People in the helping profession must always be mindful of the ethical standards of their profession. Standards change from time to time; therefore, it is important to refresh on the commitments they are responsible for upholding as a professional. It is also our responsibility to be culturally compliant in the services we provide. Race, ethnicity, and cultural background may influence a client's identity and life circumstances. Other factors, such as gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability may also play into the context of a given client's mental health, and relational or personal issues.

This course blends didactic material with interactive and small group exercises to help understand your ethical responsibility while delivering services to diverse communities. We will review relevant ethical standards, discuss common issues and missteps, and give you opportunities to test your knowledge.

Training Objectives:
• Define the concept of ethics and how it applies to working with and delivering series to diverse populations, within the helping profession.
• Gain an understanding of the need for ethical cultural competency.
• Define how drug policies have harmed minority communities and why that is important to understand when treating people with substance use disorder.
• Identify steps in a process for ethical decision-making.

About the Trainer:

Darla Belflower LCSW, CPS

Darla has worked in leadership in the substance use disorder and behavioral health fields for over three decades. She is currently the Clinical Director at Healing House. She has a passion for teaching others what she has learned in those years. She is Vice Chair of the KC Recovery Coalition, serves on the board of the MO Coalition of Recovery Support Providers and is a member of The MO Department of Mental Health State Advisory Council. Darla obtained her MSW from the KU, and she has a BS in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies from MO Valley College. Darla is a person in recovery and author of the book, “I Am Not Anonymous.”