Enclosure (1) to COMDINST 1750.4D
Procedures for Appointing Ombudsmen
1. Finding a qualified Ombudsman is critical to the success of the ombudsman program.
Commands shall make every effort to recruit a volunteer that provides a good match
between the skills and interests of the volunteer and the priorities of the command.
These recruitment efforts will pay off in the quality of tasks performed and the
Ombudsman level of satisfaction with the position.
2. Recruitment. Commanding officers may advertise at housing, through command or
other newsletters, a letter to the command, website, job announcement or other
methods. Whatever the method or combination of methods used to advertise the
position, the desired qualities of the Ombudsman candidate should be included in the
advertisement. Additionally, it is important to state the potential duties, eligibility
criteria, contact information to obtain information about the position, training and travel
requirements, application deadline, how to obtain an application to volunteer as a Coast
Guard Ombudsman, and reference requirements. Advertisements for the Ombudsman
program shall include: immediately report all allegations, suspicions and substantiated
incidents of family violence; not serve as a professional counselor; provide information
to families on the variety of services and benefits available; use local command and
Coast Guard Work-Life Services as the first priority in their referral process; compile
information on assistance agencies; compile information on requests from families
concerns that address the total command; report identified issues to the command;
attend annual training for updates to this program; provide leadership and advocacy for
the ombudsman program and specific concerns; promote interagency cooperation and
information sharing; ensure confidentiality of information given by family members is
maintained and provided only to command personnel on a need-to-know basis and;
compile demographic information for program reporting.
a. Selection. Matching the right ombudsman volunteer will be an important part of the
success of the program. Making the match involves using a series of screening
techniques that will allow the command and the potential Ombudsman volunteer to
get to know each other and decide whether and how to best work together
professionally. Commanding officers appointing Ombudsman shall use the
following screening tools: application, central registry check, references, and
interview.
b. Application. Prospective Ombudsman shall complete an application to volunteer as
a Coast Guard Ombudsman. Commanding officers will need to decide after
reviewing the application whether to continue with the screening process.
c. Central registry checks. Prospective Ombudsman shall be informed that the
information on the first page of the application will be used for central registry
verification. Potential Ombudsman with a family violence history shall not be
appointed as a command ombudsman unless cleared by the servicing family
advocacy specialist. Commanding officers shall submit the request though their
assigned family advocacy specialist. Ombudsman may not be appointed before
notification that the screen has been completed with results.
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