About Us

The Ombudsman program was initiated by President Nixon in 1972. In 1977, Mt. Diablo Rehabilitation Center was awarded the contract for Contra Costa. Ours was the second program in the State of California. After 14 years, we became an independent non-profit in 1991 and incorporated as Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa.

The responsibilities of the Long Term Care Ombudsman are defined in the Federal Older Americans Act and by the Older Californians Act enacted in 1996.

Our agency works hard to prevent the abuse and neglect of residents of licensed long term care facilities by:

• Providing information to residents about their rights.
• Promoting the development of resident and family councils.
• Providing education to residents, their families and facility staff about Residents’ Rights.
• Serving as mandated reporters of suspected abuse of elders and dependant adults residing in licensed long term care facilities.

Our staff and volunteers protect residents through intervention by:

• Providing residents with regular access to our services by making unannounced visits to licensed long term care facilities.
• Assisting residents in asserting their rights and expressing grievances on issues pertaining to their health, safety, welfare and rights within the facility.
• Working with other agencies including the licensing agencies, local police, local fire and Adult Protective Services to protect the residents’ safety and well-being.

Our agency investigates reports of suspected abuse and neglect of residents living in licensed long term care facilities including:

• Financial abuse.
• Sexual abuse.
• Neglect.
• Verbal and physical abuse.