The Long-term Care Ombudsman Program (LT COP) Policies and Procedures are designed to protect the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. The program is administered by the U.S. Administration on Aging and is funded through the Older Americans Act. The primary goal of this program is to ensure residents of long-term care facilities have access to quality care and services and are free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination. There are two main types of LT COP Policies and Procedures: State Policies and Procedures, and Federal Policies and Procedures. State Policies and Procedures are issued by each state and are designed to provide additional protection for long-term care facility residents. These policies and procedures vary from state to state, but generally require that facilities provide residents with certain rights, such as the right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination; the right to access and participate in the facility’s complaint process; and the right to access appropriate medical and other services. Federal Policies and Procedures are set by the U.S. Administration on Aging and are designed to ensure that all states are providing adequate protection for long-term care facility residents. These policies and procedures generally require that states have an ombudsman program in place, that state ombudsman programs have certain qualifications and training requirements, and that state ombudsman programs are adequately funded and staffed. In addition to the State and Federal Policies and Procedures, the LT COP also has its own set of policies and procedures. These policies and procedures provide guidance to Ombudsmen and ensure they are properly trained and equipped to effectively advocate for long-term care facility residents.