NORC Library

Consumer Voice Awarded Grant to Continue Operating National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center

July 22nd, 2021

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care has been awarded a five-year Cooperative Agreement from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to continue to operate the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC).

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) provides support, technical assistance, and training to the 53 State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (Ombudsman programs) and their statewide networks of 517 local Ombudsman entities (LOEs). NORC products and activities are intended to enhance the skills, knowledge, and management capacity of state Ombudsman programs to enable them to effectively respond to residents’ complaints and represent their interests on both an individual and systemic level. NORC strives to strengthen the program by highlighting innovative, effective approaches for providing Ombudsman program services to long-term care facility residents, regardless of age.
 
Over the next five-years, the Center will provide technical assistance and training to Ombudsmen, designated representatives of the Office (both paid and volunteer), and state agencies on aging to support credible, effective, and equitable Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs.

More details about annual tasks will be provided in the future, but highlights of special projects and training opportunities include:

• Creating an online training course based on the revised NORC Curriculum,
• Quarterly open dialogue technical assistance webinars,
• Continuing education opportunities (e.g., issues specific to residential care communities, individuals supported by Medicaid waivers, managed care program, guardianship and supported decision-making),
• Providing training and developing a resource regarding Ombudsman program collaboration with legal services to provide residents with legal assistance,
• Annual training regarding the National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS),
• Providing training and a resource to equip Ombudsman programs with strategies to address improper evictions in residential care communities,
• Supporting Ombudsman programs in increasing access to program services for residents living in rural and frontier areas, and
• Assisting Ombudsman programs in understanding equity and racial justice in long-term services and settings.

Consumer Voice has operated the NORC since 1993 and been involved in the NORC since 1988 and we are grateful for this opportunity to continue to support the important work of Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs across the country.