|
One of the recommendations from the 2021 Evaluation Report of Adult Protective Services Standardize Intake Decision Tool was to reinforce the intended use of the SDM® Intake Assessment tool as the primary arbiter of screening decisions by taking steps with local APS agencies to reduce use of discretionary override, including statewide re-training. In response to this recommendation, DHS is contracting with Evident Change, formally known as the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD), to update Minnesota's Structured Decision Making® Intake Assessment tool, as the present tool does not align with current policy and practice and is resulting in inconsistency and inequity to adults who are vulnerable and have been reported as being maltreated.
The work with Evident Change will include discovery work on current SDM® Intake Assessment use and practice to identify particular areas of improvement for tool accuracy, equity, consistency, and completion across local APS programs and statewide. Evident Change will update and support the implementation of a revised SDM® Intake Assessment, including clear policy and procedures for assessment completion. This will be done in collaboration with DHS and APS agencies to improve the utility of the SDM® Intake Assessment to better integrate into APS staff’s daily practice.
Evident Change will be developing and providing online trainings for staff and supervisors that will cover assessment concepts and appropriate completion of the intake assessment tool. They will also be holding online training for supervisors with material devoted to supporting supervisors, including instruction and discussion on supervision practices. In addition, e-learning modules will be created for the SDM® Safety Assessment and Strengths and Needs Assessment.
This work with Evident Change is anticipated to run for 18 months and will include input and participation from APS programs throughout the project. More information will be provided as we get started with this exciting project.
Civil and Criminal Coordination for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (CCCPVA) is an ongoing project where Minnesota Information Technology (MNIT), in partnership with Department of Human Services (DHS), is developing a solution to provide Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) referrals to law enforcement through a data interchange. This method will provide an alternative to the current PDF delivery through an encrypted email which often requires duplicate data entry for law enforcement.
MNIT is now moving toward testing the data interchange solution. The proof of concept is a test of the data interchange with one law enforcement agency. For the proof of concept scheduled for October, 2022, MNIT is partnering with Minneapolis Police Department to identify any technical fixes, information on how to get connected (i.e. service guide), and technical training needed to conduct a full pilot test with multiple law enforcement agencies in January, 2023.
Testing the data interchange, website, and service guide through a proof of concept and pilot test will allow MNIT to provide information necessary for law enforcement to utilize this new technology solution to process MAARC referrals.
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 interventions should I enter into SSIS and why?
Adult Protection professionals should enter all interventions that were recommended, referred, or implemented by APS to the adult who is vulnerable as part of their safety planning. All interventions recommended to the adult are based on the principle of the least restrictive intervention needed to meet assessed safety needs.
Engage the person and their supports in safety planning and service interventions to stop, prevent, and reduce risks of maltreatment based on the assessment. Use of a person-centered approach in working with an adult who is refusing service, or with the person alleged responsible, is critical in implementing interventions. A person-centered approach balances what is important to the adult with what is important for their safety.
Documentation of interventions quantifies the hard work you do for the adult who is vulnerable and their primary support person. Keep up the great work!
Please connect with APRS staff at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609 if you have any questions.
|
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 the translation languages used at MAARC in the past 12 months.
 93 of 7,989 MAARC callers used translation services during the past quarter (July 1 – Sept. 30). This is a 107% increase in callers using translation services compared to the prior 3 month period. This represents a 93% increase in callers using Spanish translation and 137% increase in callers using Somali translation from the prior quarter.
Data includes calls that resulted in reports referred to a lead investigative agency as well as calls that were non-report referrals.
There is a potential for increase in reporters and vulnerable adults who may need translation services at lead investigative agencies as activities continue to improve public awareness of vulnerable adult maltreatment and reporting in underrepresented communities.
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):
Dec 13 & 15, 2022 (Tu & Th), 8:30a - 12:30p each day | Click Here to Register
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.
|
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.
|
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
|
