What is an Ombudsman?
• A: The Department of Education has designated the Office of the Ombudsman to assist borrowers in informally addressing and resolving problems and complaints regarding their Title IV loans. These requirements apply to schools, lenders and guaranty agencies under three Title IV student loan programs: the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. For more information, contact the Office of the Ombudsman: U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Assistance FSA Ombudsman 830 First Street, NE Fourth Floor Washington, DC 20202-5144 (877) 557-2575 – Phone (202) 275-0549 – Fax http://ombudsman.ed.
An ombudsman is a person with authority to conduct thorough, impartial, independent investigations and to make recommendations to government organizations with respect to the problems of citizens. Normally ombudsman agencies investigate in response to citizen complaints but they can also investigate at their own initiative. In most cases an ombudsman is appointed by the legislature and can issue reports and recommendations to government officials and ultimately to the legislature. The Correctional Investigator is appointed by the Cabinet and may report on individual investigations up to the level of the Commissioner of Corrections or the Minister of Public Safety. Our investigations concern the problems of federal offenders related to the conduct and decisions of Correctional Service staff and agents. The Correctional Investigator’s Annual Reports or Special reports (on urgent topics) are provided to the Minister of Public Safety, who must by law table them in Parliament. The notion of
A133) The KHS Ombudsmans primary job is to help Members and their families better understand the mental health care system. The Ombudsman helps families with service issues, assisting a member filing a grievance or appeal and to refer members to advocacy organizations who can offer help and support. The Ombudsman can be reached at 1-866-547-0222.
The practice of ombudsing started with 19th century Scandinavian public officials who were appointed to investigate citizen complaints against governmental agencies. Today, organizational ombudsmen are often referred to as “designated neutrals.” As such, they do not advocate for any individual or cause, but for fairness and equity.
