Skip to main content
In-Person Workshop

S25-504SG Ethical Puzzles: The Case of the Missing Pieces (IN PERSON)


Total Credits: 6 Ethic CEs

Bundle(s):
Spring 2025 In Person Workshops | Spring 2025 Ethics Workshops
Categories:
500 Ethics |  800 In-Person Workshop
Instructor:
Veronica Cruz, LCSW-C
Course Levels:
Intermediate
Duration:
7 Hours 30 Minutes
Target Audience:
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
Location:
The Universities at Shady Grove - Rockville, Maryland

Dates


Description

The versatility of clinical and macro practice is diverse and layered with many ethical components. Our values, morals, and ethical beliefs are at the forefront of our ethical framework and decision-making. This workshop applies a hands-on approach to ethical decision-making. Attendees will need to work independently and in group settings to resolve various ethical puzzles. Attendees will solve an array of ethical dilemmas using a variety of Social Work codes, including but limited to the Maryland COMAR and NASW Code of Ethics. Case examples will focus on boundary issues, mandated reporting, confidentiality, and more. This is an interactive workshop where case vignettes will be presented and discussed to further maximize participants’ understanding of the presented concepts.     

 

This workshop is in accordance and compliance with the NASW standards with a focus on the principles of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence; and the standard of responsibilities to clients, in practice settings, as professionals, and to the social work profession.

Maryland: This workshop is in compliance with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ COMAR 10.42.03.06.A(5) and meets the license renewal requirement for Ethics for the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ COMAR 10.42.06.03.A.(1)(b).

District of Columbia: This workshop is in compliance with the District of Columbia Board of Social Work 17-70-7008.4

Handouts

Instructor

Veronica Cruz, LCSW-C Related Seminars and Products

Cruz and Associates


Ms. Cruz is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical and forensic social worker with over twenty years of experience working in the mental health and legal arena. She is a qualified expert witness in clinical and forensic social work in numerous jurisdictions and courts in Maryland and at the federal level. She concentrates on cases involving illegal or harsh sentences, post-conviction relief, modifications of sentences, and juveniles charged as adults. Ms. Cruz is the founder and CEO of Cruz & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in preparing comprehensive forensic psychosocial reports for criminal and civil matters, continuing education, and psychotherapy. When not working on cases, she is an avid continuing education presenter who specializes in trauma and ethics.  

Ms. Cruz is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a BA in psychology. She received her Master of Social Work, specializing in mental health and addiction, from University of Maryland School of School Work. In 2014, she completed an advanced two-year, post-graduate Forensic Social Work Certification through the University of Maryland Continuing Education Department. In 2008, she co-created the Forensic Social Work Committee for NASW-MD, and in 2010 she became the sole chair, a position she maintained until 2016, when she resigned due to other professional obligations. She continues to advocate for legislative changes. She maintains various professional memberships and affiliations and has been a professor at University of Maryland School of Social Work (Shady Grove and Baltimore campus) and has taught at Catholic University of America Social Work Graduate School.  


Agenda & Learning Objectives

AGENDA:

08:45 – 09:00 Log On/Registration   

09:00 - 10:00 Learning Objectives & Value Systems   

10:00 - 11:00 Power Point: Code of Ethics & Case Examples  

11:00 - 11:15 Break    

11:15 – 12:00 Case Examples & Ethical Decision-Making Models  

12:00 - 01:00 Lunch  

01:00– 02:00 Power Point: Small Group Discussion 

02:00 – 03:00 Power Point: Case Examples & Ethical Considerations  

03:00 - 03:15 Break  

03:15 – 04:30 Presentation Summary (Case Example & Group Activity) 

04:30 Questions & Adjournment    

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the various personal values and morals that encompass one’s ethical decision-making.    

  • Articulate the connection between appropriately applied decision-making models and resolving ethical conflicts.  

  • Deconstruct an array of case examples, utilize hands-on group discussions, and brainstorm ideas to arrive at ethical decisions.   

  • Appraise and articulate essential clinical skills and tools needed to resolve various ethical puzzles.  

Bibliography & References

BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES

Blundell, Oakley, et. al. (2022) Who are we protecting? Exploring counsellors; understanding and experience of boundaries. European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 12, 13-28.    

Bryan, V., Sanders, S., & Kaplan, L. (2022). The helping professional’s guide to ethics: Theory in practice (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.     

Code of Ethics Board of Social Work Examiner (2019). Retrieved from https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Documents/Regs/10.42.03CodeofEthics.pdf     

Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (2017). Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English     

Dolgoff, R., Harrington, D., & Loewenberg, F. M. (2012). Brooks/Cole empowerment series: Ethical decisions for social work practice. Cengage Learning.    

Imboden, Rachel (2020). Exploring the Relationship Between Ethics Stress and Burnout, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 17, No. 1    

Juujarvi, Soile, et. al. (2020) Ethical Decision-Making of Social Welfare Workers in the Transition of Services: The Ethics of Care and Justice Perspectives. Ethics of Social Welfare, Vol. 14, No. 1, 65-83   

Reamer, F. (2022)  Managing Ethics Challenges in Social Work Organizations: A Comprehensive Strategy, Free State Social Work, Vol. 22 No. 1 (Spring 2022)    

Reamer, F. (2018.) Ethical Standards for Social Workers’ Use of Technology: Emerging Consensus, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 15, Number 2    

Sills, Paul. (2020) Cognitive biases in ethical decision-making. The Journal of Family Office Investment, FS Private Wealth    

Topor, A., & Matscheck, D. (2021). Diversity, Complexity and Ordinality: Mental Health Services Outside the Institutions—Service Users’ and Professionals’ Experience-Based Practices and Knowledges, and New Public Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18   

Course Completion & CE Information

Category I Maryland BSWE Requirement

The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University Of Maryland School Of Social Work is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education programs. This workshop qualifies for 3 Category I Continuing Education Units for ethics. The Office of Continuing Professional Education is also authorized by the Maryland Board of Psychologists and the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors to sponsor Category A continuing professional education.


Please refer to the tab "Live Interactive Webinar Policies & FAQs" for UMSSW Office of CPE policies regarding all live interactive webinar related matters.

Evaluation

Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.  

After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.

Target Audience

Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists

We welcome anyone interested in the topic!

 

Late Fees and Refunds

The base price is $135, which includes CE credit.  

Late Fee: On 4/18/25, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.  

Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.**  To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop. 

For more information, please read the general policies on our website.  

 

In-Person Policies

Please read our in-person policies here

Each participant MUST sign in and out of the workshopIf you do not sign out, your CE’s will be adjusted (this only applies to workshops approved by MBSWE). CPE staff will assume you left during the last break.  

Evaluations and certificates will be available by noon the next business day in your CPE account.

Click the ORANGE certificate button for the workshop you attended to access the evaluation. Then you will have an option to download, print, or email your certificate.  

Please Note: As long as you have access to your CPE account, you will be able to access all of your workshop certificates offered by CPE.

Code of Conduct

The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics. This policy is to ensure that the training environment for social work professionals remains respectful, productive, and conducive to learning. Disruptive behavior that interferes with the learning process, disrupts the training experience for others, or undermines the integrity of the program will not be tolerated.

 

Expectations for Participant Engagement:

In alignment with the NASW Code of Ethics and the University of Maryland Baltimore Code of Conduct, participants are expected to demonstrate professionalism, which includes respecting confidentiality, maintaining a collaborative and respectful tone, and contributing positively to the group dynamic. Disclosures made during the training (e.g., case studies or personal reflections) must be handled with care and in accordance with ethical and legal guidelines.

All participants in the training program are expected to:

  • Engage actively in the learning process and show respect for the opinions and contributions of others.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in both attitude and behavior, maintaining respect for instructors, peers, and the training environment.
  • Maintain open communication by expressing concerns or disagreements constructively and respectfully.
  • Follow the guidelines and expectations provided by instructors and facilitators.
  • Support a collaborative learning environment where all participants feel valued and safe to contribute.

 

Instructors and CPE staff reserve the right to dismiss participants who do not adhere to ethical/professional principles and standards. If removed, CEs will be adjusted to reflect the time attended, unless otherwise specified. 

ADA Accommodations

If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.  

Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.  

Location

The Universities at Shady Grove

9630 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
(301) 738-6000
shadygrove.umd.edu