OUR CODE OF ETHICS

2.1 Ethics Code

Will Work for Recovery (WWFR) is a peer-led Recovery Community Organization committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical practice in service to individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. All staff, volunteers, and Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects honesty, compassion, professionalism, and integrity.

Our work is grounded in recovery values—hope, respect, connection, and empowerment—and our ethical standards reflect both our mission and the expectations set forth by the Minnesota Certification Board (MCB).

Core Ethical Principles

All team members, including CPRS staff, are expected to:

Honor Professional Boundaries: Maintain appropriate peer-provider relationships, avoiding dual relationships or personal gain from professional interactions. CPRS should never engage in romantic, sexual, or financially exploitative relationships with peers they support.
Protect Confidentiality: Uphold strict confidentiality regarding all personal, programmatic, or organizational information. Disclosure of any identifiable information requires informed consent or must follow legal requirements (e.g., duty to warn, mandated reporting).
Support Self-Determination: Respect each peer’s right to make their own choices about recovery pathways. CPRS must not impose their own beliefs or recovery model onto others, but rather walk alongside individuals in a person-centered, nonjudgmental way.
Avoid Conflicts of Interest: CPRS and staff must avoid situations where personal interests interfere with professional responsibilities. Conflicts must be disclosed and resolved transparently.
Maintain Integrity and Accountability: Be truthful in all professional representations, including credentials, roles, and abilities. CPRS and staff are expected to provide only services they are trained and authorized to deliver.
Model Recovery Behavior: As public representatives of recovery, team members are expected to model recovery-supportive behavior both on and off duty, including maintaining personal wellness and boundaries.
Commit to Cultural Humility: Approach all people with respect, free from discrimination, bias, or stigma related to race, gender, sexuality, religion, background, or recovery path. Cultural humility is essential to ethical peer work.
Adhere to MCB Ethical Standards: All CPRS must follow the Minnesota Certification Board Code of Ethical Conduct and report any observed violations to appropriate supervisory staff or the MCB, if necessary.

Organizational Representation & Conduct

Team members may not speak on behalf of Will Work for Recovery unless specifically authorized.
WWFR business operations and communications will be conducted with transparency, fiscal integrity, and sound judgment.
Trade secrets, internal operations, partner relationships, and sensitive materials must be handled with discretion and professionalism.
Breaches of ethics—whether interpersonal, organizational, or legal—may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or revocation of certification.
Voluntary disclosure of ethical violations and cooperation during investigations will be considered in disciplinary decisions.

Reporting & Accountability

WWFR encourages an environment where ethical concerns can be raised without fear of retaliation. Reports should be directed to leadership or the Board of Directors. All concerns will be handled confidentially and investigated promptly and fairly.

Reference

This Code is designed to align with and supplement the Minnesota Certification Board Code of Ethical Conduct for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. All CPRS team members are expected to review, understand, and adhere to MCB standards.