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Department of Labor and Workforce Development
 
Vocational Rehabilitation

1.0 Ethics

Table of Contents

Reference:

AS § 39.52, the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act

Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification 

Effective: September 15, 2021

Revised:

Duane Mayes signature

Approved: ___________________________________     Date: 09/15/2021

                   Duane G. Mayes, Director

Policy

All Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (ADVR) employees are responsible for conducting themselves in an ethical manner in compliance with State statutes and professional regulations in the implementation of the public rehabilitation program.  Each ADVR employee must accept responsibility for ensuring the principles of honesty, objectivity, confidentiality, and veracity are incorporated into the operation of the Alaska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program.  These principles, in addition to sound judgment, and personal and professional integrity, should be integrated into all ADVR employees’ daily performance.

1.0 Summary

A summary of the legal requirements for ethical behavior of ADVR employees is as follows:

  1. All ADVR employees must adhere to the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors as developed by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). All State of Alaska and ADVR employees must adhere to the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act (AS § 39.52). The basic objective of the Ethics Act and the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors is to promote public welfare and trust by specifying ethical behavior expected of public employees and ADVR employees.

  2. ADVR employees may not use their position for personal gain and employees shall not financially benefit from decisions made under the authority of ADVR.

  3. ADVR employees may not use their official positions to secure employment or contracts.

  4. ADVR employees may not accept nor solicit pay from anyone other than the State of Alaska for performance of official duties or take or withhold official action on a matter in which they have a personal or financial interest.

  5. ADVR employees may not work for a person, business, or organization other than ADVR if that work is incompatible or in conflict with the proper discharge of their official duties.

  6. ADVR employees are prohibited from using State time, equipment, property, or facilities for their own personal or financial benefit.

  7. ADVR employees may not intentionally give unwarranted benefit or treatment to any person.

  8. ADVR employees will not enter into non-professional relationships with individuals served by ADVR.

  9. An ADVR supervisor may not coerce subordinates for their own personal or financial benefit, or require an employee to perform services for the private benefit of the supervisor.

  10. ADVR employees may not solicit or accept gifts that benefit their own personal or financial interests if it can be reasonably inferred that the gift is intended to influence the employee’s official action or judgment.

  11. ADVR employees may not accept gifts or tips from any individual applying for, receiving services from, or providing services to ADVR.

  12. ADVR employees may not take part in a political campaign while in official work status or during official work hours.

  13. ADVR employees will not use confidential records for personal reasons.

  14. All case service information is to be used strictly for the purpose of the individual’s rehabilitation and shall be accessed only by those ADVR employees involved in the individual’s rehabilitation.

  15. All case service records for ADVR employees or an ADVR employee’s immediate family members will be accessible only to the specific staff necessary for the provision of services.

  16. An ADVR employee will not make ADVR purchases (case services or other purchases) from an immediate family member, or an immediate family member of anyone who resides in the employee’s residence, or from a business owned or controlled by such an individual.

2.0 Definitions

In the scope of this Policy, the following definitions apply:                                          

Immediate family member: A spouse of the person; a significant other living in the same household; a child, including a stepchild or an adoptive child, of the person; a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin of the person; or a parent or sibling of the person’s spouse.

ADVR Employee: Means any person employed by the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in a permanent, probationary, seasonal, temporary, provisional, or non-permanent status, whether in the classified, partially exempt, or exempt service; or others, including but not limited to individuals performing volunteer work within the Division, and student interns.

Gift: "Gifts" include money, services, loans, travel, entertainment, hospitality, and employment, and any other item or action of value.

3.0 Exceptions

Any exception to Policy must be approved by the Chief of Rehabilitation Services or their designee.