Preamble
POWER’s Code of Ethics, rooted in our mission, serves as a code of ethical conduct for staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, volunteers and interns.  Our primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of women and their families by providing gender-specific alcohol and other drug treatment and recovery support services.  As a member of POWER, I acknowledge and affirm my commitment to uphold the following principles.

Respect for Others ~
We treat each person in a caring manner, respectful of race, sex, creed, age, sexual orientation, physical, mental or emotional disability.

Responsible Choice ~
We respect client choice and encourage changes in the lives of clients that promote healthy responses to the problems that brought them to POWER without imposing our personal values.

Empowerment ~
We use our influence with women and their families only to further the recovery process.  We encourage each client’s independence and empowerment.

Confidentiality ~
We respect the right to privacy and confidentiality of women and their families.  We release information only to other POWER or collaborating professionals as required by treatment, when specifically authorized by the client, or when actions or potential actions pose an imminent risk to self or others.

Role Model ~
We serve as responsible role models in our personal behavior and in our use of alcohol and other drugs.  If we have been chemically dependent in the past, we maintain total abstinence during our association with POWER

Professionalism~
We maintain a professional and positive attitude at all times.  We are respectful of our colleagues through our speech and behavior, and when we have differences with one another, we work them out in an honest, mature and direct manner.

Dual Relationship ~
We understand that a professional relationship requires that we not enter into other business, financial, social, sexual or sponsor relationships with clients for at least 5 years after discharge from our programs.  We recognize the need to maintain this code of ethics in all future interactions with women and their families, always keeping foremost our concern for their best interests.

Integrity ~
We do not participate in dishonesty, fraud or deception.  Further, we do not condone these behaviors in others and we accept our responsibility to discourage, prevent, expose and correct the unethical conduct of others. 

Concern for Colleagues ~
Because of the nature of the work and the possible impact on staff, we make a commitment to each other to acknowledge to a colleague when it seems that she or he may be experiencing compassion fatigue.  We also exhibit responsible concern for the well-being of our colleagues by not ignoring signs of relapse or its possibility.

Competency ~
We remain aware of our own skills and limitations.  We provide services only within the boundaries of our education, training, license, credentials or other relevant professional experience. 

Professional Development ~
We accept responsibility for our continuing education and professional development as part of our commitment to providing quality care. 

Advocacy ~
We advocate for the de-stigmatization of addiction, for its recognition as a disease and for adequate resources for prevention, education, intervention, treatment and support services for POWER and for all those united in this cause.

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