization has zero tolerance for abuse and will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of consumers in its programs. Any mistreatment or abuse by an employee or volunteer will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer service and cooperation with law enforcement.

This organization takes every allegation of abuse or misconduct seriously and will fully cooperate with the authorities to investigate all cases of alleged abuse or misconduct. Employees and volunteers shall cooperate with any external investigation by outside authorities or internal investigation conducted by the organization or persons given investigative authority by the organization.

An employee or volunteer’s failure to cooperate with an investigation will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or dismissal from the organization.

Code of Conduct with Consumers

• Our employees and volunteers will exhibit the highest ethical best practices and personal integrity.
• Our employees and volunteers will provide a professional work environment that is free from physical, psychological, written, or verbal intimidation or harassment.
• Our employees and volunteers will not physically, sexually, or emotionally abuse or neglect a Consumers or adult.
• Our employees and volunteers will share concerns about suspicious or inappropriate behavior with their supervisor or administrator.
• Our employees and volunteers will report any suspected abuse or neglect of a Consumers to the state authorities.
• Our employees and volunteers will accept their personal responsibility to protect Consumers and adults from all forms of abuse.

The following policies are intended to assist employees and volunteers in making decisions about interactions with consumers. For clarification of any guideline, or to inquire about behaviors not addressed here, contact your supervisor.

The organization provides our consumers with the highest quality services available. We are committed to creating an environment for consumers that is safe, nurturing, empowering, and that promotes growth and success. 

Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated, and confirmed abuse will result in immediate dismissal from this organization. The organization will fully cooperate with authorities if allegations of abuse are made that require an investigation. 

The Conduct with Consumers outlines specific expectations of employees and volunteers as we strive to accomplish our mission together. 

0. 1. Consumers will be always treated with respect. 
   2. Consumers will be treated fairly regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender, or religious preference.
   3. Employees and volunteers will adhere to appropriate boundaries governing physical affection as outlined by the organization.
   4. Employees and volunteers will avoid physical affection with consumers that cannot be observed by others.
   5. Employees and volunteers will adhere to appropriate and inappropriate verbal interactions as outlined by our organization.
   6. Employees and volunteers will not stare at or comment on consumers’ bodies.
   7. Employees and volunteers will not date or become romantically involved with consumers.
   8. Employees and volunteers will not use or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the presence of consumers.  
   9. Employees and volunteers will not have sexually oriented materials, including printed or online pornography, on our organization’s property.
   10. Employees and volunteers will not keep secrets with consumers and will only give gifts in accordance with organizational policies.
   11. Employees and volunteers will comply with our organization’s policies regarding interactions with consumers outside of our programs.
   12. Employees and volunteers will adhere to organizational policies regarding electronic communication and social media with consumers.
   13. Employees and volunteers will adhere to organizational policies regarding working one-on-one with consumers in a private setting. 
   14. Employees and volunteers will not abuse consumers in anyway including (but not limited to) the following:
1. Physical abuse: hitting, spanking, shaking, slapping, unnecessary restraints
2. Verbal abuse: degrading, threatening, cursing
3. Sexual abuse: inappropriate touch, exposing oneself, sexually oriented conversations
4. Mental abuse: shaming, humiliation, cruelty
5. Neglect: withholding food, water, shelter
   
   15. The organization will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of one consumer by another consumer. In addition, our organization will not tolerate any behavior that is classified under the definition of bullying, and to the extent that such actions are disruptive, we will take steps needed to eliminate such behavior. Anyone who sees an act of bullying, and who then encourages it, is engaging in bullying. This policy applies to all consumers, employees, and volunteers. Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional, is repeated over time, and                   involves an imbalance of power or strength.  Bullying can take on various forms including:                     
6. Physical bullying: when one person engages in physical force against another person, such as by hitting, punching, pushing, kicking, pinching, or restraining another.
7. Verbal bullying: when someone uses their words to hurt another, such as by belittling or calling another hurtful names.
8. Nonverbal or relational bullying: when one person manipulates a relationship or desired relationship to harm another person.  This includes social exclusion, friendship manipulation, or gossip. This type of bullying also includes intimidating another person by using gestures.
9. Cyberbullying: the intentional and overt act of aggression toward another person by way of any technological tool, such as email, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs). 

Cyberbullying can involve:

1. 1. 1. Sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images;
      2. Posting sensitive, private information about another person;
      3. Pretending to be someone else in order to make that person look bad;
      4. Intentionally excluding someone from an online group.

1. 15. 5. Hazing:  an activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers that person regardless of that person’s willingness to participate.
       6. Sexualized bullying: when bullying involves behaviors that are sexual in nature.  Examples of sexualized bullying behaviors include sexting, bullying that involves exposures of private body parts, and verbal bullying involving sexualized language or innuendos.
   16. Employees and volunteers will report concerns or complaints about other employees and volunteers, other adults, or Consumers to a supervisor who can be reached at 620.225.8157.
   17. Employees and volunteers will report allegations or incidents of abuse to the proper state authority. Please refer to the specific guidelines of your state regarding mandated reporting.
   18. Employees and volunteers may not have engaged in or been accused or convicted of Consumers abuse, indecency with a consumer, or injury to a consumer.