Lutheran Homes Society Mission Statement
As followers of Christ, we are called to do what lies within our power to share burdens that weigh upon the young and the old and to alleviate sorrow and misery in His Name.
Ethics are standards or rules of conduct, established as a guide for human relationships. To accomplish our mission, all associated with Lutheran Homes Society (LHS) shall unconditionally endorse and aspire to the Core Values and Code of Ethics of the Society.
This Code of Ethics:
- Supports applicable federal, state, and local laws
- Supports licensing regulations and contractual agreements
- Reflects the Core Values of the organization
- Is compatible with the ethical standards of recognized professional organizations in which personnel may participate
- Insists on honesty and integrity
Lutheran Homes Society personnel, including: employees, directors, volunteers, and contracted service providers, will conduct the affairs of LHS in a fair and ethical manner at all times, with the hope and expectation of our being treated in a similar manner by all those with whom we interact. The foundation and guide for all interactions will be the LHS Core Values:
FAITHFULNESS TO Christ: As part of the Church, we perform our work in response to Jesus Christ and as an extension of His ministry.
While resident/clients, as well as employees, are welcome and shall be afforded just, equitable and respectful treatment, regardless of religious persuasion, all activities of the Society shall be conducted in a manner compatible with Christian values and beliefs. These are often expressed with the Golden Rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”) or the Hippocratic dictum, “Do good and do no harm,” and they follow the model of sacrificial love for all people borne witness to in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While such loving care of residents/clients is the Society's first priority, behaviors rising out of the LHS Core Values are to be evident in our serving partnership. Consequently, every effort should be made to maximize communication, cooperation, and fairness in every aspect of the Society's life. We shall strive to provide a work environment that promotes communication, positive collegial support, and mutual respect of abilities and talents.
EQUALITY AND JUSTICE: We recognize the equality of all persons in our offering of services and the opportunity for services, advocating justice and seeking to develop and balance all resources at our disposal to serve vulnerable persons with more intense needs.
We shall accord just, equitable, and respectful treatment to residents/clients and families in our care. We shall treat colleagues with professionalism, respect, and dignity. We shall not discriminate against, nor harass, nor grant a discriminatory advantage to residents/clients, families, or colleagues on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, physical or mental conditions, family, social, or cultural background, or sexual orientation.
WHOLENESS OF LIFE: We recognize and value the life and inherent worth of each person, helping individuals experience dignity and the fullest level of his or her physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and vocational ability.
The first consideration us is the welfare, happiness, and comfort of our residents/clients. This will serve as the basis for all decisions, including the protection of confidentiality, privacy rights, and self-determination. We are committed to kindness, consideration, and diplomacy in all dealings. Furthermore, any action which may jeopardize the quality of life or dignity of LHS residents/clients will not be tolerated.
INTEGRITY: We value and demonstrate honest, integrity, fairness, and trustworthiness in all of our relationships.
We shall not use professional relationships with residents/clients or their families for private advantage or gain. We shall not engage in any relationship with a resident/client or their family other than the professional one determined by the services we offer.
Information obtained in the course of providing treatment or services shall be kept confidential unless disclosure is prescribed by law. In addition, we shall not submit fraudulent or inaccurate information.
We are committed to serving Lutheran Homes Society loyally and will publicly lift up its mission and core values. We encourage adherence to the Golden Rule and will refrain from destructive criticism and gossip. This implies cooperation and support of co-workers, supervisors and all other departments and ministries.
QUALITY OF SERVICE: We seek to deliver services of the highest quality possible by demonstrating competence, continuous improvement, innovation, and creativity.
We shall promote and maintain quality assurance in every aspect of Society operations. In order to ensure the highest quality services possible our quality activities will include treatment programs, personnel matters, professional growth and development, and finance. Since we are dealing with human life, accuracy is absolutely essential. In addition, we shall actively seek personal and professional activities which will enable each person to perform successfully his/her responsibilities with the greatest skill and creativity.
We shall regularly assess the effectiveness of current programs, status of goals and objectives, progress of long-range planning, and external and internal changes which may affect the mission of their ministry and of the Society. We shall adhere to the standards and codes of ethics of respective professional organizations and associations.
STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES: We exercise faithful stewardship of our financial resources and physical assets, and are responsible and accountable for their proper deployment in the work of our ministry.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) shall be used in designing financial systems and documentation requirements. Financial reporting shall be timely and reflect the true nature of business transactions, assets, liabilities, and net assets.
Lutheran Homes Society shall manage its resources in the most efficient and effective ways possible. We shall be positive stewards of these resources. No one shall take any action which may jeopardize the licensure, certification, or financial stability of any ministry or of the Society as a whole.
ETHICS COMMITTEE/REFERRAL OF ETHICAL ISSUES
LHS personnel will refer to the LHS Employee Handbook for information regarding appropriate ways to deal with concerns relative to our Mission and Core Values. When ethical questions arise that cannot be answered in established individual or group structures, the issue shall be referred to the Lutheran Homes Society Ethics Committee for discussion.
For more information, contact Dr. James Dumke, Vice President-Mission Integration at 419-861-5509 or jdumke@LHSOH.org