The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program operated by the Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency is accepting volunteers in the Rutherford County area.

Certified volunteers pay regular visits to long-term care facilities, where they spend time with residents, monitor conditions, investigate complaints, and educate residents about protecting their rights in regard to abuse and other patient issues. The program also offers mediation, complaint resolution and public education for residents, as well as their families.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a partner agency with the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. The Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency advocates for the rights of thousands of residents in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and homes for the aged in Rutherford County and 12 additional counties in Middle Tennessee.

Applicants are required to pass a background check and attend 16-hour, in-house training sessions.

All applications are due by Wednesday, Dec. 5, for the January training sessions. Those sessions will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, and Thursday, Jan. 17, in Nashville.

Individuals interested volunteering for the program should contact the agency by calling 615-452-1687 or 615-452-5259, or e-mail mharrison@mchra.com.