The King County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program promotes and protects the rights, dignity, safety and quality of life of residents in long term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living and adult family homes). Residents who live in long term care facilities are guaranteed certain rights by Federal and State laws and regulations. The King County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program works to promote and protect these civil and resident rights.

Description:
The King County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program relies on a dedicated group of volunteers who advocate for the resident/civil rights of individuals who reside in long term care facilities.

This is an opportunity to help vulnerable adults who live in your community. Assignments are made at a location convenient to the volunteer. Each volunteer is supported by a Staff Ombudsman.

The commitment is completion of a four day training in order to be certified to volunteer with us. A Volunteer Ombudsman spends an average of four hours per week of Ombudsman activity, attends monthly in-service meetings and agrees to volunteer for one year.

In order to avoid conflict of interest, an individual who is currently working for a long term care facility, has worked in one in the past year, or plans to work in one in the next year, may not be certified to work with us.

History:
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program was initiated by former President Nixon through his 1971 initiative to improve the quality of care in America's nursing homes. In 1978, amendments were passed that established that an ombudsman program would include ombudsmen having access to facilities, investigating and resolving resident's complaints, training volunteers, establishing a state-wide system for reporting complaints, monitor federal, state and local related policy and residents' records and protect residents' confidentiality. This significantly strengthened and expanded the program. In terms of our local operations, the King County program is operating through Solid Ground.

Contact person: Mary Fogh, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (206) 675-8093

Address:

1501 N. 45th St. Seattle, WA 98103 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ltcop.org

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	No
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	No