Download CODE OF ETHICS

CODE OF ETHICS
Way Station is dedicated to the principle that all individuals served, employees, student interns,
volunteers, and visitors deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy. This policy outlines
Way Station’s Code of Ethics and applies to all employees, student interns, volunteers, and governing
board members. It is the responsibility of each individual to act in a manner that is consistent with
Way Station values, principles, and policies.
Guiding Principles

Accountability and Integrity – Commitment to our mission/Truth in action and
responsiveness/ Conducting ourselves in an ethical, honest and forthright
manner/Informed decision-making/Clear communication/ Compliance with applicable laws,
regulations, and standards/Corporate and social responsibility

Standards of Quality – Striving for excellence/Meeting profession standards and
continuously improving all aspects of our work/Outcome-based evaluation

Partnership and Collaboration – Working together discovering our common ground and
collective strength

Inspiration – Promoting hope and recovery/Envisioning opportunity

Respect and Cultural Diversity – Appreciating and cultivating diversity/Fostering an
environment that embraces and celebrates the diversity of all constituents/Consideration
for differing perspectives

Empowerment – Finding strength within/Encouraging the autonomy of both consumers and
staff using teamwork to achieve recovery, individualized goals and personal growth and
development/Assuring accessibility

Learning Environment – Enhancing professional knowledge and skills through inquiry,
teaching, learning, and research

Safety – Providing a safe environment for consumers, staff, volunteers, and visitors

Innovation – Using the expertise and creativity of our staff, as well as the latest scientific
advancements, to create a system that is a model for others/Evidence-based practices

Value and Fiscal Responsibility – Assuring that our services are effective and that the
cost of our services appropriately reflects their value/Operating in fiscally responsible and
cost efficient manner

Caring – Providing services with empathy, compassion, and sensitivity
1
Codes of Conduct
Business Practices
 We provide accurate information concerning services
 We provide services to meet the needs of persons served
 We treat persons served, families, other agencies and co-workers with dignity, respect, and
courtesy
 We are responsive to the needs of our clients as well as other customers
 We deliver services in public/private partnerships
 We encourage and advocate for rights of persons served
 We strive for state-of-the-art care within the limits of available economic resources
 We serve as a responsible steward for public and private funds and assets with which we are
entrusted
 We generate fee-for-service income only from those services that are appropriate to the needs of
individuals served.
 We abide by all state and federal laws and regulations as well as all Way Station’s internal
policies
 We do not engage in activities that create actual, apparent, or potential conflicts of interest
 We prohibit waste, fraud, abuse, and other wrongdoing
Marketing Practices
 We fairly and accurately represent selves to persons served, families, and any public
 We endeavor to reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental illness through local and
national education and advocacy
 We enhance the field of community services through advocacy, research, and education
 We provide sufficient information in all marketing materials and practices to foster informed
consumer choices
Contractual Relationships
 We strive to obtain the most advantageous contracts possible
 We require competitive pricing prior to entering into a contractual agreement for service contracts
in excess of $10,000 per year and goods agreements in excess of $25,000 per year
 We adhere to our Conflict of Interest Policy when contemplating arrangements that might benefit
the private interest of an officer or director or might result in a possible excess of benefit
transaction
Service Delivery
 We respect the rights of persons served, including confidentiality and right to choice
 We recognize and facilitate understanding and appreciation of individual cultural and spiritual
differences (based upon religion, ethnic or racial heritage, gender, age, sexual orientation, social
or economic status, or disabling conditions)
 We promote health, community integration, and achievement of purposeful goals for and with
children, adolescents and adults with serious mental illness, emotional behavioral disabilities or
other disabling conditions
 We provide services with compassion and sensitivity
 We provide clinical service that are client-centered and holistic
2








We focus on recovery, establishment or re-establishment of roles in the community, development
of personal support network, and optimal quality of life
We adhere to a uniform standard of care throughout the organization
We deliver services that are strictly in the best interest of the person served
We prohibited staff from entering into any private financial arrangements with persons served
We prohibit the solicitation for personal sales or fundraising between staff and persons served
We respect and make reasonable efforts to safeguard the personal property of persons served
We respect the boundaries of a collegial work relationship with persons served. Dating and
physical intimacy between staff and persons served is prohibited
Staff may serve as a witness to documents, including powers of attorney, guardianship, and
advance directives
Professional Responsibilities
 We actively maintain high standards of professional competence and meet professional standards
of the field
 As professionals we strive to meet the highest standards of competence and commit to strengthen
our competencies on a continuous basis.
 We conduct ourselves as role models in performance of job activities, striving for exemplary
attitude and work habits
 We respect the boundaries of a collegial work relationship with persons served, other employees,
student interns, volunteers, and visitors
 We engage in in-service training to maximize competence in service delivery
 We commit to continuous learning, skill development and application of new knowledge
 We do not engage in any form of conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest or that adversely
reflects on Way Station
Human Resources
 We promote and foster fairness and justice for all employees, student interns, and volunteers
 We create and sustain an environment that encourages all individuals to reach their fullest
potential and to develop their skills and new competencies
 We treat employees, student interns, and volunteers with dignity, respect and compassion to
foster a trusting work environment free of harassment, intimidation, and unlawful discrimination
 We assure an environment of inclusiveness and a commitment to diversity
 We develop and administer policies and procedures that foster fair, consistent and equitable
treatment for all
 We maintain current and accurate Human Resources information
 We safeguard restricted and confidential information
 We take appropriate steps to ensure the accuracy of all communicated information about Human
Resources policy and procedures
In all of the above, Way Station strives for the highest standard of ethical, honest, and forthright
behavior.
3
Educating Personnel and Other Stakeholder on Ethical Codes of Conduct
New employees, students, volunteers, and persons served are oriented to Way Station’s Code of
Ethics during the orientation process. The Code of Ethics is disseminated for review by employees
and persons served at least annually and is available to all stakeholders and the public upon request.
Dealing with Allegations of Violation of Ethical Codes
Way Station encourages the reporting of any violations of its code of ethics and pledges to review
and investigate all complaints and concerns impartially and generally within 24-hours. Concerns
may be submitted anonymously. WSI pledges no reprisal and therefore expression of concerns or
complaints will have no effect on an employee’s job or job advancements, or a client’s receipt of
services.
Procedures for investigating and acting on violations of the code of ethics are described in detail in
the following policies and procedures: Corporate Compliance Program, Client Grievance and
Complaint Procedure, Crisis Review Forum, Employee Grievance Procedure, Discipline and
Termination of Employment.
Policies: corporate governance/code of ethics
Way Station, Inc. © 2014
4