College students should have a desire to gain experience as well as help the community. A local program entitled Texas Ombudsman Program is giving this opportunity to all who are interested. Sponsored by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), this program’s focus is to help achieve the best possible quality of life for residents in Texas nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Waller County, especially, is looking for volunteers to work in the nursing homes that are serviced by this program.
Those interested will provide assistance to and advise nursing home residents.Their main purpose is to advise nursing home residents of their rights, help look into problems which arise, assist residents, their families and nursing home staff to mediate and resolve disputes, and provide information to the public.
Prospective volunteers are given special training before beginning their duties which will give them certification under this program. Each volunteer is required to complete 36 hours of initial training, a 3-month internship in their assigned facility, and 12 hours of continuing education to maintain their certification.
Those interested can become a Certified Volunteer Ombudsman by contacting Amity Overall at 1-800-437-7396, by mail at P.O.Box 22777, Houston TX 77227, or by email at amity.overall.h-gac.com