1. USING SYSTEMS ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
Karen Jones, NALLTCO Co-Chair
Cindy Englert, NALLTCO Co-Chair
Louise Ryan, Ombudsman Specialist, ACL/AoA

2. Who is Joining Us Today? Local Ombudsman Representative
(volunteer or paid staff)
Employee of the State Ombudsman
State Ombudsman
Other?

3. Older Americans Act – Systems Advocacy
What is systems advocacy?
Role of State and Local Ombudsman programs
State Ombudsman - recommend changes to laws, regulations, and policies as the Office determines to be appropriate; and
Provide leadership to statewide systems advocacy efforts of the Office … including coordination of systems advocacy efforts carried out by representatives of the Office.
Local - duties of the representatives of the Office are to “review, and if necessary, comment on … government policies and actions
Louise: A State’s policies and procedures must assure that the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (the Office) has sufficient authority to carry out its responsibility to, among other things, recommend changes to laws, regulations, and policies as the Office determines to be appropriate. (Older Americans Act Section 712(h)(2); 45 CFR (e)(5); emphasis added) - Recommending changes in laws, regulations, policies, and actions as the Office determines to be appropriate is specifically a function and responsibility of the Ombudsman. (OAA Section 712(a)(3)(G); 45 CFR (a)(7)(ii)) - The Ombudsman must fulfill other functions related to systems advocacy, including “leadership to statewide systems advocacy efforts of the Office … including coordination of systems advocacy efforts carried out by representatives of the Office.” (45 CFR (a)(7)(iv)).
We note that the Rule does not prohibit the Ombudsman from delegating some systems advocacy activities to representatives of the Office. In fact, among the duties of the representatives of the Office are to “review, and if necessary, comment on … government policies and actions.” (OAA Section 712(a)(5)(B)(v)(I); 45 CFR (a)(5)(i); emphasis added). This means that the Ombudsman (consistent with Ombudsman program policy and procedures) can specify under what circumstances it may be necessary for a representative of the Office to comment on government policies and actions.

4. Advocacy – external and internal
Advocacy strategies…
May be internal to your agency
May be administrative advocacy
May be legislative advocacy
Advocating for program resources may involve all of the above
Louise

5. Unified Statewide Program
The Ombudsman, as head of the Office, shall have responsibility for the leadership and management of the Office in coordination with the State agency, and, where applicable, any other agency carrying out the Ombudsman program…
This is a group effort!
45 CFR (2)(e )(5) Policies and procedures related to systems advocacy must assure that the Office is required and has sufficient authority to carry out its responsibility to analyze, comment on, and monitor the development and implementation of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and other government policies and actions that pertain to long-term care facilities and services and to the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents, and to recommend any changes in such laws, regulations, and policies as the Office determines to be appropriate.

6. Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.
Eleanor Brown

7. How could your residents thrive if you had more resources for your Ombudsman program? How could your staff and volunteers thrive if you had more resources for your Ombudsman program?

8. Building Your Dream Ombudsman Program
Work in small groups 2 – 3 people
10 minutes to complete your dream
Use federal Ombudsman requirements (see handout)

9. Building Your Dream
Money is not an issue – you can have as much as you need. If you spend it all, you get more.
Local, state and federal politicians are helpful and willing to write AND pass any laws you need
You have to comply with Federal Ombudsman requirements

10. Share Your Dream How many staff would you add?
What would your office look like?
What technology would you and your Ombudsman use?

11. Share Your Dream How many facility visits would you make?
How would you educate residents and the community about long term care issues?
How would you structure your program management?
What else?

12. How Do You Achieve Your Dream?
The California Experience
2007/08 – All state funds cut
2013 Federal sequestration – budget cuts
Tons of staff positions and office hours cut
Volunteer numbers down (no one to support them)
Facility visits and complaints down and all other services too

13. Ombudsman Advocacy to the Rescue!
We significantly increased the effectiveness of the State Local Ombudsman Association
We passed legislation to be sure the State Ombudsman was allowed to take positions on funding or laws without permission from the Governor’s office
We used legislative advocacy to restore state funding

14. Turning Your Dreams to Reality
Build your state Ombudsman association, if applicable and work with your state Ombudsman
Protection
Strength in numbers
Staffing to achieve goals
Get to know your state legislative process
Get to know your legislators

15. Turning Your Dreams to Reality
Learn where you can find bill information
Under the direction of the state Ombudsman comment on bills – let legislators know how bills will affect facility residents
Get to know current laws

16. Turning Your Dreams to Reality
Talk with legislators – they have staff who will help you
Be a resource to legislators
They need your help too

17. Create Your Message Be sure you have a message to share
Check the dark side
View your message from all sides
Most IMPORTANT RULE!!!!!
NEVER EVER GIVE A POLITICIAN A PROBLEM WITHOUT ALSO GIVING THEM A SOLUTION. YOU WILL NOT LIKE THEIR SOLUTION.

18. Get Help NALLTCO State Ombudsman CLTCOA Consumer Voice
Aging Associations
AARP
Advocacy Associations/Agencies

19. When You Get Back to Your Office…
My first step is______________
I am going to do these three things to make it happen_________ ________ _________
I am going to reach out for help if I need it

20. Questions?