Family Connection of Easton, Inc.

c/o Cheston Elementary School723 Coal Street, Easton, PA 18042Phone: (610) 829-5819 ext. 35075 Fax: (610) 923-6046Email: familyconnection18042@yahoo.comwww.eastonsd.org/fc

Creating a compassionate community where all children and families have the opportunity to achieve academic and personal success

CODE OF ETHICS

PREAMBLEThis code of ethics is the policy of Family Connection and expresses fundamental values; accordingly,this code guides the conduct of all employees and representatives of Family Connection and shapes theworking environment. Family Connection staff has a personal commitment to integrity in allcircumstances.We are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, andother forms of social injustice.Family Connection enhances the capacity of people to address their own needs and promotes theresponsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs andsocial problems.ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

I. Responsibility to Children

Childhood is a unique and valuable stage in the life cycle. Our paramount responsibility is to providesafe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive settings for children. We are committed to supporting children’sdevelopment, respecting individual differences, helping children learn to live and work cooperatively, and promoting health, self-awareness, competence, self-worth, and resiliency.Family Connection:

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Bases program delivery on best practices in the field of child development, childhood care, andeducation and advances knowledge through continuing education and in-service training.

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Bases program practices on the particular knowledge and interests of each child.

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Recognizes and respects the uniqueness and potential of each child.

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Appreciates the special vulnerability of children.

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Creates and maintains a safe and healthy setting that fosters children’s social, emotional,intellectual, and physical development and that welcomes their contributions and maintainstheir dignity.

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Supports the right of each child to play and learn in inclusive programs to the fullest extent possible according to industry best practices.

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Ensures that children with disabilities or any learning, social, or emotional difficulty haveaccess to appropriate and convenient support services and advocates for the resourcesnecessary to provide the most appropriate settings for all children.

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Recognizes that children are part of the larger community and encourages them to participatein community activities and to play and work cooperatively.

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Trains staff to recognize the symptoms of child abuse, including physical, sexual, verbal, andemotional abuse and neglect.

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Follows state laws and community procedures that protect children against abuse and neglect.

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Reports suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate community agency when there isreasonable cause to suspect such abuse or neglect, follows up to ensure that appropriate actionhas been taken, and notifies parents or guardians that the referral has been made whenappropriate.

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Supports others who report suspected child abuse or neglect and encourages adequate protection for abused and neglected children.

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Does not engage in physical contact with program participants when there is a possibility of psychological harm as a result of the contact.

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Sets clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern physical contact.

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Does not use derogatory language in written or verbal communication about program participants, but rather uses accurate and respectful language in all communications to andabout program participants.

II. Responsibility to Families

Families are of primary importance in children’s development. Because families in the Easton AreaSchool District and Family Connection have a common interest in each child’s welfare, we acknowledgea primary responsibility to bring about collaboration between the home and school in ways that enhancechildren’s development.Family Connection:

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Provides services to clients in the context of a professional relationship based on validinformed consent.

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Uses clear and understandable language to inform program participants of the purpose of services.

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Provides program participants with an opportunity to ask questions.

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Ensures client’s comprehension when program participants are not literate or have difficultyunderstanding the primary language used.

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Develops relationships of mutual trust.

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Acknowledges and builds upon strengths and competencies as we support families in their task of nurturing children.

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Respects the dignity of each family and its culture, language, customs, and beliefs.

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Respects families’ childrearing values and their right to make decisions for their children.

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Helps families understand and appreciate the value of developmentally-appropriate childhood practices.

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Helps families improve their understanding of their children’s development and enhances their skills as parents.

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Participates in building support networks for families by providing them with opportunities tointeract with program staff, other families, community resources, and professional services.

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Informs families of program philosophy and policies.

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Involves families in significant decisions affecting their child.

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Obtains informed consent before audiotaping, videotaping, or photographing program participants.

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Seeks to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, color,religion, creed, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexualorientation, disability, political beliefs, or family or social background.

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Respects program participants’ right to privacy and does not solicit private information unlessit is essential to providing services.

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Does not engage in sexual or physical contact with program participants, their relatives, or individuals with whom they have a close personal relationship.

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Sets clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern physical contact.

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Does not use derogatory language in written or verbal communication about program participants, but uses accurate and respectful language in all communications to and about program participants.

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Informs program participants of appropriate options for the continuation of services and of the benefits and risks of the options when services with Family Connection are terminated.

III. Responsibility to and among Colleagues

Family Connection employees:

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Meet performance standards as stated in the employee handbook.

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Encourage growth and self-improvement in themselves and their co-workers, other professionals, and program participants.

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Exhibit respect for, and value the contributions of, all co-workers and all those withwhom they come in contact.

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Freely express opinions.

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Make decisions consistent with Family Connection’s mission statement.

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Comply with all legal requirements.

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Learn as much as possible about the organization and its programs and ask questions toclarify uncertainties.

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Refuse to engage in or tolerate any fraud, misuse, abuse, or waste of FamilyConnection’s or the Easton Area School District’s resources.

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Respect and treat all co-workers and all other individuals fairly regardless of race,color, religion, creed, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran status,sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, or family or social background.