COVID-19 and Impacts on Vulnerable Adult Protective Services

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Adult Protection - Aging and Adult Services

dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us - (651) 431-2609

March 16, 2020

COVID-19 and Impacts on Vulnerable Adult Protective Services

Adult protection is a county administered essential human service program.

During a public health emergency, decisions related to county lead investigative agency (LIA) investigation and offering adult protective services in response to reports of suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult remain within county discretion. If public health recommendations restrict in-person contact, the county may decide to use methods for non-in-person communication with the vulnerable adult, while continuing to use engagement, partnerships and collaborations for disposition, assessment, fact finding, determination and protection of the vulnerable adult.

DHS has continuous operations plans to maintain MAARC functions during a public health emergency.

DHS Adult Protection Unit staff have remote work capabilities in the event state offices are closed.

DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialists (APRS) are available for case consultation dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or 651-431-2609.

For the latest information on public health recommendations, go to https://www.health.state.mn.us/#coronavirus

Kindness, patience, ethical practices and following public health advice will get us through this. Take care!


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