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Certified Ombudsman Trainers

Ombudsman Basic Training (OBT) is a standardized 16 1/2 hour training course for command ombudsmen. Only CNIC-certified ombudsman trainers (COTs) are authorized to instruct OBT. COT applications are located on the FFSP Web site at the tab for Ombudsman Training Schedules, under the section for COT Training. Please ensure that applications are completed in full before submitting to CNIC’s Ombudsman Training Coordinator. Candidates should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the Ombudsman Program which is reflected on the application and in the letters of recommendation.  

Suicide Prevention (new)

The information provided here is not part of the current Ombudsman Program Manual and OBT training materials. Please insert it as parts of pages 132 – 134 in your manual, under the sections “Recognizing Suicide Warning Signs” and “How to Assist Individuals at Risk for Suicide”, respectively.

The Suicide Slides and accompanying OBT IG – Suicide – will explain the new information.

Region Train-the-Trainer Eligibilty Requirements

Region Train the Trainers (RTTs), teach Certified Ombudsman Trainers who then teach Ombudsman Basic Training. Those individuals nominated to become RTTs must be current Certified Ombudsman Trainers, display an extended knowledge of the Ombudsman Program and be experienced trainers and/or facilitators. Specific criteria apply and all candidates must be nominated by the Regional Program Director. 

Criteria: To ensure the integrity and standardization of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program, the following requirements have been established for an individual to be eligible for consideration in becoming a Region Train the Trainer:

  • Be a current Certified Ombudsman Trainer with a minimum of two years experience and a minimum of having taught five OBT classes with documentation. Include copies of class rosters for each class taught. As a Certified Ombudsman Trainer, all the criteria to become COT trained will still apply.
  • Submission of OBT evaluations of the most recently taught OBT class.
  • Must have a proven track record of training. (This could be confirmed in the letter of recommendation accompanying nomination. Whenever possible, the Regional Director or Site Manager should have seen the nominee teach at least one OBT class.)

 

Certified Ombudsman Trainers’ (COTs) Town Hall Meeting
Most conferences and symposiums have been put on hold until further notice. As a means of sharing information, CNIC HQ will host Town Hall Meetings for Certified Ombudsman Trainers (COTs) and Ombudsman Coordinators beginning in April 2012 with the Ombudsman Coordinators. The COT Town Hall Meeting will follow in up-coming months. Schedules will be posted with the Ombudsman Program Webinar Schedules on the FFSP web site and will be accessed via the Learning Management System (LMS). Topics will include program updates, roles and responsibilities and will include a chance for you to ask your questions.
 

Certified Ombudsman Trainer Transfer Policy

Certifed Ombudsman Trainers (COTs) are a valuable resource to the ombudsman program and Commander, Navy Installations Command has developed a transfer policy for COTs. CNIC's Ombudsman Training Coordinator will be informed of all transferring COTs and will assist with the transfer process. COTs must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Current ombudsman
  • Senior Leadership Spouse
  • Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) staff
  • Others on a case by case basis

The outgoing FFSC Ombudsman Coordinator will contact the incoming FFSC Ombudsman Coordinator to provide the following information for the transferring COT:

  • COT training dates
  • Copy of COT certificate
  • Date last taught OBT
  • Letter of recommendation from Site Manager or Director, and Ombudsman Coordinator. Ombudsmen should have a letter of recommendation from their Commanding Officer.

The receiving Site Manager or Director must inform CNIC's Ombudsman Training Coordinator of their approval for the perspective COT to teach within their region. Additionally, the CO that accepts the COT as his/her ombudsman, must be given the opportunity to accept the responsibility of any funding needs that may occur for training purposes when assigning the COT as their command ombudsman. If they do not agree to this funding responsibility, they may still appoint the COT as their ombudsman. That COT, however, will need to find alternate funding for training purposes. The installation FFSC, or the region, may choose to accept responsibility for this funding. If no funding is available for the ombudsman COT, training opportunities will be limited to the local area and the transferring COT will not be able to be fully utilitzed as a trainer.
 

Certified Ombudsman Trainer Application

 

De-certification of Trainers

De-certification is a serious action and must be given careful consideration. After every reasonable effort has been made to correct the deficiency, the sponsoring command should submit a de-certification letter to CNIC (N911A14). Only CNIC's Ombudsman Program Coordinator can de-certify a trainer. De-certifcation of a Certified Ombudsman Trainer may be necessary for:

  • Instructors who have not taught for 18 months or their skills have deteriorated to the point they cannot instruct OBT effectively. Re-certification is required and will be approved only after instructors complete the Certified Ombudsman Trainer course again.
  • Instructors who knowlingly reach outside the parameters of the standardized course or offer misinformation or poor guidance to the detriment of the students, and refuse to correct their behavior.
  • The Certified Ombudsman Trainer no longer meets the original requirements to be a trainer. (i.e. resigns as a command ombudsman, military spouse retires from service, trainer resigns from Fleet and Family Support Center)
     

OBT Training and Material Feedback

The best way to judge training material is to use it. As you teach OBT, if you identify anything that you think should be addressed immediately, or in a future revision, please use this form to submit your suggestions. The appropriate attention will be given to your comments. You may also want to share some lessons learned and/or best practices with your fellow COTs. Please follow this link to the Feedback FORUM to discuss your ideas and have them posted on the FFSP Staff Support Page.


Resources

Order Training Materials On-Line!

Did you know that you can order training DVDs, CD-ROMs and videos on-line? The following link will take you to the website http://dodimagery.afis.osd.mil which lists the available documents.

To order copies of the Ombudsman DVD – “Navy Ombudsmen: Volunteers Who Make a Difference” click on AV for mode, and enter the title of the DVD, key words such as Ombudsmen, or the document code (pin) 806770.

For additional ordering instructions, please click here. It is not necessary to have a “.mil” address to access, however an official government or military address is required for mailing. If you have questions or need further assistance, call (570) 895-7827 (DSN 795-7827).

Download

The Command Ombudsman’s Role in Supporting Families of Individual Augmentees (pdf)