Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cherokee County DSS board approves strict staff conduct, confidentiality and social media policies
Summary
The board approved revised DSS policies including a permanent ban on personal relationships between staff and clients, stricter confidentiality rules, social-media limits and mandatory safety procedures.
At the Jan. 27, 2026 meeting the Cherokee County Department of Social Services board voted to approve a set of revised department policies aimed at clarifying staff conduct, confidentiality and safety.
The packet included the full text of several documents. The "Prohibition of Personal Relationships With Clients (\"No-Not-Ever Rule\")" states that DSS employees are "strictly prohibited from engaging in ANY personal relationship with clients" including friendships, romantic or financial relationships and social-media connections; the policy applies during the case, after case closure and indefinitely. The policy document and related Code of Conduct and Social Media & Technology Use Policy require staff to decline client friend requests online, avoid case discussion on social platforms and prohibit accepting gifts or money from clients. The Safety & Professional Standards Policy reiterates requirements for fieldwork approval, buddy systems and incident reporting.
Director McGee presented the policies; Dr. Catherine Yost said the policy is clear, moved to approve the policies as written, and Pat Ivie seconded. The minutes record that all present voted in favor. The minutes also direct the Administrative Officer/Clerk to note that December 16, 2025 had no quorum and that the December minutes will be presented at the February meeting.
The approved policies specify supervisory responsibilities to monitor boundary concerns, require reporting of violations to administrators, and list disciplinary consequences up to dismissal and reporting to licensing boards or law enforcement when appropriate. Staff are required to document receipt and acknowledgement of the policies.
