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Three new Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are now available for APS public engagement and community outreach efforts.
The video links below can be used by counties for education and outreach for the public on who is a vulnerable adult, what may be maltreatment, and how to refer adults who may be in need of APS by reporting to MAARC.
Thank you for all you do to help Minnesota's adults vulnerable to maltreatment!
The videos were generously provided to Minnesota by NAPSA and customized by DHS for accessibility and consistency with Minnesota policy. We are grateful to NAPSA and to Carmen Castaneda with Hennepin County for the support and consultation she provided NAPSA on the content development. Thanks to all involved with making these resources available!
Polk County received a MAARC report from an adult vulnerable to maltreatment who self-reported being harassed and physically assaulted by a person in their community.
Polk County APS called back the reporter (who in this case is also the adult vulnerable to maltreatment) in order to verify and clarify details in the report. In speaking with the adult, the APS professional believed the adult was experiencing psychosis. With this new information, the APS professional contacted a local provider and inquired about potential collaboration with their crisis team for this case. in collaboration with APS and an ARMHS professional could visit the adult.
The Polk County APS professional worked with the provider's crisis team who connected APS with an ARMHS professional from the local provider and together they met with the client. The APS and ARMHS professionals worked together asking the client questions at their home, discussing the client's history, and asking what/how the client was hoping we could assist them. After the discussion with the client, the client agreed to services from the local provider. The Polk County APS professional then completed documentation of the case, followed up with the local provider to confirm service referral was complete and accurate, and closed the case.
Thank you, Polk County APS, for this example of person-centered service - putting the needs of adults vulnerable to maltreatment at the center of your practice!
Do you have a story to share of how your APS program or an individual worker improved the safety and dignity or an adult who is vulnerable to maltreatment, or whose engagement with the adult or their supports in assessment, planning, and service interventions stopped, reduced risk, or prevented maltreatment or reoccurrence?
We would love to share your examples of how APS makes a difference. Send your idea to dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us
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APS Foundations course offerings to resume in October, 2022.
APS Foundations has been on hold while we developed a content update for the course, adding changes to the Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA) from the 2022 legislative session, enhancing content on equity and cultural humility in APS, and highlighting Minnesota's new APS Operational Plan.
APS Foundations is offered online over two days, typically Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:30am - 12:30pm 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 offerings, so APS professionals 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):
Oct 18 & 20, 2022 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
Dec 13 & 15, 2022 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Jan 3 & 5, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Feb 21 & 23, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Mar 28 & 30, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Jun 20 & 22, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Please contact us at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
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DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialist (APRS) staff support APS workers and supervisors with policy clarification and case consultation regarding intake, assessment, service intervention, and assessment outcomes for the safety and dignity of adults vulnerable to maltreatment reported as having experienced maltreatment. Connect with your APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
Now that we can look at financial exploitation as self-neglect, can we use Assessment No Determination for reports alleging scams?
No, reports alleging scams should be screened as financial exploitation because the allegation “may be criminal” as the scammer is obtaining money through undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud AND it violates the adult’s trust, values, or culture (Adult Protection Manual Pg. 8, 25, 52, 55-56). Civil determinations can be made regardless of the identity of the person alleged responsible as a minor, another adult who is vulnerable, or if the person alleged responsible is unable to be identified following diligent assessment (Adult Protection Manual, Pg. 75).
- If information gathered during intake is not sufficient to determine the status of the adult who is vulnerable and the reported information meets the criteria for financial exploitation, the report should be screened-in to determine if the adult is vulnerable to maltreatment (Adult Protection Manual, Pg. 63, 76).
- If information gathered during intake is sufficient to determine that the adult is NOT vulnerable to maltreatment AND the report does not meet criteria for APS, your agency may reach out to the reporter or the person subject of the report to offer support services or consultation from APS experts (Adult Protection Manual, Pg. 48).
Please connect with APRS staff at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609 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 to explain what happens after reports of suspected maltreatment are made to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC).
The image below states that adults 50 and older who identify as LGBTQ will double in population size within the next decade. As demographics change in Minnesota, APS must change and grow so that all adults who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, or exploitation are supported to live in safety and dignity, consistent with their own culture, values, and goals, and so people concerned about them have resources for support.
Choi, S.K. & Meyer, I.H. (2016). LGBT Aging: A Review of Research Findings, Needs, and Policy Implications. The Williams Institute. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wpcontent/uploads/LGBT-Aging-Aug-2016.pdf
APS Foundations
APS Foundations provides a basic introduction to the MN adult protection system 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), MN APS Operational Plan, lead investigative agencies (LIAs), and the Adult Protection Service Cycle and Time Frames, from intake to case closure.
APS Foundations is offered online over two days, typically Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:30am - 12:30pm 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 offerings, so APS professionals 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):
Oct 18 & 20, 2022 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
Dec 13 & 15, 2022 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Jan 3 & 5, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Feb 21 & 23, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Mar 28 & 30, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
Jun 20 & 22, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Registration coming soon
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.
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:
- Oct 31 and Nov 3, 2022 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Jan 9 and 12, 2023 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Feb 27 and Mar 2, 2023 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Apr 10 and 13, 2023 (Mon and Thurs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Jun 26 and 29, 2023 (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.
National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC)
The National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC) provides free training for all APS professionals nationwide. Simply create a free account and click "Find Courses" to access any of the training courses. Check out the NATC LMS User Guide if you need help creating an account or navigating the website.
NATC's library of free e-learnings for APS professionals includes a duration suggestion for each course (typically between 30-60 minutes), a knowledge check at the end of each course, and links to additional resources following each course. Course topics include: APS Overview; Ethics, Values, and Cultural Responsiveness; Voluntary Case Planning; Trauma-Informed Practices; Case Documentation; and many, many more!
The NATC is operated by the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) and is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). NATC training offerings are supplemental to the DHS APS Foundations training for new workers, and are one method to meet the Minnesota APS requirement of 8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties as required under the Vulnerable Adult Act.
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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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