The 2022 legislative changes include clarified language in the Vulnerable Adult Act regarding APS's ability to coordinate and data share with the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) to further an investigation, prevent further maltreatment, or safeguard an adult who is vulnerable. Additionally, the new legislation gives APS authority to refer reporters, or adults who are subject of the maltreatment report, to other resources and services - including OOLTC - when a MAARC report is screened out. Ombudsman are also a common addition to an APS Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for supporting case consultation and collaboration in response to MAARC reports and for awareness, prevention, and response to maltreatment.
What is the OOLTC and What Do They Do?
Understanding the role of Ombudsman is a benefit to APS workers, reporters, and adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment. The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) is an independent state agency that serves people needing or receiving long-term care through complaint investigation, advocacy, and education. The OOLTC promotes person-directed living that respects people’s values and preferences, and works to preserve individual rights by engaging with individuals, their families, health care and service providers, and public agencies to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing and rights of long-term care consumers. Minnesota’s OOLTC serves all of Minnesota, with staff based in the Twin Cities and regional offices statewide.
New Resource: Planning Ahead Booklet
A fantastic new resource for APS is the Planning Ahead Booklet. The booklet provides steps to consider when discussing or planning for future needs. Life is unpredictable, and having a plan in place helps clarify what is important to an individual, where and how they wish to live, and who will help provide care. Planning ahead does not need to wait until something happens, and as we age and personal situations change, the plan should change with the person. While it is true that everyone's needs are different, it is a good idea to look forward and plan for the future. Perhaps this booklet is just the catalyst needed to start a conversation or bring forward tangible steps to help those we serve in APS across Minnesota.
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Does the SDM Intake Tool match the Agency Report Action?
Make sure to check that the SDM Intake Tool and Agency Report Action match.
If the SDM Intake Tool indicates that the report meets the criteria for APS assessment and is indicated in the Screening Decision as “screened-in” then the Agency Report Action should indicate “Yes” for Accepted for Adult Maltreatment Investigation. When these do not match it creates errors toward the end of the case including, inability to complete determinations and inability to enter interventions.
Check with your SSIS Mentor if there is a case that does not match.
Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609 if you have any questions.
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Minnesota's DHS Adult Protection Unit and the Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) have identified an Adult Protection Track for the 2023 MSSA Conference happening March 15-17, 2023 in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Department of Human Services is a Partner Sponsor for the 2023 MSSA Conference.
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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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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 image below shows that 75% of interventions for elder mistreatment address multiple forms of mistreatment rather than one type. Data source: National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Research Brief: Intervention in Elder Mistreatment (2023)
Data source: NCEA Research Brief: Intervention in Elder Mistreatment (2023)
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialist (APRS)
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 an APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard
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).
MN APS Foundations
MN APS Foundations is an online course offered by the MN DHS Adult Protection Unit and provides basic introduction to the MN adult protection system for new APS professionals, or APS professionals seeking a refresher. The course focuses on fundamental elements such as APS statutes, definitions, MAARC, MN APS Operational Plan, lead investigative agencies (LIAs), and APS case overview from intake to case closure. 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):
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
Session dates for next fiscal year TBD
MN 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:
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.
Session dates for next fiscal year TBD
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 APS professionals nationwide. NATC course topics include: APS Overview; Ethics, Values, and Cultural Responsiveness; Voluntary Case Planning; Trauma-Informed Practices; Case Documentation; and many more. To access, create a free account and click "Find Courses" to view available courses. Check out the NATC LMS User Guide if you need help creating an account or navigating the website.
The NATC is operated by NAPSA and is supported by the ACL. NATC training offerings are supplemental to MN APS Foundations training for APS professionals, and are one method to meet the MN APS statutory requirement of 8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties.
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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.
The DHS Adult Protection Newsletter shares knowledge specific to adult protection work in MN, answers common questions regarding adult protection work in MN, and provides 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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