North Central Washington Regional Support Network
Contents
Ombudsman Services
Ombudsmen are advocates who help ensure individual rights are respected and services respond to consumer needs and preferences. Your mental health ombudsman can help you resolve problems at the lowest level possible, but can also help you through the grievance procedure and/or the fair hearing process.
- Mediator or Advocate? Your mental health ombudsman is an advocate for the consumer. The ombudsman's goal is to help achieve the outcome sought by the consumer.
- What About Confidentiality? You can discuss your problem with your mental health ombudsman with confidence. Your ombudsman must have your permission to discuss the problem with anyone, as the law allows.
- Who Does The Mental Health Ombuds Work For? North Central Washington Regional Support Network contracts with Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington to provide mental health ombudsman services in Adams, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties. The ombudsman functions independently of the Regional Support Network.
- Is There Any Cost? Mental Health Ombudsman services are free.
- Who Can Access Ombuds Services? Consumer of public mental health services, family members and friends of consumers.
- How Can I Help The Ombudsman Resolve My Case?
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- Be ready to supply as much detail as needed to resolve your problem, such as names, dates and specific complaints.
- Be ready to sign an authorization for the release of information concerning your mental health services.
- Be ready to tell the ombudsman what specific remedy you want.
Contact Information
- Mental Health Ombudsman
- Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington
- Attn: Jeff Howard
- 1336 S. Pioneer Way, Suite 103
- Moses Lake, WA 98837-2410
- Phone: 1-800-346-4529
- Fax: 509-766-2573
- E-Mail: howarj@dshs.wa.gov