Angelo Flowers will be the new Adult Protection Quality Assurance Program Consultant.
Angelo joined the DHS Adult Protection Unit in 2019 as the Adult Protection Resource Specialist. In this role, he provided policy guidance, case consultation and technical assistance to county adult protection workers and supervisors. In his new role, which is also a new position for DHS, Angelo will lead projects to manage grants and improve statewide quality, consistency and equity in person-centered services outcomes for vulnerable adults served in the state supervised, county administered adult protection system.
Angelo brings experience managing quality assurance systems and compliance with strict standards outlined by state and federal policies. He has developed statewide trainings to improve case assessment, case management, and coordination of services to vulnerable adults.
Angelo is excited to launch new initiatives to improve quality and outcomes for vulnerable adults during this exciting period of new first ever dedicated federal funding for adult protective services. He is looking forward to using data to promote culturally competent service delivery and consistency in service outcomes for vulnerable adults.
Outside of work, Angelo enjoys reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and binge watching game shows.
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"To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect."
-Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband
Unfortunately, technology systems can crash at any time and it is essential to be ready for the unexpected. In the event of IT failures, there is a Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP) for MAARC, as DHS has a high priority to ensure continuous, 24/7 MAARC operations so reports of suspected maltreatment can be accepted and referred for timely response to the vulnerable adult.
MAARC continuous operations planning supports statutory compliance as the common entry point and for Lead Investigative Agencies (LIAs) and counties in their duty for APS and EPS service response to safeguard vulnerable adults. When an IT failure occurs, MAARC continuous operation plans are implemented based on the length of the outage and are initiated at 24 hours for EPS and 48 hours for LIA referrals.
The new SSIS Adult Maltreatment Module (state.mn.us), page 84, has details on plans for SSIS outage at counties.
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialists (APRS) support adult protective services (APS) workers and supervisors with policy clarification and case consultation regarding intake, assessment, service intervention, and investigative outcomes for the safety and dignity of vulnerable adults reported as having experienced maltreatment. Connect with your APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
APRS Quick Tip - EPS Notifications
As of January 1, 2022 all emergency protective services (EPS) notifications will be made electronically through SSIS. The Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) will no longer make EPS notifications by phone to County APS, or the agency's designee, after the agency's normal business hours, on weekends, and state designated holidays.
Agencies will continue to receive immediate electronic EPS notification from MAARC through SSIS to support the county's duty for immediate response to EPS notifications.
This action does not change the agency's current responsibilities.
Functionality added to SSIS in 21.4 release provides an option for a county administered email or text notification when an adult maltreatment report received in the agency's SSIS unassigned intake log includes notification from MAARC of need for assessment of EPS. SSIS Update - Issue 566 (Nov 30, 2021) includes an article on APS afterhours Emergency Protective Services email notifications.
Thank you to all the counties and APS professionals for your input and feedback that helped identify, shape, and advocate for this SSIS enhancement!
And as always, you can call your APRS to consult if you have any questions!
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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 Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard provides annual state and county data on the number of reports, allegations, and investigation determinations. The dashboard explains what happens after reports of suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult are made to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC).
The image below shows 2021 total MAARC reports for all Lead Investigative Agencies combined (55,172), county as the Lead Investigative Agency (30,795), and Emergency Adult Protective Services (7,641).
Data Source: Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC)
APS Foundations
APS Foundations provides a basic introduction to the adult protection system in Minnesota. APS Foundations focuses on fundamental elements of Minnesota's adult protection system such as statutes and definitions, Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC), Lead Investigative Agencies (LIAs) and jurisdiction, the Adult Protection service cycle and time frames from intake to case closure, and much more.
APS Foundations is intended for new adult protection workers and supervisors, or adult protection workers and supervisors seeking a 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 is offered online and consists of four 2 hour sessions over four consecutive weeks (8 hours total). Attendees will need to complete all four sessions to receive a certificate of completion. APS Foundations dates are set up to precede SSIS Worker Training dates as much as possible. Therefore, APS workers have the option to attend policy (Foundations) and systems (SSIS) trainings sequentially.
Upcoming APS Foundations Cohorts (registration is for all four dates of a cohort):
- Jan 18 and 25, Feb 1 and 8, 2022 (Tues) 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Click Here to Register
- Mar 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2022 (Thurs) 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Click Here to Register
- May 12, 19, 26, and Jun 2, 2022 (Thurs) 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Click Here to Register
Please contact us at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training
The SSIS Adult Protection Worker course is a technical training designed to provide an overview of data entry as related to Adult Protective Services (APS) into SSIS. The training is offered in two half-day virtual classes and is designed for new adult protection workers, SSIS Mentors, and those seeking a refresher. More information can be found on the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website.
Upcoming SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training:
- Jan 10 and 13, 2022 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Feb 14 and 17, 2022 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Apr 11 and 14, 2022 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Jun 6 and 9, 2022 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Please visit the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website for registration instructions, additional resources, and more detailed information about the course.
SSIS Essentials eLearning
SSIS Essentials is a collection of six eLearning courses designed to provide caseworkers with an introduction to basic navigation and functionality of core SSIS functions. SSIS Essentials eLearning is offered through TrainLink. New workers are encouraged (not required) to take the online SSIS Essentials eLearning courses prior to taking SSIS Adult Protection Worker training.
Please visit the SSIS Essentials eLearning website for registration and TrainLink instructions, technical requirements, and more detailed information about each of the six SSIS Essentials courses.
APS Technical Assistance and Resource Center (TARC)
APS TARC provides a variety of no-cost educational opportunities for APS professionals including webinars, briefs, and toolkits that align with APS Core Competencies in national standards. APS TARC offerings address a wide variety of topics including APS supervision, frauds and scams, interviews with experts, APS investigation, impacts of COVID-19 on APS, and much much more. Keep up to date with APS TARC offerings by joining their mailing list.
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Additional Practice Resources
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.
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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