1. (a) The Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized under Section 712 of the Older Americans Act, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Act, Arkansas Code § 20-10-601 et seq.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The program protects and improves the quality of care and quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities through:

      1. (A) Individual and systemic advocacy for and on behalf of residents; and
      2. (B) The promotion of community involvement in long-term care facilities.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) The program is a resident-centered advocacy program.
      2. (B) The resident is the program’s client, regardless of the source of the complaint or request for service.
   3. (3) The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman will make every reasonable effort to assist, empower, represent, and advocate on behalf of the resident.

3. (c) These policies govern the operations of the:

   1. (1) Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman;
   2. (2) Certified staff and volunteer ombudsman representatives;
   3. (3) Provider agencies;
   4. (4) Area agencies on aging;
   5. (5) The Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services; and
   6. (6) Other parties involved in the operation of the program.

Codification Notes: 712 of the Older Americans Act was enacted through the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1992, Pub. L. No. 102-375, and is codified at 42 U.S.C. § 3058g.