top of page

CODE OF integrity

NY PLA CODE OF INTEGRITY

 

We the members of the NY PLA, are a consortium of representatives from various levels of addictions and mental health treatment including private practice, intervention, outpatient treatment, extended care, residential treatment, wilderness treatment, recovery coaching, and sober living.  

 

The following is our Mission Statement:

The New York Provider Liaison Association is an organization focused on uniting professionals in the fields of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Mental Health (MH; whose purpose is to educate, share resources and support its members.

 

Being a member means understanding and adhering to to the following guiding principles:

 

  • 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 lifesaving treatment, and will treat those whom we serve with dignity and respect.

 

General Guidelines:

 

  1. NY-PLA members must respect patients’ rights to privacy. As we deal with Protected Health Information (PHI), patients’ identities must not be revealed by a NY-PLA member and must adhere to the laws set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

  2.  NY-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. ​NY-PLA members will live up to the ethical standards of their profession.  NY-PLA members who are in positions without official ethical standards of their profession may refer to the NY-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. 

 

 

MARKETING

 

  1. Financial Rewards for Patient Referrals​

 

   a. A NY-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. NY-PLA members must not provide or receive compensation in the form of a “quid-pro-quo” for a patient referral.

​

    b. …may refer families or individuals to treatment or support professionals prior to or after residential or outpatient treatment. NY-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. …may not engage in the buying and selling of patient leads. Any collection or aggregation of leads for compensation is prohibited.
 

      d. …offer inducements and non-clinical amenities to prospective patients is prohibited (i.e., paying for patient’s airfare).
 

 2. Deceptive Advertising or Marketing Practices – NY-PLA members should follow all federal and state-mandated laws regarding marketing and advertising practices.

​

      a. NY-PLA members should 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. NY-PLA members must be transparent regarding their identity and services. NY-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. NY-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 representations, including unsubstantiated representations, that are false or deceptive within the meaning of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

 

       f. NY-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.

​

NY PLA Service Commitment

 

  1. The New York Provider Liaison Association (NY -PLA) is an organization focused on uniting professionals in the fields of substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health (MH); 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, be listed in the Association Directory, receive Association communications (ListServe), serve on volunteer committees, and participate in the election of The General Service Council. (GSC)

  3. The only requirement for NY -PLA membership is to submit a personal statement demonstrating professional capacity in SUD/MH treatment and commit to abide by the Code of Integrity.

  4. The NY -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 NY PLA Code of Integrity. The NY- 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 NY-PLA.

  7. Outside Contributions:

The NY -PLA may accept in-kind contributions from NY -PLA members or their organizations including event sponsorship, raffle gifts or website maintenance cost.  NY -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.

​

8.General Service Committee (GSC)

The GSC will manage the affairs of the NY -PLA, including planning social and educational events, maintaining member directory, managing financial affairs, and administering the

NY- PLA website.  The GSC is composed of 8 General Service Representatives (GSR), who are trusted servants, and maintains 8 elected leadership positions, Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary and 5 committee chairs. 

 

9. General Service Representatives (GSR) are elected by NY -PLA members to serve a two year term and are limited to two consecutive terms per position (Chair and Co-Chair may only serve 2 consecutive terms inclusive of both positions). Elections will take place in odd years.

​

10. GSC Responsibilities

Chair: 

Responsible for organizing, scheduling, hosting, and leading GSC monthly meetings.  Motivate members to actively participate in Membership meetings/events and participate in committees.  Ensure the actions of the GSC reflect the NY -PLA Service Commitment and NY -PLA Code of Integrity. Serves as a primary point of contact for the NY -PLA leadership and members. 

 

Co-Chair:  Assist Chair in organizing, scheduling, hosting GSC meetings and runs GSC meetings in absence of Chair, promotes attendance at Membership meetings.

 

Secretary:  Manage and distribute GSC monthly meeting minutes.  Keeps track of sponsorship partners and contributions. If absent the Co-Chair will fill in at monthly meeting.

 

Announcement call for newly open GSR positions will be held at September meeting. At the GSC meeting in end of October campaigns will be reviewed. Candidate statement of intent due by November 15th to all NY-PLA members. Elections will be held in the second week of December. Newly elected members will be announced at the holiday party & through email in January. New service positions begin at the January GSC meeting (last Thursday of each month), which serves as a transition and is attended by outgoing and incoming GSC members.  In the event of a vacancy, the GSC may appoint a candidate for the remainder of the term. Each step of the election process will be both at live meetings and communicated with NY -PLA members via listserve.

 

11. Service Committees  

​

The PLA has 5 Standing Committees:

  • IT.

  • Ethics

  • Education

  • Membership  

  • Social Events

 

Committee Chairpersons will invite members to join their committees and are responsible for scheduling their own committee meetings at a frequency adequate to the committee responsibility.

 

The GSC will have the ability to create and maintain ad-hoc service committees as necessary.  The Chair shall appoint persons to chair and serve on those committees, including persons who are not on the GSC.

 

 

12.Meetings:

 

(a)  “Holiday Party”: The annual holiday party of NY -PLA shall be held in the month of January of each year.

 

(b)   Regular Membership Speaker Meetings:  March, June, September.

 

(c)   General Service Committee Meetings: Are held the last Thursday of each Month @5 PM via zoom. It is the Chairperson’s responsibility to organize and provide a zoom link to GSC members with reasonable lead time.

 

(d)  Social / Networking Events – Are held the months when no regular speaker meetings are scheduled. Social Events should be organized and announced a month prior to the event.

 

(e)  Special Meetings: Special meetings of the GSC can be held at any time when called by the Chair or by at least three GSC members. Business transacted at special meetings shall be confined to the purposes of the meeting stated in the notice of the meeting. Special meetings are only to be called in the event of an urgent issue that cannot wait until the next scheduled GSC meeting. All members of the GSC will be contacted to attend the special meeting.

bottom of page