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Governor Tim Walz signed the DHS Policy bill on June 2, 2022, which includes updates to the Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA). Chapter 98 - MN Laws Article 8, Sections 37-49 is the first phase of a stakeholder-led, multi-year project to modernize the vulnerable adult protection statute, known as the Vulnerable Adult Act Redesign.
The statute updates and impacts for APS are significant, perhaps the largest change in MN APS since the implementation of the centralized reporting system. Therefore, the DHS Adult Protection Unit will provide ongoing training and support to help navigate these changes. We plan to offer a webinar for APS professionals on the changes, additional policy support in regional meetings, ongoing updates via the APS Newsletter, modify the SSIS system as necessary to fully enact these legislative changes, and provide additional training and communications as needed while we all work to navigate these system changes. Implementation will take time and teamwork to help line up APS practice with the APS Vision, Mission, and Principles outlined earlier this year.
2022 Session Highlights
The legislature affirmed through multiple policy changes that Adult Protective Services (APS) is a social service program responsible for outcomes of safety and dignity for adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment:
- Adult Protection’s services become more person-centered and culturally responsive through new authority for assessment and service engagement.
- APS is not required to conduct an investigation for final determination against the adult who is vulnerable to maltreatment, or their family member or unpaid caregiver, for allegations of neglect or financial exploitation when determination for responsibility for maltreatment may not safeguard the adult or prevent further maltreatment.
- Adult Protective Services is supported in improving the community’s understanding of the agency’s program and services by making prioritization guidelines public.
More detailed information outlining the legislative changes to statute and the impacts for APS was sent June 10, 2022 as a stand-alone GovDelivery message titled "2022 Legislative Update."
A tremendous thank you to all who helped advocate for updates to the VAA!
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.
The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Minnesota Events:
June 15, 2022 Minnesota World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference
16th annual Minnesota World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Elder Justice Center at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN. The conference will explore themes of innovation in the field of elder justice and features keynote speaker Candace Heisler. Please visit the MEJC website for more information.
June 28, 2022 Elder Abuse Awareness Day Summit
Cass and Clay County Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Coalition presents the 10th Annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day Summit on June 28, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Moorhead, MN. The event features speaker Paul Greenwood. Please visit the Eventbrite webpage for more information, or contact Nichi Erickson (Nichole.Erickson@co.clay.mn.us) with questions.
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Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa received grant funds through the CRRSA. The Band is using the funds to conduct community outreach and education to increase public awareness of how to stop and prevent maltreatment of vulnerable adults in the context of COVID-19 and to increase awareness of APS supports and services. The pictures below highlight two billboards that are part of their public awareness campaign.
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We are excited to welcome Lindsay Brekke as the new Adult Protection Resource Specialist with the DHS Adult Protection Unit!
Lindsay is a licensed social worker with a MSW from UW Madison. She has a great deal of experience working with adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment, including as an adult foster care licenser in Wabasha County and Washington County. Lindsay previously was an Adult Services Supervisor in Mower County, and most recently was an adult protection worker in Mower County. Lindsay also brings her experience as an intern with the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare and teaching experience as an academic staff member with UW-Madison and College of St. Scholastica.
Outside of work Lindsay loves being on the lake paddle boarding, camping, and spending time with her family. Lindsay has a 14 year old son, Gavin, who is active in hockey year-round and she is raising her 17 year old niece, Isabel, who is looking forward to graduating in 2023.
Lindsay looks forward to connecting with the counties to see how she can best support everyone in her new role!
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***APS Foundations is under construction***
APS Foundations courses are on hold while we work on a content update this summer. New content will include changes to the Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA) from the 2022 legislative session, enhanced content on equity and cultural humility in APS, and Minnesota's new APS Vision, Mission, Values.
Watch the APS Newsletter for updates on sign-up through TrainLink this summer; anticipate mid-September, 2022 for next sessions.
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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.
TARC Blog Post: National Elder Fraud Hotline Basics
Lori McGee from the US Department of Justice's National Elder Fraud Hotline (NEFH) recently penned a blog post for APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (TARC) about National Elder Fraud Hotline Basics. The article provides information about the NEFH, tips for identifying a scam, and outlines how the hotline can be useful to APS.
National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
NEFH offers tools, support, and resources to victims of fraud aimed at older adults. For additional information about the NEFH, check out the NEFH website.
Be sure to utilize resources such as the Minnesota Adult Protection Policy and Procedure Manual, 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 compares data between Minnesota APS and national data from the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) for 2019 and 2020. There are two categories identified: APS Reports Accepted for Investigation/Services (screened in) and Percent of Investigated Allegations Substantiated.
Data Source: Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC)
APS Foundations
APS Foundations provides a basic introduction to the adult protection system in Minnesota for new APS workers and supervisors, or APS workers and supervisors seeking a refresher. The course focuses on fundamental elements such as APS statutes, definitions, MN Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC), lead investigative agencies (LIAs), and the Adult Protection Service Cycle and Time Frames, from intake to case closure.
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 the course addresses core competency training recommendations in the ACL Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems.
APS Foundations is offered online over two days in the same week, typically Tuesday and Thursday, from 9:00am - 2:30pm each day. Attendees will need to complete both days to receive a certificate of completion.
APS Foundations training dates are intended to precede SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training dates as much as possible so that APS workers have the option to attend policy-focused training (APS Foundations) and systems-focused training (SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training) sequentially.
Upcoming APS Foundations Dates (registration is for both days):
***APS Foundations is under construction***
APS Foundations courses are on hold while we work on a content update this summer. New content will include changes to the Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA) from the 2022 legislative session, enhanced content on equity and cultural humility in APS, and Minnesota's new APS Vision, Mission, Values. Watch the APS Newsletter for updates on sign-up through TrainLink this summer; anticipate mid-September, 2022 for next sessions.
Anticipate mid-September, 2022 for next sessions
Please contact us at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
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.
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. New workers are encouraged to take the online SSIS Essentials eLearning courses prior to SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training. More information can be found on the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website.
Upcoming SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training:
- Training dates for fiscal year 2022/23 TBD
Please visit the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website for registration instructions, additional resources, and more detailed information about the course.
National Adult Protection Training Center (NATC)
COMING SOON! The NATC is scheduled to launch in September, 2022. The NATC will establish a library of free asynchronous e-learnings for APS professionals.
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 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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