Ensuring accuracy of information, respect, and consistency with the NASW Code of Ethics.

The Art of Invitation content is formed from peer reviewed literature, social science approaches, and in alignment with the North American Association of Social Worker’s Statement of Mission and Christian Identity. Only standards which apply directly to the Art of Invitation’s mission, service delivery model, or content are addressed in this protocol.

Deliver Social Work Services

The NASW Code of Ethicssuggests service delivery using technology, should:

1.     Assess benefits and risks

2.     Ensure confidentiality

3.     Reasonably observe and maintain clear professional boundaries

Primary Benefits:

Provides relationship building tools and concepts through video content sharing on line where people often look for assistance

• Maintains low barriers and heightened accessibility to persons interested in accessing this training
• Reduces operating costs embedded in a traditional approach; provides video content free to the public
• Is person-centered for those who are reticent to join a group and prefer to learn at home or in a private space

Primary Limitations or Risks:

• Difficulty understanding and/or applying content if without a facilitator or group to assist
• Inability to confirm the identity of those accessing the online video content when using a platform like YouTube or another similar platform
• Lack of control of algorithms and advertisements on YouTube, and therefore, participants may be exposed to content that is incongruent with the AOI message or approach.

Ensuring confidentiality of the Art of Invitation participants

• Inquiries and email mailing lists (list servers) will be kept confidential.

Reasonably observing and maintaining clear professional boundaries

• The Art of Invitation will take reasonable steps to prevent accessibility of AOI staff’s personal social networking sites and will not post personal information on professional web sites, blogs, or other forms of social media to avoid boundary confusion.
• It is not possible to confirm the identity of those accessing services through YouTube, however, since the Art of Invitation is designed for psychoeducational purposes only. AOI is not intended for clinical practice application. Careful review suggests the potential benefits of openly accessible video content for the public outweighs the minimal risks of harm or injury content exposure from the content.

When Using Technology to Provide Service

Knowledge and skills are needed safe, competent, and ethical service delivery.

Clear professional boundaries should be defined and respected.

The Art of Invitation is not a clinical practice and, therefore, is unable to respond to requests for personal application of the material pertaining to relationship issues outside of the scope of a typical learning environment.

The Art of Invitation may partner with a sponsoring organization to provide direct facilitation of a group.  Focus of such a group will remain educational in focus.

Learning communities form around an interest in the Art of Invitation.  In some settings, personal and professional boundaries blur.  For example, in a small-town, the Art of Invitation facilitator can be known through Art of Invitation facilitation as well as through a faith based or community-based experience.  Since AOI is not a clinical practice, traditional boundary setting for clinical practice does not apply.  Respectful, thoughtful, and appropriate communication and interactional norms will be honored for each setting in which the facilitator and participants find themselves.

• Professional social networking sites may be used to help connect with those interested in the Art of Invitation.
• The Art of Invitation uses a google based e-mail and as such makes use of all the tools available on this platform.  Text messaging is provided through a google voice service.
• Electronic search engines may post information about the Art of Invitation without the Art of Invitation, LLC’s knowledge.  Any misinformation will be addressed as identified. 
• Passwords for smartphone applications and other software supports will be protected by the Art of Invitation, LLC. to minimize any breech of data.
• Blogs and similar electronic communication vehicles will not share any unauthorized perspective or contributor’s identity.
• Individuals may post evaluations on search engine or business review sites; inappropriate language or content will be attempted to be removed.
• Email distribution lists will not be sold to a third party.  Only those who have expressed interest or given permission will be added an email distribution list serve.

Personal mobile phones and other devices used for electronic communication and social work services should insure confidentiality for recipients of service

Emergency services in the jurisdiction where the client is located and share this information with recipients of service.

Online testimonials should not be pursued from past or current recipients of service due to the possibility of the service provider’s undue influence in a decision to share his or her story and the ramifications of exposure.

Participants’ informed consent when using technology to conduct needs assessments and program evaluations shall obtained and information shall be provided about how confidentiality will be ensured.

Social workers who conduct online research shall assess the quality, strengths, and limitations of the research.

The Art of Invitation will observe confidentiality for participants who provide feedback in order to study effectiveness, utility, and to improve the learning process.  All online surveys or other technologies used to gather information will include posted information for informed consent including: intended uses of the information gathered, who will receive the information what information will be shared, and how the results will be distributed.

The Art of Invitation will take reasonable steps to ensure reliability, validity, currency, and limitations of the program evaluations pursued, and seek to portray with accuracy any findings or results.

Recipients of service will be informed as to how electronic devices or communication technologies gather, manage, and store identifying information.  A process to give Informed consent shall be established for any personal data collected, managed, or stored.

All online surveys or other technologies used to gather information will include posted information about the reason for the survey and a voluntary option to participate, which is implied consent. The information will be used solely by the Art of Invitation, LLC to learn more about our users and how best to help them with building enduring relationships and collaborative community. Data collected will not identify any one group or individual.  Data will be shared on the AOI platforms for AOI user benefit or for the further development of AOI.  Data is not collected as a profitmaking exercise.

Clear delineation between personal and professional communications and information should be established and honored.

When gathering, managing, and storing information, separate accounts, separate storage media or folders, will be used.  Information will be stored in a secure location and computer data will be password protected.

Confidential information concerning participants or research participants should be gathered, managed, and stored in a secure manner and in accordance with relevant federal and state statutes, regulations, and organizational policies.

Participant related electronic data will be stored in secure locations. Access will be limited to appropriate parties. When electronic files are backed up, reasonable precautions will be taken to maintain confidentiality of the backed-up files.

When identifying information is not needed, the Art of Invitation will gather data on an anonymous basis so a particular participant cannot be linked with the information.

Safeguards will be considered when using free services for gathering, managing, and storing data and more secure as fee-for-service options may be pursued if needed to ensure confidentiality.

Reasonable steps shall be taken to ensure reliability and accuracy of digital information gathered for social work practice or research.

When appropriate to the purpose, the Art of Invitation will establish and verify the identity of the participant submitting information or data. A unique identifier or passcode may be necessary.

Steps shall be taken to protect participants, the program, employees, and the environment when phasing out or eliminating an electronic device.

The competence and an ethical use of technology will be pursued in the design and delivery of social work education and training.