The following information is the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards set upon school counselors. These standards are set into play during times of both in-session academic times, as well as out of building. During the time of the school closings, the following ethical standards for student support will be followed.

A.1. Supporting Student Development

School counselors:

• Have a primary obligation to the students, who are to be treated with dignity and respect as unique individuals.
• Aim to provide counseling to students in a brief context and support students and families/guardians in obtaining outside services if the student needs long-term clinical counseling
• Do not diagnose but remain acutely aware of how a student’s diagnosis can potentially affect the student’s academic success. d. Acknowledge the vital role of parents/guardians and families.
• Are concerned with students’ academic, career and social/ emotional needs and encourage each student’s maximum development.
• Respect students’ and families’ values, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identification/expression and cultural background and exercise great care to avoid imposing personal beliefs or values rooted in one’s religion, culture or ethnicity.
• Are knowledgeable of laws, regulations and policies affecting students and families and strive to protect and inform students and families regarding their rights.
• Provide effective, responsive interventions to address student needs.
• Consider the involvement of support networks, wraparound services and educational teams needed to best serve students.

Continued list of ASCA Ethical Standards can be found at the link below:

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf