Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, residents of long-term care facilities that relate to actions, inactions, or decisions of providers or representatives of providers of long-term care services, public agencies, or health and social services agencies that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of residents. 2. Inform residents about the means of obtaining services delivered by the providers or agencies described in item 1. 3. Provide witnessing services for Advanced Health Care Directives. 4. Ensure that residents have regular and timely access to the services provided through the LTC Ombudsman program and that the residents or other complainants receive timely responses from representatives of the LTC Ombudsman program. 5. Represent the interests of the residents before governmental agencies and seek administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the residents. 6. Recommend changes to relevant laws, regulations, policies, or actions as needed. This may include providing information that the office determines to be necessary to public and private agencies, legislators, and other persons, regarding the problems and concerns of residents of long-term care facilities and recommendations relating to resolving these problems and concerns. 7. Develop internal policies and procedures for recruitment, training, and retention of LTC Ombudsman certified volunteers. 8. Ensure that all LTC Ombudsman program services are free and confidential. 9. Meet all requirements established and requested by the State of California Department of Aging and the State’s LTC Ombudsman program for the operation of a local LTC Ombudsman program.