Oregon ombuds offices brief committee on oversight, volunteer programs and a fatal memory-care case

Representatives of three ombuds offices — the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman, the Residential Facility Ombudsman, and the Foster Care Ombudsman — briefed the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services Tuesday on their oversight roles, investigatory authority, volunteer programs and areas where they seek system changes.

Fred Steele, Oregon’s state Long Term Care Ombudsman and director of the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman, described the office’s independence and investigatory powers under state and federal law and said the office can bring legislative proposals directly to lawmakers when necessary. “We can and we do” take positions on bills affecting residents, Steele said, adding the office tries to coordinate with the governor’s office but may act without its approval when residents’ interests require it.

Steele told the committee the office and related programs together serve roughly 55,000 Oregonians and rely heavily on volunteers: about 120 volunteers who complete a six-day training and ongoing continuing-education requirements, supported by roughly 10 deputy ombudsman who operate across regions. He said volunteers are typically assigned to one or two facilities and that the program can currently assign volunteers to about 32% of…