Implementing CCUSA Code of Ethics

Catholic Charities Community Services

Phoenix, Arizona
Tricia Hoyt

Webinar Outline
History
Prior to the new Code: Committee; Training Shifts in approach due to the new Code of Ethics

Developing an Ethics Program

Demonstrating integration of Catholic Social Teaching at all levels Setting expectations Training and Support

Issues and Outcomes Questions

Prior to the new Code of Ethics

COA recommended Ethics Committee Conducted research, attended courses Developed training on understanding, recognizing and handling ethical dilemmas personally Developed process for addressing ethical dilemmas that employees couldnt handle alone

Previous Training
Focused on developing awareness about ethics Focused on recognizing ethical dilemmas Defined ethical dilemmas as conflicts between competing values Encouraged handling of ethical dilemmas personally Introduced process for addressing ethical dilemmas that employees couldnt handle alone

ETHICAL DILEMMA PANEL

Personal Values

ETHICAL DILEMMA PANEL

New Code: New Approach

Potential of new Code of Ethics to enhance organizational culture Potential to articulate values, principles, policies and behaviors within one framework Potential to improve awareness of Catholic Social Teaching (what makes us different)

Developing an Ethics Program

Emphases:
Values and Principles that permeate entire agency

Relationship between Values and Behaviors

Developing an Ethics Program

Dilemmas: Role of CCUSA Code Specific applications for our agency

Developing an Ethics Program

Developing an Ethics Program

Care for Ethics throughout Agency

Human Resources Hiring, orientation, training - full clarity and disclosure Clear articulation of agency values in the description of job duties/qualifications and in the interview process. New Hire Orientation - familiarization with Catholic Social Teaching and introduction to Ethics program.
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Care for Ethics throughout Agency

Human Resources - continued Quarterly supervisory training events offer coaching and discussions relating to organizational core principles and values. Written Guides and Manuals available on the organizational network drives to assist personnel in sound professional practices. The HR office develops an employee evaluation tool that assesses employee performance and care for agency values.

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Care for Ethics throughout Agency

Ethics Committee and its Duties Staff from across agency programs and regions Assist in development and maintenance of a process for the integration of the values of the agency at all levels. Assist in the integration of the Catholic Charities code of ethics into the policies and procedures of the agency.
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Care for Ethics throughout Agency

Ethics Committee and its Duties Determine need for staff training in our ethical standards Conduct staff training Develop process for staff to raise ethical dilemmas for review Maintain on call status Review and recommend action on referred ethical dilemmas

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Relating CCUSA to our Agency

Responsibility to Clients
Our responsibilities to the clients we serve includes attention to our obligations relative to: client rights, confidentiality, dual relationships and cultural sensitivity. Relevant Catholic Charities Policies that relate to staff client responsibility include:
Policy 3.7 Policy 3.9 Policy 3.10 Policy 3.11 Policy 3.12 Policy 4.3 Client Rights and Responsibilities Client Grievances Research Protections for Persons Served Confidentiality Duty to Warn Access to records

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Relating CCUSA to our Agency

Additionally, staff must hold themselves to the highest professional standard relative to providing services in a Catholic Charities agency. To guide staff in the ways in which we maintain and interpret our religious identity and related services to our clients are policies and procedures that address professional practices and respect for life:

Policy 1.16 Policy 2.7

Professional Practices Respect for Life

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Relating CCUSA to our Agency

Responsibility to Colleagues
all those who serve or represent the agency in any
capacity: Governing Board and advisory board members, corporate officers, management team, staff, and volunteers. As colleagues, we have an obligation to contribute toward an environment of integrity, accountability, justice, competence, collaboration, transparency, and teamwork. Relevant Catholic Charities Policies that relate to the mutual responsibilities of colleagues include:
Board Manual Roles and Responsibilities
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 As a colleague within the Catholic Charities structure, you will be asked to comply with these and other policies and procedures relevant to intra-agency behaviors.

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Relating CCUSA to our Agency

Responsibility to Community
Board and staff members share in the responsibilities of engaging local church communities, advocating for social justice, and building coalitions. The agency staff has the responsibility to develop and implement disaster response efforts, enter into contract arrangements, seek grants and donations, and conduct financial investments in a manner consistent with our values and principles. Relevant Catholic Charities Policies that relate to our responsibilities to the community include:

Policy 3.2 Accounting Manual Advocacy Financial Procedures

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Relating CCUSA to our Agency

Responsibility to our Catholic Identity
As a social service institution of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, Catholic Charities operates in accordance with the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church. The overall goal of our services is to preserve and improve the quality of life for all with whom we come in contact. When acting as representative of the agency, all employees and volunteers operate in accord with the values, norms, principles, and philosophy of Catholic Charities, most especially as founded in the moral teaching of the Church.
Policy 2.7 Respect for Life As a Catholic agency, we hold the respect for life as a value of the highest order and pay particular care to the way in which our behaviors match our stated commitment to demonstrate respect for life.
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Relating CCUSA to our Agency

What our staff members say about
Responsibilities to Clients Responsibilities to Colleagues Responsibilities to Community Responsibilities to Catholic Identity

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Issues and Outcomes

Preparing training for Program Directors to use Creating pre-hire question(s) Creating Talking Points for staff members Evaluating non-agency materials

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DISCUSSION

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