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15 <br />Contract #68 -2001 <br />Northen Blue, L.L.P. <br />ATTACHMENT D <br />CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY <br />Orange County Department of Social Services <br />Instructions: This document is intended as an aid to assist non -State entities in establishing a <br />conflict of interest policy. It is not intended to be used verbatim, but rather to serve <br />as a template for nongovernmental organizations as they craft their individual <br />conflict of interest policy. This example includes definitions of what is considered <br />unacceptable, and the consequences of any breaches thereof. Each organization that <br />chooses to use this template should take care to make changes that reflect the <br />individual orizanization. <br />Conflict of Interest Defined: <br />A conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a (Contractor /staff <br />member/Board member) in an action that results in, or has the appearance of resulting in, <br />personal, organizational, or professional gain. A conflict of interest occurs when an <br />employee/Contractor/Board member has a direct or fiduciary interest in another relationship. A <br />conflict of interest could include: <br />➢ Ownership with a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee where <br />one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who receives <br />services. <br />➢ Employment of or by a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee <br />where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who <br />receives services. <br />➢ Contractual relationship with a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an <br />employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a <br />client who receives services. <br />➢ Creditor or debtor to a member of the Board of Directors /Trustees or an employee <br />where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who <br />receives services. <br />➢ Consultative or consumer relationship with a member of the Board of <br />Directors/Trustees or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority <br />over the other or with a client who receives services. <br />The definition of conflict of interest includes any bias or the appearance of bias in a <br />decision - making process that would reflect a dual role played by a member of the <br />organization or group. An example, for instance, might involve a person who is an <br />employee and a Board member, or a person who is an employee and who hires family <br />members as consultants. <br />Employee/Contractor/Board Member Responsibilities: <br />It is in the interest of the organization, individual staff, and Board members to strengthen trust <br />and confidence in each other, to expedite resolution of problems, to mitigate the effect and to <br />minimize organizational and individual stress that can be caused by a conflict of interest. <br />Employees are to avoid any conflict of interest, even the appearance of a conflict of interest. This <br />organization serves the community as a whole rather than only serving a special interest group. <br />The appearance of a conflict of interest can cause embarrassment to the organization and <br />jeopardize the credibility of the organization. Any conflict of interest, potential conflict of <br />Conflict of Interest Policy (06/04) Pagel of 3 <br />