Upper New England PLA Code
The members of the Upper New England PLA are a consortium of representatives from various levels of behavioral health treatment including private practice, intervention, outpatient treatment, extended care, residential treatment, wilderness treatment, recovery coaching, transitional care, and sober living.
--------------------------------------------------------
Our Mission Statement:
The Upper New England Professional Liaison's Association is an organization focused on uniting professionals in the fields of behavioral health. Our purpose is to educate, share resources, and support our members through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
--------------------------------------------------------
Being a member means understanding and adhering to the following guiding principles:
Fair and Ethical Business Practices
Integrity
Exemplary Personal Conduct
Exemplary Professional Conduct
Mentorship of New Professionals
We understand that our work in the community offers a significant contribution to life saving treatment and will treat those whom we serve with dignity and respect.
--------------------------------------------------------
General Guidelines:
1. Upper New England PLA members must respect patients’ rights to privacy. As we deal with Protected Health Information (PHI), patients’ identities must not be revealed by an Upper New England PLA member and must adhere to the laws set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
2. Upper New England PLA members may not engage in any way in discrimination against or harassment of any other member because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, physical or other disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, political ideology, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.
3. Upper New England PLA members will live up to the ethical standards of their profession. Upper New England PLA members who are in positions without official ethical standards of their profession may refer to the Upper New England PLA Code Of Integrity as well as the code of ethics for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) as a guide. A member who works for a state licensed person or institution may be bound to their code of ethics as well.
4. Mental health professionals who do not hold a state-issued license should not offer clinical advice without being under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
--------------------------------------------------------
EMAIL LISTSERV ETIQUETTE
The Upper New England PLA operates a listserv for members to facilitate professional communication, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge and referrals among behavioral health professionals. It aims to support professional development, share best practices, discuss recent research, and provide a platform for peer support.
Posting Guidelines:
**Make sure your email identifies you and you have a professional signature. **
Relevance: Ensure that all posts are relevant to behavioral health, best practices, research, or professional development.
Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone in all communications. Respectful discourse is always expected.
Confidentiality: Do not share patient information or any confidential data. Always adhere to HIPAA and other relevant privacy regulations.
Clarity: Write clear and concise emails. Use subject lines that accurately reflect the content of the email.
Frequency: Avoid excessive posting. Consider the value and necessity of each post to prevent overwhelming the listserv with emails.
Prohibited Content:
Personal Attacks: Any form of personal attack, harassment, or discrimination is strictly prohibited.
Commercial Advertising: Do not use the list serve to promote commercial products or services.
*Informational posts about workshops, seminars, or professional development opportunities are acceptable. *
**Helpful Example: A monthly email containing updates to your program is okay. An email every week about your bed availability is too much.
Spam: Avoid sending spam or irrelevant messages. This includes chain letters, jokes, or nonprofessional content.
Etiquette and Conduct:
Respectful Communication: Engage with others respectfully, even in disagreement.
Responding to Posts: When responding to a post, quote or summarize the relevant part of the original message to provide context. If your response is only relevant to the original sender, consider replying privately.
Attachments: Limit the size of attachments. When possible, provide links to documents or resources instead of attaching large files.
Reporting Issues:
Members are encouraged to report any issues or violations of these guidelines to the moderators.
Amendments to Guidelines:
These guidelines are subject to review and amendments as necessary. Members will be notified of any changes and are encouraged to provide feedback.
--------------------------------------------------------
Marketing
1. Financial Rewards for Patient Referrals
a. An Upper New England PLA member should not engage in any form of patient brokering, should not receive financial rewards, substantive gifts, or other remuneration in exchange for patient referrals, other than their salary or fees as stipulated in a consulting contract, as provided by their employer. Upper New England PLA members must not provide or receive compensation in the form of a “quid-pro-quo” for a patient referral.
b. An Upper New England PLA member may refer families or individuals to treatment or support professionals prior to or after residential or outpatient treatment. Upper New England PLA members must not compensate such individuals or organizations in exchange for referrals, either in the form of direct payment, consulting contracts, fee splitting, or other compensation.
c. An Upper New England PLA member may not engage in the buying and selling of patient leads. Any collection or aggregation of leads for compensation is prohibited.
d. An Upper New England PLA member may not offer inducements and non-clinical amenities to prospective patients is prohibited.
2. Deceptive Advertising or Marketing Practices – Upper New England PLA members should follow all federal and state-mandated laws regarding marketing and advertising practices.
a. Upper New England PLA members may not engage in false, deceptive, or misleading statements, advertising, or marketing practices, including but not limited to, predatory web practices, payment kickbacks, services, and license and accreditation misrepresentation.
b. Upper New England PLA members must be transparent regarding their identity and services. Upper New England PLA members must provide prominent information in all their advertising, on their websites, and in their collateral marketing materials about the type and model of services, corporate entity, treatment program brand, licensing, accreditation, general location of offices or facilities, and staff credentials.
c. Upper New England PLA members must not utilize any form of false or misleading advertising, must not exploit patients and or families, and must not engage in competitive practices that are predatory or destructive to a collaborative marketplace.
d. Web directories that use facilities images, name, logos, and trademarks that do not clearly identify that facility’s direct phone number and website are prohibited. Banners and borders on websites that utilize a web directory’s call center number, especially when conveying an appearance of being a consultant or independent specialist, are prohibited.
e. Advertising must not include misrepresentations, including unsubstantiated representations, that are false or deceptive within the meaning of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
f. Upper New England PLA members are encouraged to avoid the use of superlatives, including but not limited to “best”, “most effective”, or “most successful”, if such claims cannot be quantitatively substantiated, or unless used in connection to an award presented by a third party.
--------------------------------------------------------
Upper New England PLA Service Commitment
1. The Upper New England PLA is an organization focused on uniting professionals in the fields of behavioral health; whose primary purpose is to educate, share resources and support its members.
2. Members are entitled to participate in the social and educational programs of the Association, receive Association communications (Listserv), serve on volunteer committees, and participate in the election of The General Service Council. (GSC)
3. The only requirement for Upper New England PLA membership is to submit a personal statement demonstrating professional capacity in behavioral health treatment and commit to abide by the Code of Integrity.
4. The Upper New England PLA is not aligned with any outside organization, institution, or causes. and does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
5. The General Service Council puts forth the expectation that members abide by Upper New England PLA Code of Integrity. The Upper New England PLA does not monitor or enforce this. Individuals with concerns about their own or others’ compliance will need to make their own decision on how to proceed.
6. There are no dues or fees for association membership. No monies are held by the Upper New England PLA.
7. The Upper New England PLA may accept in-kind contributions from Upper New England PLA members or their organizations including event sponsorship, raffle gifts or website maintenance cost. Upper New England PLA welcomes contributions in any amount up to $1,000 per calendar year per entity. We make every effort to maintain equity in sponsorship opportunities.
--------------------------------------------------------
General Service Committee (GSC)
The GSC will manage the affairs of the Upper New England PLA, including planning social and educational events, maintaining member directory, managing financial affairs, and administering theUpper New England PLA website.
The GSC is composed of General Service Representatives (GSR) who are trusted servants.
General Service Representatives (GSR) are elected by Upper New England PLA members to serve a two-year term and are limited to two consecutive terms per position.
--------------------------------------------------------
Events
Social / Networking Events will be held at dates, times, and locations to be determined by the board.
Ideally, we hope to hold one event per quarter and hold events in all states equally.