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Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), the IT organization for the State of Minnesota and Department of Human Services, has initiated work with APS law enforcement partners to implement 2019 legislation to improve data sharing between the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) and law enforcement agencies. MNIT will be meeting with representatives from law enforcement related to technology improvements to immediate required MAARC notifications when the allegations may also be criminal. The goal of this project is to reduce duplicative data entry for law enforcement when responding to suspected vulnerable adult maltreatment. Law enforcement representatives have been invited by MNIT to stakeholder meetings taking place between April and June.
This project is expected to be completed in 2022.
Law enforcement questions for this project can be directed to maarc.cccpva.stakeholder.engagement.dhs@state.mn.us.
New Data Now Available! Age, race, and gender data are now available on the Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard. Access these new data reports by selecting the icons for Steps 1 and 2.
Data help policy makers and the public understand the nature and scope of an issue. In the case of adult protection, data provide a basis to understand if vulnerable adults are treated fairly and justly in our state. Data can impact program evaluation, benchmarks for quality and performance outcomes, budget planning and resource allocation, and inform evidenced based prevention and remediation/service response for vulnerable adults who have been maltreated.
“Without data, you're just another person with an opinion."
― W. Edwards Deming
The chart below, "CY 2020 Statewide Screen Out Percent by Race," identifies total APS screen outs from calendar year 2020 by race.
 Data Source: DHS Data Warehouse
APS Foundations
APS Foundations is intended for new adult protection workers and supervisors, or adult protection workers and supervisors seeking a foundations refresher. APS Foundations supports equity and consistency in service response and outcomes that safeguard and promote dignity for vulnerable adults, regardless of their location in Minnesota, and addresses core competency training recommendations in the ACL Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems.
APS Foundations training is offered online and consists of 4 sessions, 2 hours each, provided weekly over four consecutive weeks at the same time (8 hours total). Attendees will need to complete all four sessions to receive a certificate of completion.
Upcoming Sessions
- 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27 - Thursdays, 1-3 pm | SESSION FULL Click Here to Join Waitlist
- 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29 - Thursdays, 1-3 pm | Click Here to Register - Registration is for all four dates. After registering, WebEx links for each of the four sessions will be provided by DHS Adult Protection Unit.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
Additional Training
Find information on adult protection policy, procedure, resources, and training information for mandated reporters and APS on the DHS Adult Protection: Policies and Procedures web page. Specific training resources for APS workers are included under the "Adult protection worker resources and training" drop down. These resources support APS workers meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e.
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialists (APRS), Kelli and Angelo, are available to help with case consultation, policy clarification, resources, and general assistance regarding adult protection in Minnesota. Connect with your APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
APRS Quick Tip: APS Intake
Every report of suspected maltreatment involves a person, many of whom are among Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents. APS’s first step in serving these people is the intake and screening process when a report of suspected vulnerable adult maltreatment is received from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC). Intake’s purpose is a timely APS initial disposition in order to initiate assessment activities, which avert further harm, prevent reoccurrence, and ensure the safety and dignity of the vulnerable adult.
Intake and screening is an APS role when a report of suspected maltreatment is referred to APS as the LIA. Reports of suspected vulnerable adult maltreatment are received by APS from MAARC electronically in SSIS 24/7. Intake assessment activity is initiated immediately on APS's awareness of electronic receipt of the report, and APS has up to 5 days to complete intake activity. Intake's objective is to make a screening decision for initial disposition of the report consistent with statutory authority for APS to accept the report for investigation, assessment, and services when the person who is the subject of the report may be a vulnerable adult and when the allegation may be maltreatment.
APS uses Structured Decision Making® and Standardized Tools, in coordination with established agency prioritization guidelines and professional judgement, in making intake decisions for initial disposition. The tools and guidelines are meant to help build equity and consistency in APS decisions across the state to support safety and dignity for vulnerable adults.
What is APS intake looking for? What is being reviewed? Confirmation of jurisdiction, verification of whether the person may be a vulnerable adult, and review of the allegation to identify whether it may be maltreatment.
Keep top of mind when making intake decisions that whether a report is screened in or not should be consistent with the most protective response for the person. Also, it is not the quality of the report or the reporter having first-hand knowledge that determines whether a report is screened in or out. The decision to screen in or out is the result of a diligent and complete intake and screening process by APS guided by the standardized intake tool. Services or referrals may be offered for the person who is the subject of the report even if the report is not accepted for APS.
All of these efforts further our collective goal of preventing further maltreatment and safeguarding the vulnerable adult.
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Our goal for the DHS Adult Protection Newsletter is to share knowledge specific to adult protection work in Minnesota, answer common questions regarding adult protection work in Minnesota, and provide awareness of DHS Adult Protection training opportunities. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609
For more information about DHS Adult Protection, please visit us online DHS AP: Program Overview
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