Return to the Archive Page

IN THIS ISSUE

Code of Ethics
President's Message
1999 Annual Conference
Dear Practice
Day in the Life of!
Tips for School Children
1999 President's Awards
Memo from Membership


Should the MHBFSA have a
Code of Ethics?
Ethics are a  personal decision.  Or at least it is defined personally.  A debate has taken place recently on who  defines ethics?  Is it the agency where we work, our religion, our profession?  The Minnesota Family-Based  Service Association adopted a  home-based code of ethics for their association in 1997. 
The Board of the Michigan Home-Based Family Services Association has debated whether our association should adopt a similar code.  As an association we have written standards that were finalized in 1996.  Several of our member agencies have their own codes of behavior.  Many of the professions that each of us belong to also have established code of  ethics.  The question remains, should this association adopt a code of ethics that speaks specifically to home-based workers?
The board is interested in your comments. Are the current  Standards adequate to guide our members?  Would a code of ethics offer supportive guidelines?
We have  permission to reprint this code in our newsletter to give the members  ideas to ponder.  Following is   the code adopted by the Minnesota Association:

Code of Ethics


1. Staff will read and know the Code of Ethics that pertains to their profession and professional licenses. All unlicensed staff will follow the Code of Ethics for unlicensed mental health practitioners.

2. For the purpose of the Minnesota Family-Based Services Association, staff will follow their standards of practice which is required by their own agencies’ Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice.

Billing


3. Staff employed by an agency may not receive direct payment from a client. Billing must be submitted/received by the agency.

Relationships


4. Family-based workers will not form a personal relationship with a former client for two years after the professional relationship is terminated. This includes deliberate personal socializing with former clients. All types of dual relationships, including political, religious, business, neighborhood/ community, etc., must be dealt with carefully. Client confidentiality must be protected. Client cases involving any type of dual relationship must be staffed with your supervisor.

5. Any sexual behavior with clients is prohibited.  Any non-sexual touching (hugs, hand-patting, etc.) will be discussed with the client and in supervision.  This pertains to contact also with children.  Example: Parents will be asked permission if it is okay to hold the baby or allow a child on your lap.  Permission must be obtained prior to each incident with adults and children.  Parents will be the ones putting children in time-outs or any other kind of physical restraints.  Exceptions may be situations of role-modeling, teaching parents, and curriculum-based work.

Safety


6. If anyone is threatening physical harm to families or staff/worker, follow the safety policy of your agency and seek immediate supervision.

Dress Code


7. Family-based staff may have a casual dress code. This code implies that the professional will dress appropriately in all situations.

Examples: Wearing professional business attire for court appearances. You are representing yourself and the profession. Suggestive clothes and alcohol/drug related or offensive slogans are not permitted.

It is important to be respectful of the family’s rules, such as taking shoes off at the door, where to have sessions, etc. When in doubt, ask the family. Sessions are to be conducted in common living areas. Any exceptions will be staffed in supervision.

Good personal hygiene is to be adhered to by all staff.
Food and Beverage


8. No alcohol or illicit non-prescribed drugs will be used prior to scheduled appointments.

The family-based worker will inform that sessions will not occur if any family member(s) is consuming alcohol or using illicit non-prescription drugs during sessions. The family-based worker will reschedule sessions.

Buying meals, cokes, etc., will correspond with professional goals or rituals of celebrations. Family-based worker will obtain parental permission when providing treats. These interactions will be recorded in your case notes.

Accepting coffee, meals, cookies, etc., from a client during sessions is respectful. Remember therapeutic intent.

Gifts of food are respectful and acceptable. Be aware of cultural values and customs. Family-based staff will not buy, sell, or exchange goods or services (including pets) with clients.

Expenditures


9. Expenditures for each family will be approved by your agency and correspond with professional goals.

Transportation


10. Parental permission is required prior to transporting children. Family-based workers must adhere to agency policies regarding personal car insurance and transporting of clients.

Gifts and Cards


11. Homemade gifts are often offered by families as gestures of pride, acceptance, and appreciation. Cards and homemade children’s pictures, drawings are acceptable. These articles are self-esteem building for children to show their work. Small gifts (under $5.00) can be accepted if it is therapeutically appropriate. No expensive gifts will be accepted. Be aware of cultural values and customs. All gifts should be reported to your supervisor.

Financial Transactions


12. It is acceptable to purchase school or community sponsored merchandise, such as Girl Scout cookies, Christmas wreaths, coupon books, etc., from clients. Be sure to be fair and equitable when agreeing to do this for each family member. Reasonable attempts must be made to protect client confidentiality. However, family-based service workers should not sell anything to clients.

No money will be lent or borrowed between family-based workers and clients.
Personal Issues


13. If and when family-based services workers are experiencing a personal or family crisis, they will seek appropriate resources to assist them with these issues. Family-based services workers will recognize and be aware of how personal issues, such as marital problems, physical and mental health problems, death, financial difficulties, and alcohol/drug use, will affect the quality of their work. It is the responsibility of the family-based services worker to address these personal issues in a professional manner by seeking the appropriate intervention/strategy/treatment.

It is the family-based services worker’s responsibility to staff cases in which they are experiencing difficulty, such as feeling stuck, feeling angry, losing sleep, or dreaming about.

Boundaries in Office


14. All conversations concerning clients will be done discreetly and privately. Adhere to confidentiality. Be cognizant of the waiting/coffee areas as a busy place where discussing clients is inappropriate.

When clients want to use the telephone, ensure their privacy by providing a private office to do so.

Client identifying information should not be used on cellular phones.

Case files will be stored in locked cabinets. Do not leave identifying information in view of another person.

Working files will be kept in a secure place - locked in the office, at home, in the car, etc.

Documentation


15. Case documentation will be kept current according to your agency’s policy. Case notes will coincide with the treatment/service plan and billing record.

Supervision


16. When a family-based worker is challenged with an ethical or boundary issue, ALWAYS staff with group, seek supervision, and seek direction.

Termination


17. Family-based services cases will be terminated based on goal achievement or referral to other resources. Family-based services workers will work consistently with the family and referral system’s goals.
(go to top of page)

President's Message


By: Timothy Monroe, ACSW
The Michigan Home-Based Family Services Association held their annual board retreat July 30 and 31, at the Grand Harbor Resort in Spring Lake. Once we got past the "toughness" of the setting, the warm and sunny weather and the yachts that got in the way, we were able to get some productive work accomplished.

This year's retreat was well attended. Nine board members participated along with three new recruits. The state was well represented with participants from both public and private agencies providing home-based services throughout the lower peninsula. Administrators along with practitioners were present which resulted in a nice cross section of input.

The primary purposes of the annual retreat was to reflect on the vitality of the Association, evaluate how we did this past year in meeting our objectives and to establish a plan for next year. Changing the Guard:

1999 has been a year that presented some significant changes in leadership for the MHBFSA. Board Vice President, Lynn Heemstra, and At Large Board member, Terry Mehran, resigned from the board due to career changes that limited their ability to be involved. Both Lynn and Terry made significant contributions to the Association. Their leadership will be missed. Following a career shift, board member Dondi Pierce also resigned. We appreciated the presence that Dondi gave us from the north western part of the state. Her willingness to drive many miles to participate was remarkable.

To fill these vacancies, Joyce Weller (Ingham Counseling Center, Lansing), Tracy Bobo (Arbor Circle, Grand Rapids) and Jeff Greshak (Bethany, Allegan County) have been nominated for board seats. Two board seats remain unfilled. We hope to have the slate completed at the Annual Conference in October. What about you????

Our Mission: Evaluating and reinforcing the vitality
(go to top of page)

MHBFSA Annual Conference
Celebrating Families
October 6, 7 and 8th
Novi Hilton

Marion Lindbald-Goldberg & Terry Tafoya
Hotel Reservations: call 1-800 -HILTON or 248-349-4000
(Rooms $99 per night)
(Make reservations by September 17th : Credit card needed to hold room past 4:00 pm on date of arrival)

Questions, please contact the Training Committee's Co-chairs, Laura Johnson-Hughes at (313) 871-237, ext. 249 or Lynne

(go to top of page)

Dear Practice,
Dear Practice,

I've been contemplating the current buzz about the year 2000. This has led me to question what changes may occur for the families we serve and home-based services in general. As a member of the Michigan Home-Based Family Services Association, I was wondering what is the Association's vision for the new millennium?

Wondering in 1999

Dear Wondering,

Rather than answer for the Association I polled the Michigan Home-Based Family Services Association board members for their vision. The following are their comments. I hope this provides some insight into the Associations future.

Char Beedle, CEI Community Mental Health

Home-based workers have just begun to experiment with the many roles they can have in our communities. Some of our thoughts at Family Guidance:

Ongoing research will continue to confirm the efficacy of home and community-based services.

Collaboration will continue to increase among courts, schools, FIAs, CMHs, and private agencies, with more joint initiatives and more flexible funding. Home-based workers will reach more families by doing outreach into schools and community centers and doing more group work with kids and families.

Home-based workers will be more involved in public education around current issues, such as violence in schools.

There will be more focus on stability and safe places for kids and families, more emphasis on relationship-building at the family, neighborhood and community level. Home-based workers will provide a model for traditional outpatient services who will do more outreach to families, schools, community centers.
 Steve Eckert, Bethany Christian Services

In this information age, people will be spending more and more time processing information on computers. The result of this will likely be an increased demand for services to families that occur out of the traditional office setting. We are likely to see a vast array of services being "brought" to the families.
MHBFSA has a long tradition of training and setting standards for the home based "industry" , our roles is likely to continue to be a resource, both live (via training) and electronically via our web site. Equipping practitioners with skills and practical advice is a role MHBFSA is likely to fill.

As our membership expands, it is likely that a more regional flavor will take shape within MHBFSA. I can envision a time when a region may do a training of its own, or develop their own computer network for case consultation and support.

Computers will soon be as common as color tv, so perhaps we well see more communication with families and workers occurring over the Internet. Setting up appointments and maybe providing some crisis intervention will occur via this electronic conduit.

Jill Peck, Highfields Inc.

When I thought of how the MHBFSA would respond in the year 2000 and beyond it made me realize that this Association is already Y2K compliant. By that I mean, just the fact that there is an association for Home-based workers is already ahead of its time. The rebirth of providing services in the home is a full circle return to were social service providers where at the turn of the last century. Well yes, things are different now, travel and communication has changed dramatically but one thing remains constant, families need support. In that respect I feel the Association and home-based services are on the right track - far ahead of the pack in being prepared for life in the 21st century.
(go to top of page)
When my son was 3 1/2 years old he told me he didn’t want me to be a "so-so worker" because it was dangerous. His interpretation of my daily work made him feel that working in a store would be better. My interpretation of him being unable to say the work "social", serves as a reminder to go out and offer the best services that I can.

When my client tells me on Tuesday that they will bag up all of the wet clothes from the basement floor and on Wednesday they report that they couldn’t because a neighbor borrowed their broom?!?!?!? I still have to offer the best services. When the pager goes off four times before 7:15 a.m. on the day I am taking flex-time...I still think about giving the best services that I can.

We all know...it is not every day that we feel like actively listening, or using positive reinforcement, reframing or helping someone to problem solve, again, and again. But every day I do want to be treated with respect and dignity, and I want to be heard and validated, so do our clients. So I get up in the morning, take a hopeful look at my own crises card, and go out with the idea of giving my best, and not just being a so-so worker.

--De Murphy— Families First worker with Lutheran Social Services of Michigan in Lansing.
De is a Families First Worker with Lutheran Social Services of Michigan in Lansing. She has been a Families First Worker for five years, or 1,852 days. She is currently working with her 98th Families First client.
(go to top of page)

Call for Articles
The Public Education Committee is seeking papers for publication in upcoming issues of Practice. Articles are being sought on a variety of subjects including: success stories, innovative techniques, humor, time management tips, book or article reviews, questions for Dear Practice and cartoons. Submissions should be 2-3 double spaced pages.

Please share your experiences with other home-based workers by sending an article to the fax number or e-mail address listed below.

If your submission is printed as the lead article in Practice you will receive free admission to the Annual Conference.

· Gillian Peck: Fax-(517) 628-3421 or

· Lynn Heemstra: e-mail -lynnh@arborcircle.org
(go to top of page)

With the school year upon us many home-based workers will be called upon to assist with a family's reintegration into the school. Listed below are some tips that can be offered as part of a school behavior plan for active children. Always remember that it is important that the parent be involved in and supportive of any plan that is implemented.

Schedule and allow the active child some movement during seat work.

Allow high protein snacks and frequent water breaks.

Inform the child verbally of their boundaries for moving in the room; develop a visual reminder system if necessary.

Give the child specific tasks which allow the child movement: taking the attendance sheet and announcements to the office, deliver library books, raise and lower the flag, help watering the plants, opening and closing windows, etc.

Allow the child to use the computer for written assignments and correction of spelling errors.

Grades could be given on what is correct versus what is wrong.

During field trips, pair the child with a volunteer or an adult. Explain to the volunteer specific expectations and discipline strategies that are to be used. Have the child hold a Koosh Ball so that she or he has something to manipulate.

Physical Education Class can be very stressful and distracting. Give the child some responsibility to be the score keeper or hand out
equipment. Keep the child close to the PE teacher and perhaps pair the child with a peer. Anticipate dangerous situations; children who are impulsive cannot immediately predict the consequences of their actions.


Revised from SCHOOL DAZE: Tips For a Successful School Year for the Disorganized, Active Child by S. Kim Bogue and Ann Mercer, Olson Huff Center for Child Development, Asheville, North Carolina.
(go to top of page)

President's Award: 1999

Time for nominations!
Like these happy home-based workers, your co-worker or agency could be he proud recipient of the MHBFSA Presidents' Award.

New this year is a Family of the Year Award. The procedure for submitting applications is the same as for the President's Award. In addition to choosing the award winner, ten families will be offered free attendance at the Annual conference in October. Agencies submitting names for the Family Award will be expected to assist the family with transportation and lodging expenses.

For information on how to apply see the following ad. Hurry the deadline for applicants is October 1st.
(go to top of page)

Update from Membership
At the strategic planning meeting of the Board, the membership committee set its sights on goals for the next year. First, and foremost is to grow the membership. Our current membership is approximately 230 members. We are wanting to grow this number by 15% so we will be looking for roughly 35 new members. Please help by spreading the word and getting potential member’s names to us.

At our annual meeting, we had an opportunity to look back at some of the things we have accomplished over the past year. Your membership committee has computerized our mailing lists and removed obsolete information, developed a new brochure, created new member packets and reviewed the potential for more and different merchandise being available at the conference.

The committee wants to provide merchandise at the conference that you will find useful and attractive. We have offered T-shirts and coffee mugs at past conferences. This year, you can look forward to seeing a few more items available for purchase. Among items being considered: Sweatshirts and desktop accessories with the Home Based logo. We look forward to your response to these new items.

 

Return to the Archive Page

 

(go to top of page)

The Newsletter of the Michigan Home-Based
Family Services Association (MHBFSA)

Published Periodically

Editor

Gillian C. Peck
Highfields, Inc.
3400 S. Cedar St., Suite 201
Lansing, MI 48910
Email: gpeck@highfields.org

Back to Main Page
Current Newsletter
Join MHBFSA Membership
 By-Laws