EMC'S POLICIES and STATEMENTS

Here at Edquity-Minded Consulting (EMC), we want to be transparent as possible. As the founder, I hope that you have a pleasant, professional, and continued learning experience while being connected to EMC. To help maintain transparency during this journey, I have put together the following policies that speak to our commitment to quality equitable services and support that go beyond compliance. The listed policies and statements should not be considered an all-inclusive answer guide, but one that I hope will help you navigate your experience with EMC.

I am honored that you have chosen EMC to be a part of your transformational journey. I wish you all the best and please feel free to connect with me at any time during your experience.

All the best,
Dr. Tamekia Scott

Code of Ethics

Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC (EMC)’s Code is adapted based on the American Counseling Association (ACA), International Coaching Federation (ICF), National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), ACPA/NASPA, and the CDP Standards Office Code of Ethics/Standards.

Although no one organization has the same code of ethics, all of the above organizations speak to seven common ethical standards that EMC recognizes and maintains, which are:

Ethical and Legal Standards
Planning and Evaluation
Access to policies and practices
Inclusive Efforts
Evidence best practices
Accountability
Self-awareness

All members of EMC agree to:

CODE

Always conduct themselves to the highest levels of ethics, integrity, accountability, and responsibility.
Treat all clients and potential clients with absolute dignity, confidentiality, and respect as free and equal individuals.
Create an agreement/contract regarding the roles, responsibilities, and rights of all parties involved with clients prior to the commencement of any services.
Make service agreements/contracts with clients and potential clients that are fair and will respect all parties to such agreements.
Not knowingly take any personal, professional, or monetary advantage or benefit of the coach/consultant-client relationship, except by a form of compensation as agreed in the agreement or contract.
Keep appropriate and accurate records of your work with clients and ensure they will remain confidential, are stored securely, and comply with the state of Illinois’ Personal Information Protection Act requirements.
Maintain professional boundaries with all of my current clients, associates, and/or sponsors.
Represent true levels of status, title, competence, and experience in order not to mislead, misrepresent or defraud.
Clearly state to clients and potential clients the terms of any service agreement/contract including the expectations of both parties.
Be aware of and actively manage any power or status difference between the client and coach/consultant that may be caused by differences.
Make no claims or implications of outcomes that cannot be demonstrated or guaranteed.
Monitor the quality of your work through feedback from clients and other appropriate professionals.
Obtain written permission from any client or potential client before releasing their names.
Have qualifications, skills, and experience appropriate to the needs of your client. If not refer your client to those who do, such as more experienced coaches/consultants, counselors, mentors, or other specialist services.
Respect the absolute rights of the client's confidentiality except as expressly permitted by the client or potential client in writing or as required by law.
Avoid all conflicts of interest and give notice of such potential conflicts.
Hold responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate, and culturally/identity-based sensitive boundaries that govern interactions, physical or otherwise.
Do not participate in any sexual or romantic engagement with client(s), associate(s), or sponsor(s).
Be healthy enough to practice. If not, you should stop until you are and, if necessary, your clients should be offered alternative support.
Share skills and experience with fellow coaches/consultants to further increase the body of knowledge, skills, and competencies of such parties.
Continually develop professionally in both the theory and practice of coaching and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Respect all copyrights, agreements, work, intellectual property, and trademarks and comply with all laws covering such areas.
Respect the client's right to terminate the coaching/consulting relationship at any point during the process, subject to the provisions of the agreement or contract. I will be alert to indications that the client is no longer benefiting from our coaching/consulting relationship.
Respect the service confidentiality of Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC by not divulging business information to any third parties.

The task of working justly means that coaches/consultants will inevitably face situations that require responses to unexpected issues, resolution of dilemmas, and solutions to problems. The Code is intended to assist all members of EMC with the variety of ethical factors that may need to be taken into consideration and help to identify alternative ways of approaching ethical behavior. Additional, supportive information can be found under our Equal Opportunity, Equal Treatment, and Non-Discrimination Statements.

Confidentiality

All information (documented or verbal) that the User shares with Edquity-Minded Consulting (EMC) as part of a working relationship, is bound by the principles of confidentiality set forth in the ACA and ICF Code of Ethics. However, please be aware that the EMC-User relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (such as the medical, legal, or counseling professions), and thus communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognized privilege. EMC agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the User without the User’s written consent. EMC will not disclose the User’s name as a reference without the User’s consent.

Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in EMC’s possession prior to its being furnished by the User; (b) is generally known to the public or in the User's industry; (c) is obtained by EMC from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the User; (d) is independently developed by EMC without the use of or reference to the User’s confidential information; or (e) EMC is required by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose; (f) is disclosed to EMC and as a result of such disclosure EMC reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the User or others; and (g) involves known illegal activity.

It is expected that the User acknowledges their continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with EMC in a timely manner.

Release of Information

Edquity-Minded Consulting (EMC) offers training and continuing education programming as part of several services offered. Users who participate in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD Standards Office) approved service engage in CPD's continued accreditation process. That process requires the User's name, contact information, and training/programming information to verify service completion certificates issued by EMC. As a result of this service offered, all Users who engage agree to have only your name, contact information, and start and end dates of CPD-approved services shared with CPD staff members and/or other parties involved in this process for the sole and necessary purpose of verifying certifications and program accreditation, no personal notes will be shared.

Additionally, in accordance with the ethics of the ICF profession, topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other professionals for training, supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and for EMC professional development and/or consultation purposes.

Contact EMC’s Founder (Dr. Tamekia Scott at tscott@edquitymindedconsulting.com ) for any questions and/or concerns regarding confidentiality and/or release of information.

Disruptive Behaviors

Misconduct and/or any other behavior proven to be detrimental and harmful to the learning and/or work environment will be reviewed by the Founder of Edquity-Minded Consulting on a case-by-case basis to determine inappropriate behavior and the best plan of action to address such behavior. If/When needed legal counsel will be consulted and/or added to any review process and plan as determined by the EMC Founder.
Misconduct will typically follow this order of discipline (there are exceptions that may result in swifter processing)

First Warning (email/paper notice confirmation will be added to User file)
Second Warning

After a second warning, if such misconduct continues and/or escalates at the discretion of the EMC Founder the User may be immediately dismissed/removed access from engaging with any Edquity-Minded Consulting services.

Education Rights

Although EMC is not required to comply with FEPRA regulations as it is not a school funded by the US Department of Education. EMC’s education record policy has been developed based on the Family Educational Rights (FERPA) and Privacy Act of 1974 and its amendments. Specifically, our clients have the right to:

To inspect and review their education records maintained by EMC. EMC will only provide copies of records upon request. EMC may charge a fee for copies.
EMC must have written permission from the eligible student/client to release any information from a student's/client’s record.

E-Learning (Online Learning) Expectations

EDUCATION FORMAT: ONLINE

Therefore, discussions boards, supplemental activities/media, and audio/visual interactive tools will take place of the traditional classroom discussions. Your engagement online is crucial for your success. At least two posts, one being prior to the Wednesday of the assignment week are required to ensure active engagement. Your second post must be no later than 11:59pm the Saturday of the assignment week. If you are not able to post within these timeframes, it is your responsibility to notify the Instructor in advance.

INSTRUCTIONAL MODALITY(IES):

Discussion/ Lecture/Training is media-based; this is a fully online learning experience that uses discussion boards, E-journals, computer-based assessments, real-time and/or pre-recorded audio/visual interaction tools, E-learning tools (i.e. audio, blogs, wikis, screen casting, etc.), and e-mail. Students will be required to participate in discussions of course readings, work both independently and when assigned collaboratively on class presentations, submit papers, complete quizzes on the learning management system, and complete computer-based self-assessments. Although the primary mode of instruction is online, other forms of instructor-student and student-student engagement may be provided via Edquity-Minded Consulting’s prefer online conference platform and/or conference calls, which provides the students with opportunities to experience the application of hybrid instruction to maximize learning, again when appropriate. Students should have access to a webcam with video and audio capabilities.

NON-BIAS LANGUAGE STATEMENT

Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC. invites its students to be reflective lifelong learners; advocates for diversity, equity, and social justice; and engaged, effective, transformative educators, practitioners, and professionals who desire to enhance DEI across their organization. As such, this learning environment is a space where all people are free to express themselves and their passions; however, members of the learning community must be aware of the responsibility and accountability that comes with their speech. All members of the learning community should avoid using language that is disparaging of others. Please refer to disruptive behavior process, equal treatment, and our non-discrimination statement.

Equal Opportunity

EMC employees are mindful of their responsibilities to always protect EMC’s positive education and service reputation. Poor choices made by any individual employed by EMC can negatively impact the organization. In all dealings with students, clients, and other constituents EMC employees will behave in a professional manner which reflects positively on the employee and EMC.
All EMC employees are expected to comply with all EMC policies and procedures. Additionally, all EMC employees are expected to avoid the following:

Discussing students, clients, or constituents on all social media sites
Public intoxication on business trips, online services, or in the office
Use of vulgar/offensive language in any work-related context
Disparaging any student, client, co-worker, or constituent

Equal Treatment

Here at EMC, equal treatment is based on our commitment to civility. We have defined civility has continuously treating people with positive regard, consideration, and respect while valuing the culture and humanity of all. Below are some words that represented civility expectations while working with and at EMC.

Respect	Care
Consideration	Tact
Listening	Fairness
Decency	Kindness
Self-Control	Sincerity
Good Citizenship	Compassion
Trust	Mindfulness

Non-Discrimination Statement

Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC. (EMC) is committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintaining an environment which prohibits discriminatory behavior and provides equal opportunity for all persons. Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC. affirms its commitment to provide a welcoming and respectful work and educational environment, in which all individuals utilizing EMC services may benefit from each other’s experiences and foster mutual respect and appreciation of divergent views. Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC. will not be tolerant of conduct which violates rights guaranteed by the law and/or other state/federal policies.

Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, family/parental status, income, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment. Furthermore, EMC’s policy includes prohibitions of harassment of Users, (i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination).

ADA Commitment Statement

EMC is committed to providing all Users equal access to Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLC’s services. To aid in creating an accessible learning environment for Users with disabilities, if you require alternative means of communication for program information (i.e.: large print, audiotape, etc.) or encounter barriers on your website, with using your products or services please contact EMC’s Founder. This contact information can be found under “Contact Information”

Our website has been developed and regularly updated in accordance with the most recent World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are the widely used accessibility guidelines for the web. In addition, to complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

EMC will not tolerate any form of harassing and/or discriminatory behaviors and will take prompt action to stop such behaviors when known. Contact EMC’s Founder (Dr. Tamekia Scott at tscott@edquitymindedconsulting.com ) to report any incidents. To seek remedies and resolution outside of EMC review our User Comment, Complaints, Feedback, and Other Submission section for more details.

Contact Dr. Scott

User Comments, Complaints, Feedback and Other Submissions

If, at our request, you send certain specific submissions (for example feedback survey entries) or without a request from us, you send creative ideas, feedback, suggestions, proposals, plans, or other materials, whether online, by email, by postal mail, or otherwise (collectively, 'comments'), you agree that we may, at any time, without restriction, edit, copy, publish, distribute, translate and otherwise use in any medium any comments that you forward to us. We are and shall be under no obligation (1) to maintain any comments in confidence; (2) to pay compensation for any comments; or (3) to respond to any comments.

We may, but have no obligation to, monitor, edit or remove content that we determine in our sole discretion to be unlawful, offensive, threatening, libelous, defamatory, pornographic, obscene or otherwise objectionable or violates any party’s intellectual property or these Terms of Service.

You agree that your comments will not violate any right of any third-party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, personality or other personal or proprietary right. You further agree that your comments will not contain libelous or otherwise unlawful, abusive or obscene material, or contain any computer virus or other malware that could in any way affect the operation of the Service or any related website. You may not use a false e‑mail address, pretend to be someone other than yourself, or otherwise mislead us or third-parties as to the origin of any comments. You are solely responsible for any comments you make and their accuracy. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any comments posted by you or any third-party.

If you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e-mail or by mail using the details provided under “Contact and/or Invoice”.

If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you have the right to lodge your complaint with the relevant data protection authority. You can contact your local data protection authority, or our supervisory authority here: https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints . Additionally, the state of Illinois’ Personal Information Protection Act provides additionally resources and support at https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2702&ChapterID=67 ‍

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