“We commend the CSRA Ombudsman Program for its excellent performance. Through their commitment and hard work, this group of ombudsmen have successfully advocated for numerous residents of long-term care facilities, helping to protect their rights and to improve their lives," said Becky A. Kurtz, State Ombudsman.

Georgia Legal Services Program operates the CSRA long-term care ombudsman program through a contractual arrangement with the CSRA Regional Development Center, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA). “We are very proud of the CSRA program and its local management,” said Jeannette Cummings, Director of the AAA.

The program performance assessment looked at the following services: complaint handling, information and assistance, community education, in-service education to long-term care facility staff, routine visitation in facilities, issues advocacy, interagency coordination, resident and family council activities, and volunteer administration.

The community ombudsman program also achieved or exceeded standards in these elements in fiscal years 2004 and 2003.

GLSP's Angela Chavous, staff ombudsman, was given the 2005 Special Initiatives Award by the Georgia Ombudsman Program for exemplary efforts advocating with and for residents of long-term care communities.

GLSP's Kathy Jones, coordinator, received the 2003 Outstanding Service Award for her consistent, well-balanced approach in serving the residents of long-term care facilities.