Which of the following is prohibited when interacting with people I serve?

Which of the following is prohibited when interacting with people I serve?

• A. Gifts of appreciation
• B. Public recognition
• C. Money or items of significant value
• D. Travel stipends unrelated to service

Answer: (C)

Maintaining professional boundaries is the key idea. Accepting money or items of significant value from the person you serve creates a financial obligation and a power imbalance, which can lead to exploitation or the appearance of favoritism. That jeopardizes trust and your objectivity as a recovery professional, so it’s prohibited. Gifts of appreciation or public recognition can sometimes be allowed within agency policies if they are modest and voluntary, and approached with appropriate consent and privacy considerations. Travel stipends related to service are generally not appropriate unless expressly approved by policy and tied to the service in a transparent, policy-driven way. The central point is that money or valuable items pose the strongest risk to boundaries and professional integrity.

Maintaining professional boundaries is the key idea. Accepting money or items of significant value from the person you serve creates a financial obligation and a power imbalance, which can lead to exploitation or the appearance of favoritism. That jeopardizes trust and your objectivity as a recovery professional, so it’s prohibited.

Gifts of appreciation or public recognition can sometimes be allowed within agency policies if they are modest and voluntary, and approached with appropriate consent and privacy considerations. Travel stipends related to service are generally not appropriate unless expressly approved by policy and tied to the service in a transparent, policy-driven way. The central point is that money or valuable items pose the strongest risk to boundaries and professional integrity.