In 1978, under the federal Older Americans Act, every state was required to have a Long Term Care Ombudsman Program that identifies, investigates and resolves complaints and advocates for seniors.  The Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman is located in the State of Alaska, Department of Revenue, under the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. The office is staffed by the Long Term Care Ombudsman, an Assistant Long Term Care Ombudsman/Volunteer Coordinator and a second Assistant Long Term Care Ombudsman. The majority of funding for the office comes from grants through the federal Administration on Aging. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is responsible for the selection of the person who fills the classified position of the Long Term Care Ombudsman.  The Long Term Care Ombudsman is not a politically appointed position.