Course Title

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Course Description

This course is part of the Management and Supervision in Human Services professional certificate program, which is geared toward professionals who find themselves in a management or supervisory role at a social work agency or human services organization, yet have not had formal management training or leadership experience.

Module 1: Service Delivery, Clients, and Our Ethics 
In Service Delivery, Clients, and Our Ethics, a two-part series consisting of 1.5-hour recorded sessions, we will examine the legal and ethical considerations in client care. This module will explore how our Code of Ethics guides professional practice and the importance of applying a Cultural Humility lens to ensure ethical client care. Participants will develop an understanding of ethical mandates for best practices and review key sources of legal and ethical directives. We will also discuss disclosure obligations, including mandated reporting, commitments, and HIPAA regulations, along with its exceptions. Finally, we will explore strategies for analyzing ethical and legal dilemmas while upholding the principles of cultural humility.

Module 2: Service Delivery, The Law, and Our Workplace
In Service Delivery, The Law, and Our Workplace, a two-part series consisting of 1.5-hour recorded sessions, we will examine legal and ethical standards in problem-solving, review key laws affecting social work practice, and consider their ethical implications in day to day practice in the workplace. We will explore ethical decision-making processes, recognizing situations that require careful analysis, particularly in the evolving landscape of telebehavioral health and multi-state practice. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of how ethical and legal commitments influence decisions related to organizing and managing practice environments.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will identify cultural humility as a core principle in fostering ethical and effective professional relationships with clients.
• Participants will become familiar with the NASW Code of Ethics and its practical applications.
• Participants will understand the various sources of legal obligations and directives that impact practice with clients.
• Participants will develop skills to consult the law and ethical standards when engaging in problem-solving.
• Participants will develop skills to consult the law and ethical standards when engaging in problem-solving in the workplace.
• Participants will review some of the laws that impact social work practice.
• Participants will explore ethical decision-making processes and recognize situations that require ethical analysis in the evolving telebehavioral health and multi-state practice landscape.
• Participants will appreciate how ethical and legal commitments shape decisions about organizing and managing practice environments.

General Information

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Management and Supervision in Human Services courses. All sales are final; we are not able to offer refunds. Registrations may not be transferred to another person or to another course, workshop, or program.

Online registration is required to participate in a course. Tuition for each certificate course is $150 to be paid by debit or credit card. Registrations will be processed upon receipt of payment. Payment is due in full in order to enroll.

These courses are approved for CEUs for Social Workers in MA, CT, RI, and VT. They meet the requirements for Continuing Education Hours established by the State Board of Social Worker Licensure in ME. If your state is not listed, please check with your local state licensing board to ensure the course meets state requirements prior to registering.

Boston College Continuing Education is required to ensure attendance to award CEUs. Participants must complete the entire program(s) they register for and all available quizzes to receive CEUs; we are not able to award partial CEUs. Those who do not attend the entire program will be unable to receive CEUs.

Course Instructor

Karen Dexter, MSW, JD
Senior Director of Clinical Risk and Compliance, Telemynd
Adjunct Professor, Boston College School of Social Work

Karen Dexter, JD, LICSW, has over 20 years of experience in Massachusetts' child welfare and behavioral health systems and currently serves as Sr. Director of Clinical Risk and Compliance at Telemynd. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar, was Adjunct Professor at Boston College’s School of Law, and is currently at BC's School of Social Work. Previously, Karen was Program Director at a non-profit behavioral health agency for many years, leading programs for families involved with DCF and DMH. She is a practicing family law attorney. Karen earned a BS in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, a MSW from Boston University, and a JD from Suffolk University Law School. Karen is also a military spouse, enhancing access to high-quality behavioral health care for military families.