Ethical Standards

Core Values Recovery

Organizational Ethical Standards

Effective Date: February 2026

Purpose

This document establishes the ethical, integrity, and transparency standards that govern Core Values Recovery (CVR) as an organization and guide all aspects of our ICF Level 1 Accredited Coach Training Program.


Our Ethical Foundation

Core Values Recovery exists to professionalize peer recovery coaching through evidence-based training, professional tools, and ongoing supervision. Everything we do—from curriculum design to student support to alumni engagement—is guided by three commitments:

  1. We serve the field of recovery coaching, not just our business.
  2. We tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
  3. We hold ourselves to the same standards we teach.

These aren’t marketing slogans. They’re operating principles.


Standards of Integrity

Curriculum Integrity

What we promise:

  • Our curriculum is evidence-based, drawing from established coaching methodologies, behavioral science, and recovery research.
  • We cite our sources. We acknowledge what works and what we don’t know.
  • We update our content when new evidence emerges.

How we ensure it:

  • All curriculum content is reviewed by our Director of Education (PCC-credentialed).
  • We track client outcomes from CVR-trained coaches and adjust methodology accordingly.
  • We don’t claim success rates we can’t document.

Accountability:

  • If we discover errors or outdated content, we correct it immediately and notify current students.
  • Alumni receive updated materials at no charge.

Business Integrity

What we promise:

  • We operate as a legitimate business with proper incorporation, licensing, and tax compliance.
  • We maintain transparent financial practices and clear contracts.
  • We don’t make promises we can’t keep.

How we ensure it:

  • Business license and incorporation documents are current and available upon request.
  • All financial agreements (payment plans, refunds, fees) are documented in writing before enrollment.
  • No verbal promises override written policies.

Accountability:

  • Students receive copies of all signed agreements.
  • Financial records are maintained according to applicable laws and ICF requirements.

ICF Compliance Integrity

What we promise:

  • We maintain ICF Level 1 Accredited Coach Training Program standards in every cohort.
  • We don’t cut corners to increase profit or enrollment.
  • We represent ICF requirements accurately to prospective students.

How we ensure it:

  • All faculty meet ICF credential requirements (ACC/PCC/MCC).
  • We deliver the required 80 hours of training, with 60% synchronous learning.
  • We provide all required observed sessions, mentor coaching, and performance evaluations.

Accountability:

  • We submit to ICF’s annual compliance reviews and address any findings immediately.
  • We maintain records for all students for 2+ years per ICF requirements.
  • If we lose accreditation, we notify all enrolled students within 48 hours and offer full refunds.

Standards of Transparency

Marketing Transparency

What we promise:

  • We tell the truth about outcomes, success rates, and job prospects.
  • We don’t manipulate testimonials or cherry-pick data.
  • We disclose costs clearly, including all fees and optional add-ons.

How we ensure it:

  • All success rate claims are documented and available for review.
  • Testimonials include both positive outcomes and challenges students faced.
  • Pricing page shows total cost, payment plan options, and any additional fees.

Accountability:

Student Data Transparency

What we promise:

  • We collect only the data necessary to run the program and comply with ICF requirements.
  • We never sell or share student data without explicit consent.
  • Students can access, correct, or delete their data at any time.

How we ensure it:

  • GDPR-compliant consent process for all data collection.
  • Secure storage of all student records (encrypted, access-controlled).
  • Clear documentation of what data we collect and why.

Accountability:

  • See our Data Privacy & GDPR Consent policy for full details.
  • Annual security audits of our data practices.
  • Breach notification within 72 hours if security is compromised.

Instructional Transparency

What we promise:

  • Students know exactly what they’re getting: 80 hours over 20 weeks, with specific deliverables.
  • Grading criteria for observed sessions and performance evaluations are clear and documented.
  • If we make changes to curriculum mid-cohort, we notify students and explain why.

How we ensure it:

  • Detailed curriculum architecture is publicly available.
  • Rubrics for all graded work are shared at the start of the program.
  • Course calendar shows all synchronous session dates and async deadlines.

Accountability:

  • Students receive a program handbook outlining all requirements.
  • Any mid-cohort changes require written notification and student acknowledgment.

Ethical Practices in Organizational Culture

How We Work Internally

Faculty & Staff Standards:

  • All faculty sign agreements committing to ICF Code of Ethics and CVR standards.
  • Faculty are evaluated by students and reviewed annually by the Director of Education.
  • We provide ongoing professional development for instructors, mentors, and observers.

Decision-Making Framework: When we face difficult decisions, we ask:

  1. Does this serve the student’s development as a coach?
  2. Does this maintain ICF standards?
  3. Would we be comfortable defending this publicly?

If the answer to any question is “no,” we don’t do it.

Conflicts of Interest:

  • If a CVR staff member has a financial or personal relationship with a student, they recuse themselves from grading/evaluation.
  • We don’t accept gifts or payments from students beyond tuition.
  • We disclose any partnerships or affiliations that could influence curriculum content.

How We Handle Mistakes

When we get it wrong:

  1. We acknowledge the mistake publicly.
  2. We explain what happened and why.
  3. We outline how we’ll prevent it from happening again.
  4. We make it right for affected students (refunds, retakes, additional support).

Recent examples:

  • [To be populated with actual incidents as they occur]

This section will remain empty until we have a mistake to document. When we do, we’ll list it here.


Accountability Framework

Who Enforces These Standards?

Internal Oversight:

  • Director of Education (Clay Johnson, PCC): Reviews all curriculum, faculty performance, and student outcomes.
  • Student Advisory Board: 3 current students + 2 alumni review policies and raise concerns.
  • Annual Self-Assessment: We complete ICF’s compliance survey and address any gaps.

External Oversight:

  • ICF Accreditation Review: Annual compliance audit by ICF.
  • Student Feedback: Anonymous end-of-program surveys with results published.
  • Complaint Process: See Complaint & Grievance Policy for formal process.

What Happens if We Violate These Standards?

Minor Violations (e.g., administrative errors, curriculum typos):

  • Immediate correction
  • Notification to affected students
  • Process improvement to prevent recurrence

Moderate Violations (e.g., missed session, faculty conflict of interest):

  • Formal investigation
  • Public acknowledgment
  • Corrective action (makeup session, faculty removal, etc.)
  • Report to ICF if applicable

Major Violations (e.g., fraud, data breach, ICF non-compliance):

  • Immediate halt of affected operations
  • Full investigation with external review if needed
  • Public disclosure
  • Remediation for all affected students
  • Notification to ICF and relevant authorities

Student Rights Under These Standards

As a CVR student, you have the right to:

  1. Question anything. If we claim something, you can ask for evidence.
  2. Hold us accountable. If we violate these standards, use the complaint process.
  3. Know what you’re paying for. Clear contracts, no hidden fees, transparent policies.
  4. Access your data. Request, correct, or delete your records at any time.
  5. Expect competent instruction. Faculty who meet ICF standards and know the material.
  6. Learn in a safe environment. Free from discrimination, harassment, or coercion.
  7. Graduate with legitimate credentials. ICF-recognized training that meets stated standards.

Living Document Commitment

These standards are not static. We review and update them annually, and whenever we identify a gap or learn something new about ethical practice.

Last reviewed: February 2026
Next review: February 2027

How to suggest improvements: Email ethics@bearecoverycoach.com with subject line “Ethical Standards Suggestion.”


Signature

By enrolling in the CVR Level 1 ACC program, you acknowledge:

  • You have read and understand these ethical standards.
  • You will hold CVR accountable to these commitments.
  • You agree to report any violations you observe.

Clay Johnson, PCC
Director of Education
Core Values Recovery


This document meets ICF Standard Three requirements for accredited training programs: written statement of ethical, integrity, and transparency standards with accountability framework.

Ready to Become a Recovery Coach?

ICF ACC based certification. 50+ AI practice clients. Lifetime weekly support. $2,379.

Apply for Next Cohort

Or explore the full curriculum first →