North Central Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council

Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works to protect the safety, civil rights, welfare and health of long-term care facility residents.

Website: http://ombudsman.myflorida.com/Volunteer.php

Contact: Ryan Miller, (352) 955-5015, millerr@elderaffairs.org

Address: 3801 NW 40^th Terrace, Suite A, Gainesville, FL, 32606

Who they are: Ombudsmen are specially certified and trained volunteers who have authority under Florida law to investigate, identify and resolve complaints that are made by, or on behalf, of residents in long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen educate residents, staff and families about the rights of residents, provide information about long-term care facilities, help to establish family and resident councils, and work to change regulations, policies, and laws that affect residents.

What they do: In addition to investigating and resolving the complaints of long-term care facility residents, Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program also promotes the enforcement of regulations and laws and advises and recommends policy to federal and state governments on issues relating to long-term care.

What YOU can do to help: If you are interested in volunteering with this program, fill out the Volunteer Application and mail it to the address listed above.

Volunteer Application: http://ombudsman.myflorida.com/volunteer/VolunteerApplication.pdf