Page 37 - Ombudsman Participant Manual Optimized_Neat

pavement. The facility wanted to pave the road but there was a dispute between the state and the township regarding
“jurisdiction”. The local ombudsman assisted the residents in connecting with township supervisors and state
employees and eventually, the road was paved.

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Documentation Expectations: Systems advocacy work considered program activity and does need to be

documented. Please consult the OmbudsManager Desk reference for detailed guidance.

Supplemental Information: A training parable might be the best way to explain systems advocacy….
While walking along the river, I noticed people frantically trying to save kittens that were drowning in the river current.
There were lots of kittens – all struggling and several people doing everything they could to rescue the kittens. Instead
of jumping in to help, I decided to turn around and walk away from that part of the river. Some of the people in the
water saving the kittens became angry and yelled to me “Hey! Where are you going? You should be in here helping us!”
I replied “I’m going up-stream to see who is throwing these kittens in the water!”
Sometimes, we need both approaches to a problem: assistance to the individual and efforts “up-stream” at the source
of the problem.

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