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Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
“Ensuring the rights, dignity, and well-being of individuals living in long-term care today and tomorrow.”
The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. Our purpose is to protect and promote the Resident Rights guaranteed these residents under federal and state law and regulations.
We are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer and discharge, abuse and other aspects of resident dignity and rights.
LTCOP Bill Status & Upcoming Events
CLICK HERE to view the Bill Status Report provided by our Lobbyist, Melanie Smith for more information.
Events this week (2/2/2026 – 2/6/2026)
Labor & Commerce (Senate) – SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 2/2 @ 10:30am
- SB 6053 – Exec Session – Establishing labor protections for domestic workers. (Support/Low)
Labor & Commerce (Senate) – SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg – 2/3 @ 10:30am
- SB 6053 – Exec Session – Establishing labor protections for domestic workers. (Support/Low)
Ways & Means (Senate) – SHR 4 and Virtual JACB – 2/5 @ 1:30pm
- SSB 6070 – Public Hearing – Supporting the recovery of missing persons. (Remote Testimony Available). (Support/Low)
LTCOP Lobby Day 2026!
February 24th, 2026
United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Ave SE Ste 210, Olympia, WA 98501-225
Join us for LTC Ombuds Advocacy Day (Lobby Day) on February 24, 2026 and help amplify the voices of long-term care residents by meeting directly with your elected officials.
Participation in LTC Ombuds Advocacy Day includes meeting with your legislators. We will book your meeting appointment for you in advance. This allows us to pair advocates from the same voting district and coordinate directly with the offices of your elected officials. Once your appointment is scheduled, it will be sent to you. A final list of all scheduled appointments will be emailed to each registrant by February 23. All meetings will be scheduled for 11:00 a.m. or later on February 24.
You will receive an electronic advocacy packet prior to February 24 to help you prepare. On the day of the event, a printed folder packet will be provided when you check in for your appointments.
Please plan to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch while on the Capitol campus.
Registration is required. Please complete the registration form in advance no later than February 17th.
We look forward to advocating together and ensuring the needs and rights of long-term care residents are heard.
Parking information:Â You CANNOT park in the church parking lot.
View more parking information HERE (which also includes a campus map!)
If you have any questions, please contact Karli Vigilia, Data and QA Manager at (253)740-3006 or at karli.vigilia@mschelps.org
New Regulations Regarding Community Based Settings and the Discharge of Medicaid Residents
Beginning January 1, 2026, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, and enhanced services facilities must notify the State LTC Ombuds of transfers and discharges of Medicaid recipients under new state regulations. The new WAC requirements can be found at WAC 388-78A-2661 (assisted living facilities); WAC 388-76-10617 (adult family homes); WAC 388-107-0281 (enhanced services facilities).
Click Here for a Frequency Asked Questions resource created by the State LTCOP Office to support you in implementing the new requirements.
Please include your facility’s address (on the cover sheet or on the notice) so that we can identify the right resident in the right facility. Please complete all the fields on the DSHS Transfer/Discharge form, and please print legibly.
If you or your team members have any questions about the FAQ, please feel free to email at ltcop@mschelps.org or contact the State LTCOP office by phone at 1.800.562.6028.
Other helpful resources for these new requirements are RCS, your provider member association or your legal counsel.
Legal Counsel for Long-Term Care
Office of Civil Legal Aid
The new legal services program for Medicaid residents who are facing discharge or eviction from a community based care setting. (888) 437-0017
ResourcesWe’re Hiring: Central Washington Regional Long-Term Care Ombuds
The CW Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman provides resources to empower individuals, families, and the community to help ensure the safety and dignity of all residents in long-term care settings. This is done by educating residents, staff, family, and the larger community about the rights and laws that protect residents living in long-term care facilities. The CW Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a visible advocate who will actively visit long-term care facilities and receive and respond to complaints filed by, or on behalf of, a resident. CW Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman shall promote both individual and systematic complaint resolution activities, including community involvement, administrative and legislative monitoring and reporting.
If you have a passion for advocacy, supporting vulnerable populations, and ensuring quality long-term care services, we encourage you to review the full job description and apply!
Click Here to view the Job Description
Facility DSHS/Ombudsman Poster
WAC 388-97-0300
A posting of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all relevant state client advocacy groups such as the state survey and certification agency, the state licensure office, the state ombuds program, the protection and advocacy network, and the medicaid fraud control unit
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