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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2007

Governor, Department of Aging Congratulate Cleveland Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman on 30 Years of Consumer Advocacy
Oldest of the State's Regional Programs Set the Standard for Leadership

COLUMBUS - Governor Ted Strickland today joins Barbara E. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging, and Beverley Laubert, the State Long-term Care Ombudsman, in congratulating the Cleveland Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman on its 30th anniversary. Ombudsmen field complaints about long-term care services and voice clients' needs and concerns to nursing homes, home health agencies and other providers of long-term care.

"In 30 years, the dedicated and compassionate professionals and volunteers of the Cleveland Regional Ombudsman have made a profound difference in the lives of tens of thousands of consumers and their families in northeast Ohio," Strickland said. "We sincerely thank them for their leadership and innovation, as well as for serving as a shining example of advocacy across the state."

"While the Cleveland Regional Ombudsman employs only 14 paid staff, they utilize a network of 116 volunteers - 20 percent of all ombudsman volunteers in the state - to be their eyes and ears in more than 500 long-term care facilities in the area," said Riley. "They have contact with nearly 3,000 consumers each year and investigate approximately 1,700 complaints. Their hard work and visibility in the community helps to ensure a high quality of care and quality of life for all they serve."

"Inspiring and creative development efforts that educate and empower consumers are a hallmark of the Long-term Care Ombudsman in Cleveland," Laubert added. "Throughout the years, the Cleveland program has demonstrated leadership in program development, individual and systems advocacy, development and activities of the Ohio Association of Regional Long-term Care Ombudsmen, and much more."

Ohio's Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman advocates for consumers of nursing facilities, residential care facilities, home care providers and other adult care facilities. Paid staff and volunteers work to resolve complaints about services, help people select a provider and offer information about benefits and consumer rights. Twelve Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman programs safeguard consumers of care services in their areas, under the direction of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman.

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.