Code of Conduct Coded
Name 3 Codes of Conduct
1-15
Name the three options for youth to report grievances, concerns, rights violations, etc.
Resource phone
Grievance Box
Verbal disclosure
How much time needs to pass before a missing youth is considered AWOL?
4 hours
Bonus question: what is it called when a youth is missing but less than 4 hours have passed?
Staff overhears two youths arguing over who gets to go next to use the washing machine. Staff heard Youth 1 say, "I'm gonna f*** you up!" Youth 2 walked away, so Staff decided not to intervene and cause more commotion. If it were you...would you have done anything differently?
Staff should have intervened sooner when they heard threats being made. Staff could have made attempts to deescalate and/or offer alternative solutions to the problem.
What are the expected outcomes of a substantiated violation of the Code of Conduct?
Employees subject to consequences up to and including termination of employment!
Who should you notify if a client discloses concerns of rights violations?
Sam, Val, or your supervisors
YTS: Once it is discovered or confirmed that a youth has gone missing, how much time before it needs to be reported to supervisors and case managers?
Case Management/Admin: Is AWOL considered an Emergency SIR or Non-Emergency SIR?
YTS: 1 hour
CM/Admin: Emergency SIR
A youth shows staff that he has a vintage pocketknife that was gifted to him by his late grandfather in home country. He says it is his most prized possession and swears he would never use it to hurt anyone. Staff feels that it would be a rights violation to take it from him, so they don't mention it to anyone. If it were you, would you have acted differently?
I hope so! A pocketknife would be considered contraband because it could be used as a weapon to harm someone. Case management can hold onto this item for safekeeping while the youth is in the program.
Roberto (client) tells you he wants to buy a birthday present for Amber (staff) and that they've become really close friends. Roberto tells you that he hopes Amber will let him live with her when he turns 18. Is this a Code of Conduct violation? Why or why not?
No. Youth cannot violate the staff code of conduct.
Josef (client) tells Jess (staff) that he is going to report her for not letting him go to Craig's Cruisers because he did not go to school that day. Jess tells Josef that that is not what the grievance box is for and he should not write the report. Is Jess following proper reporting protocol?
No! Youth have the right to submit a report or grievance for any reason. Jess can offer alternative solutions, but staff can never dissuade a client from reporting anything.
What are some warning signs that a youth may be thinking about running away? (Name at least 3 to receive full points)
Giving away possessions, acting more withdrawn, asking about public transportation, expressing fear of a person, expressing anxiety about case, expressing anxiety about money or earnings
Edgar (youth) takes a hard crash into a tree riding a bike. When he gets up he has shooting pain in his left leg and cannot put any weight on it. It is Saturday at 2pm. What steps should staff take?
Call on call nursing, follow their guidance, take youth to urgent care or emergency room
Sarah (staff) tells you during a shift that she has a "weird feeling" about Alyssa (staff) and thinks that she pushes boundaries with clients. Sarah says that she saw Alyssa put her arm around a youth's shoulder. She worries because Alyssa spends a lot of one on one time with clients. Is anyone breaking Code of Conduct here?
Sarah is if she does not report, per CoC #9, requiring us to report knowledge or suspicion of inappropriate sexual behaviors.
Ismael (youth) tells Jordan (staff) that he feels his rights were violated because staff didn't take him to Mosque a few days ago because there were not enough staff on shift. Jordan is not sure if this is a rights violation, so she informs her supervisor about the conversation and requests guidance. Was this an appropriate response from Jordan?
Yes, this was an appropriate response from Jordan. If staff are ever unsure about whether or not to report a concern, they can always speak to supervisors, Sam (QA), or Val (PD) for guidance and clarification.
What can you (staff) do if you encounter the AWOL youth during your search of the vicinity?
Make efforts to verbally deescalate, encourage youth to return to the home. If efforts to deescalate or return to the unit fail, give youth a final warning that you are going to disengage, and return to unit without youth.
Jacob (youth) tells staff that Humberto (youth) drew a gang symbol on his chest at school. Sarah (staff) knows that the house rules prohibit gang symbolism or artwork, so she suggests to her coworker that they ask Humberto to lift his shirt to confirm the symbol is there. If you were Sarah's coworker...what would you do?
It is prohibited to ask youths to remove clothing or expose themselves. The presence of a gang symbol on their body, though not accepted or appropriate, does not constitute a safety threat.
Name 3 DIFFERENT Codes of Conduct
1-15
Staff overhear two youths fighting in the short hallway. When staff approach, Youth 1 tells staff that Youth 2 groped him and after telling him to stop, he did not. What is the first step staff should take to address this situation?
Separate the youth and briefly assess for immediate emotional and physical safety.
What is the next step that staff should take? x5
Describe the proper procedure (step by step) for when a youth returns from AWOL
Before youth enters the unit, perform a pat down search.
Call supervisors, case managers, and clinician to inform them of the youth's return.
Youth 1 returns from AWOL and before entering the unit, you see what appears to be a weapon sticking out of his pocket. It is 3pm on a Thursday. If it were you...what would you do?
If the youth is emotionally escalated, immediately make attempts to verbally deescalate.
Make efforts to apprehend the weapon by asking the youth to turn it over to staff.
As soon as possible, call police.
Call Home supervisor(s), assigned case manager, and clinician.
Abandon situation if safety threats emerge and ensure safety of staff and clients present. Do NOT allow clients to leave the building if the armed youth is outside.