AIRS Professional Ethics and Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An inquirer asks the I&R specialist which of three food pantries is 'the best.' What is the most ethical response?
- Describe each pantry's eligibility, hours, and services so the inquirer can choose (Correct answer)
- Recommend the pantry the specialist personally prefers
- Refuse to discuss the pantries and end the contact
- Refer only to the pantry with the largest budget
Correct answer: Describe each pantry's eligibility, hours, and services so the inquirer can choose
AIRS ethics favor presenting objective options and supporting the inquirer's own decision rather than endorsing a provider.
Question 2: A caller refuses to give their name but needs shelter information. How should the specialist proceed?
- Require a name before giving any referral
- Transfer the caller to law enforcement
- Provide the information while respecting the caller's right to anonymity (Correct answer)
- Give only a website address
Correct answer: Provide the information while respecting the caller's right to anonymity
Inquirers have the right to remain anonymous and still receive service unless a specific program requires identifying data.
Question 3: Under AIRS Standards, when is it generally acceptable to share an inquirer's identifying information with another agency without consent?
- When the other agency asks politely
- When there is imminent risk of harm or a legal mandate such as child abuse reporting (Correct answer)
- When the specialist believes it would speed up service
- Whenever the inquirer was referred by that agency
Correct answer: When there is imminent risk of harm or a legal mandate such as child abuse reporting
Confidentiality may be breached only in narrow cases such as imminent danger or legally mandated reporting.
Question 4: A specialist's cousin runs a for-profit tutoring service that fits a caller's need. What should the specialist do?
- Refer only to the cousin's service
- Hide the relationship and refer anyway
- Never mention tutoring services
- Disclose the conflict and offer the full range of appropriate options, following agency policy (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict and offer the full range of appropriate options, following agency policy
Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and must not bias the referrals offered.
Question 5: Which practice best reflects the AIRS commitment to non-discrimination?
- Serving inquirers based on how cooperative they seem
- Providing equal access to service regardless of race, religion, gender identity, disability, or other characteristics (Correct answer)
- Prioritizing callers who speak English
- Offering fewer referrals to repeat callers
Correct answer: Providing equal access to service regardless of race, religion, gender identity, disability, or other characteristics
AIRS standards require service free of discrimination on any personal characteristic.
Question 6: An I&R specialist is offered a $50 gift card by a grateful inquirer. What is the most appropriate response?
- Politely decline or follow agency policy on gifts (Correct answer)
- Accept it and keep quiet
- Accept it only if it is under $100
- Ask for cash instead
Correct answer: Politely decline or follow agency policy on gifts
Accepting gifts can create perceived obligations, so specialists follow agency policy and generally decline.
Question 7: Why does the AIRS Code of Ethics emphasize maintaining accurate, current resource database information?
- To satisfy software vendors
- To increase call volume
- Because inaccurate referrals can harm inquirers by sending them to services that no longer exist or fit (Correct answer)
- Because funders require colorful reports
Correct answer: Because inaccurate referrals can harm inquirers by sending them to services that no longer exist or fit
Accurate data is an ethical duty since outdated information can block people from help.
AIRS Professional Ethics and Standards 2
An inquirer asks the I&R specialist which of three food pantries is 'the best.' What is the most ethical response?