3: Matthew Assisting Matthew in achieving his goals while respecting his culture requires a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and ethically grounded approach. As an African American male with a history of substance abuse, chronic unemployment, and social isolation, Matthew's lived experiences are shaped by systemic inequalities, including racial disparities in health care, employment, housing, and criminal justice systems. Culturally competent practice involves recognizing the intersectionality of Matthew's identity and challenges, including the stigma of mental illness and addiction in African American communities, as well as the distrust of institutions. A practitioner must engage Matthew in a nonjudgmental and empowering manner, helping him articulate short-term goalssuch as accessing SSI benefitswhile building trust and rapport that might later support the development of long-term planning. From an ethical standpoint, the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) Code of Ethics emphasizes integrity, respect for the dignity and welfare of all individuals, and the responsibility to avoid actions that may cause harm. Standard 3 of the NOHS Code states: "Human service professionals protect the integrity, safety, and security of the client's records and ensure that disclosures are in compliance with all relevant laws, policies, and regulations" (NOHS, 2015). In this case, filing a potentially fraudulent insurance claim violates both legal obligations