Center Funding Continues

June 13, 2003

NATIONAL LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN RESOURCE CENTER 

Center Funding Continues

The Administration on Aging has awarded its sub agreement to the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) for three years beginning June 1, 2003. Once again, the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) will be partnering with NCCNHR to provide services to the ombudsman network. AoA's timely review and awarding of the sub agreement  allows  the Center's work to continue without interruption

Highlights of the new agreement include:

- focus on program effectiveness

- emphasis on training, curriculum development, and training modules

- continuation of the Gazette, the website, and training conference calls

- daily technical assistance to ombudsmen and referrals for residents and family members

- collaborative partnerships on national initiatives including NHQI, HHQI

- emphasis on consumer education, residents' rights, family & resident councils

- strengthened training and mentoring program for new state ombudsmen 

Additional features include:

- new Center products being summarized for easy ombudsman use

- re-establishing a Center Advisory Committee

- NASUA's focus on three "national dialogues" that will provide discussion and useful products on multi-cultural diversity, ombudsman work in the community, and resident transition out of nursing homes

- Center staff will provide training at statewide and multi-state ombudsman conferences

- working with NASOP to implement public education about the ombudsman program

Alice Hedt, Center Director, reports that all current Center staff will continue working on Center tasks and consultants will provide their expertise beginning the second week in June.