As you read the following case study, be sure to identify specific ethical principles, theories, social problems, and research implications (plans/topics that would address the issues):
Ann works as a licensed social worker for a non-profit human service agency in a rural area. Her primary duties include counseling individuals and small groups. The staff consists of an executive director, a psychologist, a supervisor of social work services, teachers, and childcare workers. The agency contracts with the local child protective service agency to provide services to parents and families whose child(ren) have been placed in foster care due to child abuse or neglect. The parents who receive services are court-ordered to complete a treatment plan, including counseling (individual and/or group) to regain custody of their child(ren). The agency provides intense family preservation services from 8:30 – 4:30, including individual and group counseling, parenting classes, and educational services.
Jasmine is a nineteen-year-old mother of a two-year-old daughter who was placed in foster care due to maltreatment and “failure to thrive.” She attends therapeutic group sessions twice weekly with Ann and other parents whose children were also placed in foster care. Jasmine divulges to her caseworker (child protective services) that she tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). She is a person with type II diabetes who tests her glucose levels in the bathroom during breaks. Ann’s co-workers are aware that Jasmine uses a glucometer several times during the day to monitor her diabetes while she receives services at the agency.
Janet is a nurse practitioner at an outpatient clinic who is Jasmine’s primary care provider. Janet and Ann previously worked together at Rose Memorial Hospital, where Ann did her first year of social work placement. Ann had reached out to Janet previously with her concerns about Jasmine not managing her diabetes correctly. Janet also brought up her concerns about Jasmine’s noncompliance with her HIV treatment regime during their conversation. Ann was surprised to find out that Jasmine was HIV positive but said nothing to Janet about this information is new to her.
The executive director, Mary, becomes very angry when she is informed (not by Ann) that Jasmine is HIV positive. During treatment team staffing, the executive director suggests that Ann speak privately with Jasmine to persuade her to inform the other clients (who attend group sessions with Jasmine) that she is HIV positive. The executive director states that Jasmine places the staff and the other clients at risk when she pricks her finger to test her glucose level. Mary also says that if Jasmine refuses to inform her group members of her HIV status, Ann’s obligation as the agency’s social worker is to disclose Jasmine’s private information (during a group session) to the other clients who attend the group sessions. Mary, the executive director, is not a trained counselor or social worker, but she believes that it will be therapeutic for Jasmine and the clients if she shares her HIV status with the group.
Please respond to the following:
For this paper, read the case scenario outlined above to develop a hypothetical ethical dilemma response and demonstrate an appropriate ethical decision-making process. The case scenario also includes various social problems that you will identify and ethical dilemmas to which you will apply ethical principles, theories, and decision-making processes. You will address several substantial areas in your analysis:
• Identify and discuss a specific social problem in the case study.
• Identify one ethical dilemma and the stakeholders involved.
• Summarize the main ethical concerns presented in a dilemma, including references to specific ethical standards and codes.
• Identify, define and apply ethical principles and theories.
• Outline and apply the ethical decision-making process you would use if you were one of the professionals.
• Identify any missing information which might help you in the ethical decision-making process
• Provide a clear recommendation using the ethical decision-making process as your basis for your recommendation.
Finalize your analysis, so it is a polished academic discussion on professional, ethical standards, and ethical decision-making. Your response should be between 4 to 5 pages and include a title page, 12-font, and double spaced. The title and references pages will not be considered part of this assignment’s page count. Be sure to use APA-style citation for citing any sources to support your claims. At least five references from journals or approved websites, such as those of the US government, research organizations, universities, etc., need to be used for this paper. Wikipedia, CliffsNotes, and other study guide sites are not considered valid sources for references.
