The Office prohibits investigation of any complaint by Office staff or an ombudsman volunteer, unless the person satisfactorily completed training required by the Office, and is approved by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman as qualified to investigate complaints.

1. (1) Office staff shall:
2. (A) Orient and train ombudsman staff representatives and determines satisfactory completion of prescribed training;
3. (B) Develop and periodically update training core curriculum;
4. (C) Assist area ombudsman staff train ombudsman volunteers;
5. (D) Provide on a quarterly basis, a minimum of forty hours of continuing education and training to ombudsman supervisors per year;
6. (E) Provide community education with area staff;
7. (F) officially certify newly-trained, ombudsman volunteers who met screening criteria; and
8. (G) Assist in the development of citizen organizations to participate in the Program.
9. (2) Area ombudsman staff shall:
10. (A) Hold public workshops for community education and volunteer recruitment;
11. (B) Train ombudsman volunteer applicants using the Office-prescribed core training format;
12. (C) Submit the name, facility assignment, and original signed Ombudsman Volunteer Application, of each volunteer recommended for designation;
13. (D) Accompany each newly-certified ombudsman volunteer on at least one introductory visit to the assigned facility to reinforce training and ensure the ombudsman volunteer's understanding of the ombudsman role; and
14. (E) Hold monthly meetings for continued training and supervision of designated ombudsman volunteers to annually achieve a minimum of eighteen hours per volunteer of continuing education relevant to the care of older persons and persons with disabilities.

<div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Transferred from 340:105-11-240 by SB 1709 (2024), eff 11-1-24</span></div>

Amended at 42 Ok Reg, Number 20, effective 7-11-25

Amended at 43 Ok Reg, Number 18, effective 6-11-26