Volunteer to support the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and your regional long-term care ombudsman program.

Ombudsman volunteers provide a voice for long-term care residents. Volunteers visit residents in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, observe conditions and care, and inform residents about their rights. Volunteers work with ombudsman staff to investigate and resolve resident complaints. We also offer internship opportunities for gerontology, social work, healthcare administration, communications and marketing students. 

Volunteers receive free ombudsman certification training. 16 hours of training takes place in the classroom with some additional self-study work at home and 13 hours of interactive field training with a staff ombudsman. Volunteers are asked to complete 18 continuing education units annually to maintain ombudsman certification.