Program Highlights

The North region successfully completed its first concerted effort to celebrate Resident’s Rights month. Representatives successfully obtained proclamations from 6 local county/city governments, attended Resident Council Meetings at 55% of skilled nursing facilities in the region, played Resident’s Rights BINGO at 55% of the skilled nursing facilities, sent activities and Resident’s Rights Month information to 100% of the skilled nursing facilities in the region, and successfully coordinated with 5 local newspapers to include information about Resident’s Rights Month and highlighted 14 NH residents across the region. Representatives also completed 4 Resident Rights in-services at NHs and 5 community education sessions with the general public and elected officials about the Ombudsman program and Resident’s Rights month. Additionally, information about our efforts was shared to our social media page along with outreach/information regarding “Tips for Great Visits with residents with cognitive needs” and “101 Things to Do while visiting with your Older Adult.”

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is pleased to announce that Kim Johnson-Prince, Ombudsman Services Coordinator/Trainer and Liang-Lin Chao, Ombudsman Services Coordinator are among a select few aging professionals who were chosen to participate in American Society on Aging Rise: Preparing Diverse Talent to Lead in the Field of Aging.

According to the ASA website:  

“Simply put, ASA Rise is a launching pad for the next generation of aging leadership. Our vision for ASA Rise is that it will lead to improved well-being across an increasingly diverse aging population by creating a BIPOC leadership pool that improves policies and programs at the local, state and national levels.

Outcomes:

• Provide training and mentorship in the field of aging on fundamental principles of advocacy, social justice and leadership development.
• Build a national, cross-industry network of peers and thought leaders.
• Complete a national project that contributes to thought leadership or innovates service delivery in aging as part of ASA’s On Aging Institute.
• Deepen appreciation for the unique dynamics that come with being a BIPOC leader.”

ASA selected 30 fellows nationwide to join the inaugural cohort of this important program. We are grateful that ASA is recognizing Kim and Lin and their accomplishments working for the Georgia Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman supporting Ombudsman Representatives and residents of long-term care facilities.

Kim and Lin are excellent leaders in Georgia and now have an opportunity to be leaders with this national organization.

The Office of the State Ombudsman held their second Volunteer Training Conference on April 18-19, 2023 in Macon, Georgia. Presenters included from the Division of Aging Services, Aimee Stowe, State Legal Services Developer, (pictured) Victoria Windsor Foisy, ADRC Specialist, Ajene Hall, Transitions Specialist, Naquan Escort, Options Counselor as well as Catherine Colcombe from the Alzheimer’s Association (pictured).