The state ombudsman shall contract with one or more nonprofit corporations to operate a community ombudsman program in one or more regional board districts in this state. A nonprofit corporation shall not be eligible for such contract unless that corporation has experience in complaint resolution for service recipients and secures as community ombudsmen only such persons as are certified as such by the state ombudsman. The state ombudsman may certify community ombudsmen and such certified ombudsmen shall have the powers and duties set forth in this article. The state ombudsman shall require such community ombudsmen to receive appropriate training as determined and approved by the state ombudsman prior to certification.