Providing self-directed advocacy for individuals living in homes licensed or certified for Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health conditions. Changes in federal law and revisions to Oregon statute now allow for Ombudsman services to expand beyond traditional senior settings to include 10,000+ individuals residing in the state's more than 2,600 homes and facilities licensed
and certified for Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health conditions. Senior adults living in long-term care facilities have benefited for more than 35 years from the state's Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which is the office under which RFO program operates. Ombudsman services have proven to be a longstanding and successful national model of advocacy dedicated to the perspective of the individual resident. RFO's deputy ombudsmen are personal and independent advocates. We work in partnership with, and on behalf of, individuals receiving services to respond to and resolve complaints or issues and to ensure quality of life and resident rights. How we can help:
- Visit individuals in their homes through regular, unannounced visits
- Receive, identify and investigate concerns on behalf of individuals
- Educate and assist individuals to resolve complaints and exercise their rights
- Advocated to resolve resident rights and quality of life issues
- Identify and report systemic issues affecting services for individuals
- Provide a free and confidential service
Please follow our page for continued updates on the RFO program progress. We are currently seeking volunteers in Multnomah, Josephine, Union, Umatilla and Klamath Counties.
