Library: Policy

340:105-11-234.2. Duties of representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Office)

Issued 9-15-17

The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Ombudsman) may designate an entity as a local ombudsman entity and may designate an employee or volunteer of the local ombudsman entity as an Office representative. Office representatives may also be designated employees or volunteers within the Office.An individual designated as an Office representative per Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) and Office policies and procedures:

(1) identifies, investigates, and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of residents that relate to action, inaction, or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of the residents;

(2) provides assistance to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents;

(3) ensures residents in the local ombudsman entity service area have regular and timely access to the services provided through the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and that residents and complainants receive timely responses to requests for information and complaints;

(4) represents the interests of residents before government agencies and ensures individual residents have access to and pursue, as the representative determines necessary and consistent with resident interest, administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the residents;

(5) reviews, and when necessary, comments on any existing and proposed laws, regulations, and other government policies and actions pertaining to residents' rights and well-being;

(6) facilitates public comment on the laws, regulations, policies, and actions;

(7) promotes and provides technical support for development and ongoing support when requested by resident and family councils; and

(8) carries out other activities the Ombudsman determines to be appropriate.