Program Overview
Join a wonderful community organization that provides free and confidential human rights work for some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Receive training and certification from the Indiana State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to work with your local area long-term care ombudsman program. Volunteer to empower and educate residents of nursing homes and licensed assisted living facilities to help protect their state and federal rights.
The Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a state and federally-funded program under the auspices of Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration. The Ombudsman Program serves long-term care residents by providing residents' rights education, visiting facilities, investigating complaints, and advocating for policy changes. We are currently seeking volunteers who are interested in serving adults who are older, disabled, or rehabilitating and live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Our goal is to offer flexible and rewarding volunteer experiences for people who would enjoy empowering residents in long-term care to live with dignity, improving the quality of care they receive, and utilizing skills to advocate for their rights.
Volunteers collaborate with a local area Ombudsman to match their interests and expertise to the needs of residents and/or the program. The following volunteer experiences are offered:
- Observation of conditions and care in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
- Providing residents' rights education to residents and resident councils/family councils.
- Advocating for changes to improve residents’ quality of life and care.
- Educating and informing consumers and the community about the Ombudsman program.
- Supporting the development of resident and family councils.
- Providing program services (clerical, marketing, technological, research, etc.)
- Internship and practicum opportunities for students in relevant college programs.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years-old and complete the Certified Volunteer Ombudsman training. This free training involves a 36-hour comprehensive certification training, including 16-20 hours of online classroom work, independent study, and at least 10 hours of interactive field mentorship with a local area ombudsman. Once certified, volunteers will be provided 15 hours of additional training annually.