Synopsis: This workshop focuses on strategies for identifying and addressing common, yet complex ethical issues concerning confidentiality that social workers face in their practice. To provide services it is often necessary to share and obtain information from community partners serving individuals and yet confidentiality practices are confusing and complicated. Content will include: An overview of the Maryland Statute and Regulations which govern confidentiality of health records, mental health records, substance abuse records, social service records, education records, the requirements for release of information, child maltreatment or imminent harm information, privileged communication, and clinician’s personal notes. The presenter served on the national committee to revise the NASW Confidentiality and Information Utilization Issue Statement and will include an overview of these national standards. In addition, risk management strategies will be identified. Ethics content covered includes: COMAR 10.42.03.03; COMAR 10.42.03.06; Health Occupations § 19-311 (14, 18, 20,21); NASW Code of Ethics (2021) 1.02,1.03,1.07,1.08, 2.02, and 3.04.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:
1. Distinguish the basic elements, concepts and terms concerning confidentiality and the restrictions and practice implications of the release of confidential information.
2. Explore the use of statutes, regulations, and social work standards that govern the protection of the various kinds of information obtained during the social work practice. 3. Apply professional values and ethical concepts to workplace situations, including the following issues: imminent harm, informed consent, duty to warn, and record keeping.
4. Explore strategies when responding to ethical issues and dilemmas concerning confidentiality practice.

CE: 6 Category I ETHICS CEUs
Cost: $100 for members; $150 for non-members; $60 for retired members; $40 for student members
Please Note: This workshop meets the 3-hour ethics requirement by the Maryland BSWE for license renewal.