East SBV Times

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announced that the final Budget Act of 2024 includes $5.25 million in additional annual funding for local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Additionally, up to $1 million in annual funding is expected to begin in 2025-2026 from the California Department of Public Health’s State Health Facilities Citations Account, contingent on the stability of its reserves.

“I am thrilled to count this as a legislative win for aging adults and adults with disabilities,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “My heartfelt thanks to Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Reyes, Assemblymember Wood, Senator Dodd, and all supporters. This funding is crucial for the health and safety of long-term care residents, and it was made possible by our community's dedicated advocacy.”

“Our local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs would not have secured this $5.25 million in additional state funding without Senators Ochoa Bogh and Dodd jointly sponsoring CLTCOA’s request to the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Human Services,” said Jason Sullivan-Halpern, Association Director for the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association. “It will go a tremendously long way towards increasing the total number of staff and volunteers for those programs statewide, which will result in more access to LTC Ombudsman services for facility residents. This will in turn enable our local programs to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for tens of thousands of older adults and adults with disabilities living in long-term care facilities across California.”

The additional funding will empower local LTC Ombudsman Programs to more effectively advocate for residents of long-term care facilities, ensuring their rights and well-being are prioritized. While this funding is largely short-term, it marks a significant step forward in supporting aging adults and adults with disabilities.