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Code of Ethics
RRAF has established Codes of Ethics to guide the actions of staff, board members, and the individuals
served and their representatives.
It is the goal of RRAF to provide an example for other human service, non-profit agencies, by establishing a
high standard of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct. RRAF intends to create an
environment that fosters ethical conduct, where no employee will ever feel the need to compromise
personal integrity to help achieve the mission of the agency.
Each new staff and board member will be required to review and sign the pertinent code, indicating
acceptance of it. Any staff member who violates one of the agency’s Codes of Ethics may face corrective
action. Board action may be taken with any board member who violates the Code of Ethics.
By signing RRAF’s Code of Ethics, I, as a board member, employee, volunteer, or consultant of RRAF, affirm
that all principles, therein, will be upheld to the fullest.
Standard of Conduct – Individuals Receiving Services:
1. Individuals receiving services must always be treated with the highest degree of respect and dignity,
regardless of disability or other potential deficit areas.
2. Individuals receiving services give up no legal rights when they join RRAF. Hence, an individual’s
legal rights must be respected at all times.
3. Services must center on individualized needs, preferences, and desired outcomes and individuals
must be given continuous opportunities for input into their service planning process. Services
needed and desired will be laid out in a Service Plan, clearly detailing each individual’s goals, their
methodologies, any risk factors staff need to be aware of, and other general information.
4. Services will be offered in a dignified, age appropriate, and enhancing way at all times. Each
individual will be seen as unique with varied interests and aptitudes, and individuals will not be
grouped together on the basis of label, functioning level, or convenience of support.
5. All individuals served by RRAF will be treated equally, being given not only genuine interest by all
members of their support team, but also whatever techniques, implementation strategies, or choice
options they need in order to ensure their best interests are taken into account, enabling them to help
themselves as able.
6. Natural settings and situations will be stressed, minimizing artificiality or restrictiveness.
Standard of Conduct – Staff:
1. I will strive to speak to everyone in a friendly, positive, mature, and courteous way. I will support a
quiet, calm environment with soft, slow talking, and the minimum amount of talking or interaction
possible in order to accommodate those with sensory needs. I will work with all individuals as
instructed and equally regardless of the level of disability.
2. I will support a work atmosphere that is open, non-secretive, and transparent in all respects possible,
while being mindful of the need for confidentiality.
3. I will support the decisions of management. I may state my position, but ultimately staff member
must follow management’s final decision.
4. I will be loyal to the agency. I will refrain from doing anything that might bring discredit to the agency
by violating DHS standards, by breeching peer confidentiality, or by personal behavior which violates
law.
5. I will carefully consider the public perception of my personal and professional actions, and the effect
my actions could have on RRAF’s reputation in my community and elsewhere.
6. I will not engage in any sexually related behavior with an individual served by RRAF with or without
consent, but will maintain a professional approach, utilizing the least amount of physical touch
needed at any point in time. Sexually related behavior will include such behaviors as sexual jokes;
sexual remarks; sexual kidding or teasing; sexual innuendo; pressure for dates of sexual favors;
inappropriate physical touching, kissing, or grabbing; rape; threats or physical harm; and sexual
assault.
7. I will make reasonable efforts to communicate to families/representatives information which should
be revealed in the interest of the individual receiving services.
8. I will endeavor to understand the community cultures, religions, and diverse home environments of
those we serve. I understand that my personal views regarding such issues are my own and will not
be imposed on or shared with individuals served by RRAF. I must support each individual within thei
own life experience.
9. I will distinguish between personal views and the views of RRAF.
10. I will keep in confidence information acquired about my co-workers in the course of employment,
unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
11. I will abide by the Illinois State Confidentiality Act and any regulations thereunder. I understand that all
information regarding services to individuals is protected under the law. I will take special precautions
to safeguard individual confidentiality. I will store confidential information and materials in authorized
and locked storage facilities and allow access to them only per agency policy. I will ensure the safety
of all computer files by adhering to password and directory protections and by not opening files for
those not authorized to see or use them. I will release information only with the proper authorizations.
I will abide by RRAF procedures regarding document destruction.
12. I will not discuss information regarding an individual served by RRAF unless that discussion is
within the context of the Service Plan, and both I and the other party are a part of the individual’s team.
13. Upon termination or resignation I will maintain individual, family, representative, co-worker, and
organization confidentiality of any information I obtained while employed by RRAF.
14. I understand that any time spent with an RRAF individual outside of work time, whether paid or
voluntary, must be approved, in advance, by RRAF’s administration. I also understand that there
must be a clear, distinct separation between my role as an employee of RRAF and that of any role I
have outside of RRAF.
15. I will accurately represent my education, training, experience, and competencies as they relate to my
profession. I will help keep my personnel file current by timely submission of updated records, such
as driver’s licenses, continuing education, etc., as applicable to my job description. I recognize that
these items are required and that lack of needed documentation could put my continued employment
at risk.
16. If assigned driving responsibilities, I will treat all RRAF vehicles as my own, observing all proper
maintenance schedules, maintaining safe driving practices at all times, and avoiding improper,
personal, or unassigned us of vehicles. I will follow all RRAF procedures, including those regarding
gas levels, routes taken, seating assignments, and individual needs. I will also inform RRAF
management of any traffic tickets I receive, any lapse in my current driver’s license and/or any lapse in
my personal auto insurance.
17. I will follow all RRAF and applicable regulator procedures as necessary to ensure the health, safety,
and emotional well-being of those served.
18. I will act in accordance with the integrity of RRAF’s mission, philosophy, and values at all times.
19. I understand and agree that my entire focus during the day needs to be on my job responsibilities and
I will leave my personal life, cell phone, etc. at the door so that my attention and dedication is always
focused on safe driving, full peer participation and a full 100% commitment to providing quality
services without being distracted by any external influences. If there are personal circumstances that
require use of my cell phone I will discuss this with RRAF’s Executive Director prior to use.
Standard of Conduct – Board of Directors and Officers (as appropriate):
1. I will carefully consider the public perception of my personal and professional actions, and the effect
my actions could have, positively or negatively, on RRAF’s reputation in my community and elsewhere.
2. I will strive for personal and professional growth to improve my effectiveness as an RRAF Board
member.
3. I will refrain from unwarranted intrusion into the responsibilities of RRAF’s operational management.
4. I will conduct myself in an ethical manner by consistently following the precepts of RRAF’s bylaws, and
following RRAF policies addressing conflicts of interest.
5. I understand that as a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of RRAF that the board must
annually approve the budget, review the accessibility plan, review the Successor Plan manual, review
the organization’s outcome measurement report, review the independent financial report, review the
organization’s insurance coverage and risk management plan, and will help assure that the
organization is utilizing current technology in order to maintain competitiveness and to ensure
efficiency.
6. I understand that as a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of RRAF that the board needs to
review the mission of RRAF continually and that I should suggest modifications as appropriate in
order to develop strategic planning efforts to ensure that RRAF receives appropriate leadership.
7. I will make myself available as requested by staff members, individuals, their families and
representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure that RRAF has a true “open door” policy.
Standard of Conduct – General Business Practices:
1. I recognize that RRAF is accountable to our business customers, state and local funders, and to all
our donors. If it is in my job responsibility I will ensure that the best accounting practices and highest
ethical standards possible are maintained. I also understand that RRAF will:
• Make full and fair disclosures of all relevant information to donors and funders who have a right to
know how their dollars are spent,
• Spend donations wisely, efficiently, and objectively,
• Respect the conditions of any contract entered into,
• Strive to maintain a balanced budget and live within our means,
• Account for our financial status in ongoing reports to interested stakeholders.
• Maintain internal fiscal controls that keep us honest.
2. If I have the responsibility for employing and evaluating staff performance, I will do so in a responsible,
fair, considerate, and equitable manner.
3. I recognize that all employees want and deserve a workplace where they feel respected, satisfied, and
appreciated. I understand that RRAF will not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind and
especially involving race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, and veteran or marital
status in our workplace environment.
4. I will act in accordance with and will abide by the RRAF Personnel Policies and Procedures.
5. I understand that as an agency, RRAF is committed to honesty, just management, and fairness for our
employees, providing a safe and health environment, opportunity for career growth, and respecting the
dignity due everyone.
6. I will ensure honesty, fairness, responsible stewardship, and ethical behavior in all business,
financial, marketing, and service practices that I am a part of.
7. I will ensure that any business practice that I am a part of is conducted in accordance with all
applicable laws and regulations and I understand that compliance with the law does not comprise our
entire ethical responsibility. Rather, it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for performance of
our duties.
8. I will strive to maintain a good rapport with all stakeholders and cooperating agencies in the
community.
9. I will encourage interested individuals and groups to visit and tour the facility to acquaint themselves
with the services RRAF provides.
10. I will honestly represent RRAF in any advertising, agency or program brochure, press release, or
other publicity that I am a part of. I will not exaggerate or embellish the facts for the purpose of getting
publicity or donations.
served and their representatives.
It is the goal of RRAF to provide an example for other human service, non-profit agencies, by establishing a
high standard of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct. RRAF intends to create an
environment that fosters ethical conduct, where no employee will ever feel the need to compromise
personal integrity to help achieve the mission of the agency.
Each new staff and board member will be required to review and sign the pertinent code, indicating
acceptance of it. Any staff member who violates one of the agency’s Codes of Ethics may face corrective
action. Board action may be taken with any board member who violates the Code of Ethics.
By signing RRAF’s Code of Ethics, I, as a board member, employee, volunteer, or consultant of RRAF, affirm
that all principles, therein, will be upheld to the fullest.
Standard of Conduct – Individuals Receiving Services:
1. Individuals receiving services must always be treated with the highest degree of respect and dignity,
regardless of disability or other potential deficit areas.
2. Individuals receiving services give up no legal rights when they join RRAF. Hence, an individual’s
legal rights must be respected at all times.
3. Services must center on individualized needs, preferences, and desired outcomes and individuals
must be given continuous opportunities for input into their service planning process. Services
needed and desired will be laid out in a Service Plan, clearly detailing each individual’s goals, their
methodologies, any risk factors staff need to be aware of, and other general information.
4. Services will be offered in a dignified, age appropriate, and enhancing way at all times. Each
individual will be seen as unique with varied interests and aptitudes, and individuals will not be
grouped together on the basis of label, functioning level, or convenience of support.
5. All individuals served by RRAF will be treated equally, being given not only genuine interest by all
members of their support team, but also whatever techniques, implementation strategies, or choice
options they need in order to ensure their best interests are taken into account, enabling them to help
themselves as able.
6. Natural settings and situations will be stressed, minimizing artificiality or restrictiveness.
Standard of Conduct – Staff:
1. I will strive to speak to everyone in a friendly, positive, mature, and courteous way. I will support a
quiet, calm environment with soft, slow talking, and the minimum amount of talking or interaction
possible in order to accommodate those with sensory needs. I will work with all individuals as
instructed and equally regardless of the level of disability.
2. I will support a work atmosphere that is open, non-secretive, and transparent in all respects possible,
while being mindful of the need for confidentiality.
3. I will support the decisions of management. I may state my position, but ultimately staff member
must follow management’s final decision.
4. I will be loyal to the agency. I will refrain from doing anything that might bring discredit to the agency
by violating DHS standards, by breeching peer confidentiality, or by personal behavior which violates
law.
5. I will carefully consider the public perception of my personal and professional actions, and the effect
my actions could have on RRAF’s reputation in my community and elsewhere.
6. I will not engage in any sexually related behavior with an individual served by RRAF with or without
consent, but will maintain a professional approach, utilizing the least amount of physical touch
needed at any point in time. Sexually related behavior will include such behaviors as sexual jokes;
sexual remarks; sexual kidding or teasing; sexual innuendo; pressure for dates of sexual favors;
inappropriate physical touching, kissing, or grabbing; rape; threats or physical harm; and sexual
assault.
7. I will make reasonable efforts to communicate to families/representatives information which should
be revealed in the interest of the individual receiving services.
8. I will endeavor to understand the community cultures, religions, and diverse home environments of
those we serve. I understand that my personal views regarding such issues are my own and will not
be imposed on or shared with individuals served by RRAF. I must support each individual within thei
own life experience.
9. I will distinguish between personal views and the views of RRAF.
10. I will keep in confidence information acquired about my co-workers in the course of employment,
unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
11. I will abide by the Illinois State Confidentiality Act and any regulations thereunder. I understand that all
information regarding services to individuals is protected under the law. I will take special precautions
to safeguard individual confidentiality. I will store confidential information and materials in authorized
and locked storage facilities and allow access to them only per agency policy. I will ensure the safety
of all computer files by adhering to password and directory protections and by not opening files for
those not authorized to see or use them. I will release information only with the proper authorizations.
I will abide by RRAF procedures regarding document destruction.
12. I will not discuss information regarding an individual served by RRAF unless that discussion is
within the context of the Service Plan, and both I and the other party are a part of the individual’s team.
13. Upon termination or resignation I will maintain individual, family, representative, co-worker, and
organization confidentiality of any information I obtained while employed by RRAF.
14. I understand that any time spent with an RRAF individual outside of work time, whether paid or
voluntary, must be approved, in advance, by RRAF’s administration. I also understand that there
must be a clear, distinct separation between my role as an employee of RRAF and that of any role I
have outside of RRAF.
15. I will accurately represent my education, training, experience, and competencies as they relate to my
profession. I will help keep my personnel file current by timely submission of updated records, such
as driver’s licenses, continuing education, etc., as applicable to my job description. I recognize that
these items are required and that lack of needed documentation could put my continued employment
at risk.
16. If assigned driving responsibilities, I will treat all RRAF vehicles as my own, observing all proper
maintenance schedules, maintaining safe driving practices at all times, and avoiding improper,
personal, or unassigned us of vehicles. I will follow all RRAF procedures, including those regarding
gas levels, routes taken, seating assignments, and individual needs. I will also inform RRAF
management of any traffic tickets I receive, any lapse in my current driver’s license and/or any lapse in
my personal auto insurance.
17. I will follow all RRAF and applicable regulator procedures as necessary to ensure the health, safety,
and emotional well-being of those served.
18. I will act in accordance with the integrity of RRAF’s mission, philosophy, and values at all times.
19. I understand and agree that my entire focus during the day needs to be on my job responsibilities and
I will leave my personal life, cell phone, etc. at the door so that my attention and dedication is always
focused on safe driving, full peer participation and a full 100% commitment to providing quality
services without being distracted by any external influences. If there are personal circumstances that
require use of my cell phone I will discuss this with RRAF’s Executive Director prior to use.
Standard of Conduct – Board of Directors and Officers (as appropriate):
1. I will carefully consider the public perception of my personal and professional actions, and the effect
my actions could have, positively or negatively, on RRAF’s reputation in my community and elsewhere.
2. I will strive for personal and professional growth to improve my effectiveness as an RRAF Board
member.
3. I will refrain from unwarranted intrusion into the responsibilities of RRAF’s operational management.
4. I will conduct myself in an ethical manner by consistently following the precepts of RRAF’s bylaws, and
following RRAF policies addressing conflicts of interest.
5. I understand that as a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of RRAF that the board must
annually approve the budget, review the accessibility plan, review the Successor Plan manual, review
the organization’s outcome measurement report, review the independent financial report, review the
organization’s insurance coverage and risk management plan, and will help assure that the
organization is utilizing current technology in order to maintain competitiveness and to ensure
efficiency.
6. I understand that as a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of RRAF that the board needs to
review the mission of RRAF continually and that I should suggest modifications as appropriate in
order to develop strategic planning efforts to ensure that RRAF receives appropriate leadership.
7. I will make myself available as requested by staff members, individuals, their families and
representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure that RRAF has a true “open door” policy.
Standard of Conduct – General Business Practices:
1. I recognize that RRAF is accountable to our business customers, state and local funders, and to all
our donors. If it is in my job responsibility I will ensure that the best accounting practices and highest
ethical standards possible are maintained. I also understand that RRAF will:
• Make full and fair disclosures of all relevant information to donors and funders who have a right to
know how their dollars are spent,
• Spend donations wisely, efficiently, and objectively,
• Respect the conditions of any contract entered into,
• Strive to maintain a balanced budget and live within our means,
• Account for our financial status in ongoing reports to interested stakeholders.
• Maintain internal fiscal controls that keep us honest.
2. If I have the responsibility for employing and evaluating staff performance, I will do so in a responsible,
fair, considerate, and equitable manner.
3. I recognize that all employees want and deserve a workplace where they feel respected, satisfied, and
appreciated. I understand that RRAF will not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind and
especially involving race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, and veteran or marital
status in our workplace environment.
4. I will act in accordance with and will abide by the RRAF Personnel Policies and Procedures.
5. I understand that as an agency, RRAF is committed to honesty, just management, and fairness for our
employees, providing a safe and health environment, opportunity for career growth, and respecting the
dignity due everyone.
6. I will ensure honesty, fairness, responsible stewardship, and ethical behavior in all business,
financial, marketing, and service practices that I am a part of.
7. I will ensure that any business practice that I am a part of is conducted in accordance with all
applicable laws and regulations and I understand that compliance with the law does not comprise our
entire ethical responsibility. Rather, it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for performance of
our duties.
8. I will strive to maintain a good rapport with all stakeholders and cooperating agencies in the
community.
9. I will encourage interested individuals and groups to visit and tour the facility to acquaint themselves
with the services RRAF provides.
10. I will honestly represent RRAF in any advertising, agency or program brochure, press release, or
other publicity that I am a part of. I will not exaggerate or embellish the facts for the purpose of getting
publicity or donations.