CO SW Jurisprudence flashcards
CO SW Jurisprudence · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- LSW scope of practice
- Master's-level license permitting generalist social work under supervision; it does not authorize independent clinical diagnosis, psychotherapy, or private practice without oversight.
- LICSW independent practice
- The highest Colorado social work tier, allowing independent clinical practice, supervision of other clinicians, and private practice without any supervisory requirement.
- Title protection rule
- Only licensed individuals may legally use the titles social worker, LSW, LCSW, or LICSW; unlicensed use is a violation subject to Board action.
- Out-of-scope practice
- Providing services beyond what the license authorizes, such as an LSW diagnosing independently; this is a disciplinary violation even if the license is active.
- LCSW supervised hours
- Post-master's supervised clinical experience, commonly 3,360 hours over at least 24 months, documented with signed logs and a qualified supervisor.
- Licensure by endorsement
- A pathway for licensees from other jurisdictions with substantially equivalent requirements; the Colorado Board reviews transcripts, hours, and exam scores.
- Supervision documentation
- Signed supervision logs recording dates, hours, and supervisor credentials; incomplete documentation causes applications to be rejected or delayed.
- Renewal continuing education
- Required CE hours each renewal cycle, including mandated ethics and cultural competency content; noncompliance can result in license lapse or discipline.
- Child abuse reporting threshold
- Any person with reasonable cause to know or suspect child abuse or neglect must report immediately to the county or law enforcement; proof is not required.
- Personal reporting duty
- The duty to report child abuse is individual and cannot be delegated; internal notification alone does not satisfy the legal obligation.
- Good-faith immunity
- Reporters acting in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability, even if the investigation later finds no abuse occurred.
- False report liability
- Knowingly making a false child abuse report is unlawful and exposes the reporter to criminal and civil consequences, distinct from good-faith error.
- At-risk adult definition
- A person 18 or older unable to protect themselves due to physical or mental disability, or who has a guardian appointed by a court.
- Exploitation reporting
- Financial or other exploitation of an at-risk adult must be reported to the county or law enforcement immediately upon reasonable suspicion.
- Adult protective services
- The county agency that investigates reports of at-risk adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation and arranges protective services.
- Self-neglect reporting
- An at-risk adult's failure to provide for basic needs is reportable neglect in Colorado, even when the adult refuses offered services.
- Confidentiality versus privilege
- Confidentiality is an ethical and statutory duty not to disclose; privilege is the client's evidentiary right to prevent compelled testimony in legal proceedings.
- HIPAA minimum necessary
- A covered entity must limit protected health information disclosed to the least amount needed for the purpose, absent a valid authorization.
- Psychotherapy notes protection
- Notes analyzing conversation content kept separately receive heightened HIPAA protection and generally require separate client authorization for release.
- Minor consent and confidentiality
- Parents generally consent for minors, but Colorado allows minors to consent to certain services, and those records must remain confidential from parents.
- Informed consent elements
- Disclosure of service nature, risks, benefits, alternatives, fees, confidentiality limits, and the right to withdraw, documented before treatment begins.
- Record retention period
- Mental health records must be kept for a defined period after termination, commonly seven years for adults and longer for minors; verify current rule.
- Record correction method
- Errors are corrected by adding a dated addendum; original entries are never altered or deleted, preserving the integrity of the clinical record.
- Valid records authorization
- A written release naming the recipient, purpose, and expiration date, signed by the client or representative, unless a legal exception applies.
- Dual relationship test
- A second role with a client is prohibited when it risks exploitation or impairs objectivity; sexual relationships with clients are always prohibited.
- Boundary crossing versus violation
- A crossing is a discussable deviation that may benefit the client; a violation is harmful, secretive, and typically exploits the power differential.
- Fee splitting prohibition
- Social workers may not give or receive payment for client referrals; such arrangements are unethical and may also violate law.
- Supervisee dual relationships
- Supervisors must avoid relationships with supervisees that impair evaluation objectivity; sexual relationships with supervisees are always prohibited.
- 72-hour emergency hold
- An M-1 hold permits detention for up to 72 hours for evaluation when a person appears imminently dangerous or gravely disabled.
- Gravely disabled standard
- A condition from a mental health disorder leaving a person unable to provide for basic needs, with danger to self or others.
- Duty to warn and protect
- A therapist who determines a client seriously threatens an identifiable person may disclose limited information to that person and law enforcement.
- Grounds for Board discipline
- Practicing outside scope, unprofessional conduct, fraud, impairment, and failure to report abuse can lead to denial, suspension, revocation, or probation.