Discussion Ethics In Implementing Changeissues That Affect The Human ✓ Solved

Discussion: Ethics in Implementing Change Issues that affect the human and social services profession and society often involve ethical considerations. For example, access to services may be dependent on meeting criteria that favor one group over another. Should this situation raise ethical concerns? If so, where do you find guidance on how to address the ethical issue? As an interdisciplinary field, many different codes of ethics may be applied to issues related to human services.

Selecting the appropriate code depends on the nature of the issue, as well as on your position or role within human services. Along with the codes of ethics, Kitchener (1984) identified five core principles that can guide ethical decision making across disciplines. These core principles include autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity. As a human and social services professional, you should keep these core principles in mind in your everyday work. For this Discussion, you consider ethical concerns that may be associated with your Capstone Project issue.Families led by women that are homeless (Natasha House, Inc.) Reference: Kitchener, K.

S. (1984). Intuition, critical evaluation and ethical principles: The foundation for ethical decisions in counseling psychology. Counseling Psychologist, 12(3), 43–55. To prepare: The Capstone Project is about the Natasha House. The Natasha House provides physical, emotional, educational, and pscyhological help to homeless women and their children.

Think about any ethical considerations related to this issue. Then, review professional codes of ethics that you have explored throughout your program (such as those from the National Organization for Human Services and others provided in this week’s Learning Resources), and consider their role in guiding the implementation of both professional and societal change. With these thoughts in mind: By Day 4 Post a brief description of the professional or societal issue you selected. Explain any ethical concerns that might be associated with the issue. Then, identify a professional code of ethics, and explain how it might be used to guide your action in addressing the issue.

Be specific. References Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

Chapter 8, “Powerful Planning†(pp. 206–231) Mayne, J. J. (2015). Useful theory of change models. The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 30(2), 119–142.

Segal, L., Sara Opie, R., &namp; Dalziel, K. (2012). Theory! The missing link in understanding the performance of neonate/infant home-visiting programs to prevent child maltreatment: A systematic review. Milbank Quarterly, 90(1), 47–106. doi:10.1111/j..2011.00655.x. Wasserman, D.

L. (2010). Using a systems orientation and foundational theory to enhance theory-driven human service program evaluations. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33(2), 67–80. The Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) Code of Ethics. (2011). Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 3(2), 1–21.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2009e). Social change, leadership, and advocacy [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Paper for above instructions

Ethics in Implementing Change: Addressing Homelessness for Women and Families

Description of the Issue: Natasha House Inc.

The issue selected for this discussion pertains to the challenges faced by Natasha House, Inc., which provides a spectrum of services to homeless women and their children. Specifically, this facility focuses on addressing the physical, emotional, educational, and psychological needs of families led by women who find themselves homeless (Homan, 2016). This issue is pertinent as the number of homeless women and children continues to grow, raising significant ethical considerations about equity, justice, and access to services, which may vary depending on societal factors like race, socioeconomic status, and housing policy.

Ethical Concerns

The ethical concerns associated with the services offered by Natasha House and similar organizations can be framed around several key aspects:
1. Access to Services: As noted, access to services often relies on specific eligibility criteria that may inadvertently favor certain groups over others, thus raising ethical concerns regarding fairness and inclusivity. Homelessness is not a uniform experience; it intersects with race, class, and gender, necessitating a broadened approach to service provision that ensures all women and children receive equitable support (Mayne, 2015).
2. Autonomy: Women's autonomy can be compromised in situations of homelessness. Ethical decision-making would require professionals to respect these women’s agency while also providing them with options regarding their care and support (Kitchener, 1984). Empowering clients through informed decision-making is crucial in maintaining their dignity.
3. Justice and Fairness: According to the justice principle, all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, deserve fair treatment and equal access to resources. This raises the question: Are current systems inherently biased against specific demographics? Steps must be taken to ensure that changes to service delivery do not perpetuate existing inequities (Wasserman, 2010).
4. Benefit vs. Nonmaleficence: Professionals must grapple with the challenge of ensuring that the interventions designed for homeless women yield significant benefits without causing further harm. This balancing act is essential in facilitating a supportive and nurturing environment for vulnerable populations (Segal, Opie, & Dalziel, 2012).
5. Fidelity: Ensuring that the commitment made to clients is upheld is another ethical consideration. This involves consistently delivering on promises of help and not allowing the organizational challenges or societal stigma surrounding homelessness to compromise the quality of service provided (Homan, 2016).

Guidance from Professional Ethics Codes

To effectively navigate these ethical complexities, human and social services professionals can utilize established codes of ethics. One pertinent code is the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) Code of Ethics. This code emphasizes the importance of advocacy for social justice and the commitment to the dignity and worth of all individuals (NOHS, 2015).
##### Application of the NOHS Code of Ethics
1. Advocacy for Clients: The NOHS Code advocates for social and economic justice, which is particularly relevant for organizations like Natasha House. Professionals are encouraged to address systemic barriers that contribute to homelessness, facilitating changes in policy that ensure women and children have equitable access to necessary services (Homan, 2016).
2. Continuous Professional Development: The code calls for ongoing education regarding cultural competence, which is vital for understanding the diverse experiences of homeless women and their children. By applying the principles outlined in the code, professionals can better tailor their services to meet the unique needs of this population (Laureate Education, 2009).
3. Collaboration and Community Engagement: The ethical code also promotes collaboration with community stakeholders. Engaging local governments, social service agencies, and advocacy groups can help build a network of support for homeless families led by women. This holistic approach is aligned with the principles of social justice and community welfare.
4. Ethical Decision-Making Framework: Utilizing Kitchener's (1984) principles can further enhance the ethical decision-making process. For instance, when faced with decisions that prioritize resource allocation, professionals should consider not only effectiveness (beneficence) but also the potential for harm (nonmaleficence) and fairness (justice).
5. Accountability and Transparency: Finally, the importance of accountability is underscored in the NOHS Code. Transparency in decision-making processes can enhance community trust and foster a collaborative atmosphere where feedback from clients can lead to improved service delivery (Wasserman, 2010).

Conclusion

As human and social services professionals engage with the critical issue of homelessness among families led by women, grappling with ethical considerations is essential for effective practice. The principles outlined in established codes such as the NOHS Code of Ethics provide a robust framework for addressing these dilemmas. By keeping the core tenets of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity at the forefront of their work, professionals can advocate for and support vulnerable populations more effectively.
The ongoing dialogue surrounding ethics in services like those provided by Natasha House is vital to ensuring that all women and children receive the care and resources they need to achieve stability and empowerment.

References

- Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
- Kitchener, K. S. (1984). Intuition, critical evaluation and ethical principles: The foundation for ethical decisions in counseling psychology. Counseling Psychologist, 12(3), 43–55.
- Mayne, J. J. (2015). Useful theory of change models. The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 30(2), 119–142.
- Segal, L., Opie, S., & Dalziel, K. (2012). Theory! The missing link in understanding the performance of neonate/infant home-visiting programs to prevent child maltreatment: A systematic review. Milbank Quarterly, 90(1), 47–106.
- Wasserman, D. L. (2010). Using a systems orientation and foundational theory to enhance theory-driven human service program evaluations. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33(2), 67–80.
- National Organization for Human Services (NOHS). (2015). National Organization for Human Services ethical standards. Retrieved from [NOHS website].
- The Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) Code of Ethics. (2011). Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 3(2), 1–21.
- Laureate Education (Producer). (2009). Social change, leadership, and advocacy [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.