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DHS has partnered with Evident Change (formerly the National Council on Crime & Delinquency) to build on the recommendations from the Evaluation Report of Adult Protective Services Standardized Intake Decision Tool. Evident Change, the owners of the SDM model, is a non-profit organization that partners with systems, professionals and communities to get to the root of their biggest challenges, and gives them the tools and knowledge to achieve better outcomes for everyone involved.
The informational kickoff session for this project was held on December 14th from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. For those who were unable to attend, the session was recorded and will be posted at a future date.
We received the following success story from a Minnesota county APS program:
Our agency received a report regarding self-neglect where the adult who is vulnerable was unable to pay their rent and was facing eviction. The adult's family also recently experienced the loss of their mother who was the glue that held the family together. Adult protection worked with the adult and their brothers to identify his needs. A referral for a MnChoices assessment to increase the supports was completed, connections were made with multiple community organizations to assist with paying back rent, and APS worked with the landlord on an agreement to avoid eviction.
The adult’s brother, who also rented the apartment, had a run-in with the landlord who subsequently rescinded the agreement with adult protection and filed for an eviction and restraining order. Adult protection needed to rework their plan as the individual’s needs had changed. In the same time period, the client’s brother was experiencing mental health symptoms and went missing for multiple days (the adult was located and placed in the hospital for evaluation). APS was able to assist the client’s brother by referring him for Targeted Case Management to help support his mental health, and he moved into an IRTS facility upon discharge from the hospital. APS was able to locate alternative housing. Given that alternative housing was located, the landlord did not proceed forward with eviction. This is a great help for the adult because it will not show up on his record and impact him if future challenges arise.
APS had to shift engagement strategies based on the adult they were working with. Face-to-face contacts with APS were an important engagement to ensure his needs were being met. The adult is now safe and participating in the Highway to Housing program and engaged in services. The adult and his support system now have the tools and resources they need to be successful. Adult protection was able to successfully complete these interventions in a three week time frame. Adult protection plans to reach out to their multi-disciplinary team to discuss how the systems of supports can best meet the needs of persons facing eviction. This adult protection team did a great job in looking beyond someone’s means to address an issue and focused on the skill level required to address their needs. Without these interventions this adult would likely be homeless and his support system would be in crisis.
Thank you 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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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.
What Really Changed? A Reflection on the Legislative Changes
Now that we have been immersed in the legislative changes for a few months, it is a good time to reflect on what really changed. There are four major areas where changes occurred:
1. Intake/Screening: Adult Protection is able share information with others during intake in order to gather information not included in the MAARC report when additional information will help APS complete the SDM intake tool accurately and establish if the adult meets criteria as vulnerable and the incident(s) may be suspected maltreatment. MN Adult Protection Policy Manual, pg. 47. See our August 26, 2022 Newsletter for more details about expanded opportunities at intake. MN Statute 626.557 Subd.9c (b)
2. Screened-Out Reports: Adult Protection is able to offer assistance to the reporter, or the adult who is the subject of the report, when the adult is not accepted for Adult Protective Services because the report was screened-out. State policy guidance to screen-in for APS assessment when the adult meets criteria as vulnerable and the incident may be maltreatment, is unchanged. Screening-in adults who meet criteria for APS supports the safety and dignity of the adult through assessment, safety planning and interventions to stop, prevent and reduce risk of maltreatment and supports evaluation of APS outcomes. MN Adult Protection Policy Manual, pg. 48. MN Statute 626.557 Subd.9c (c)
3. Assessment with No Determination: Adult Protection is able to complete an assessment and offer service interventions without an investigation determination for allegations of Self-Neglect. Some allegations reported as Caregiver Neglect or Financial Exploitation may be assessed as Self-Neglect. Prioritization guidelines specific to allegation type should not be used at intake to screen-out adults who would otherwise be accepted for APS if another allegation for the same incident was screened. State policy guidance to make decisions during intake and assessment that are most protective of the adult who is vulnerable and suspected of being maltreated remains unchanged. The assessment with no determination process is outlined in the MN Adult Protection Policy Manual, pg. 52-56.
4. Definitions: A separate definition was created to separate self-neglect from caregiver neglect under the definition of Neglect. The definition of Caregiver was modified by eliminating the presumption of responsibility based solely on the relationship to the adult who is vulnerable. The definition of Abuse was modified to establish one standard of abuse for all adults vulnerable regardless of diagnosis or participation in licensed services.
The Office of the Revisor of Statutes website has been updated with the new legislative language.
626.557
626.5571
626.5572
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 shows 2021 calendar year data for county APS allegations by gender.
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):
Jan 3 & 5, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
Feb 21 & 23, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
Mar 28 & 30, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
Jun 20 & 22, 2023 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
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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