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The Minnesota Department of Human Services invites APS workers, supervisors and managers to attend a 2-session learning opportunity, "Orientation to Antiracism for Adult Protection" and "Antibias Training for Adult Protection," hosted by the DHS Office for Equity and Inclusion. Both courses will be held in September and are live, virtual trainings that will not be recorded.
This opportunity meets education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e and supports core guiding principles in the APS Operational Plan to continuously improve the adult protection system and services by removing barriers, eliminating disparities, and focusing on outcomes of safety and dignity for adults vulnerable to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. APS professionals are encouraged to attend. Find dates and registration links for both courses below.
Orientation to Antiracism for Adult Protection Workers
The Orientation to Antiracism for Adult Protection Workers covers the historical origins of race, racism and racial disparities in the U.S.; explores how racism operates on different levels; and empowers attendees to work toward antiracism. These conversations may seem difficult to have, but the Orientation to Antiracism empowers employees to lean into them in a safe and productive space.
Orientation to Antiracism for Adult Protection Workers will be offered on the following days:
Monday, Sept. 11, from 1-4 p.m. Register here.
Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. Register here.
Thursday, Sept. 14, from 1-4 p.m. Register here.
Antibias Training for Adult Protection Workers
Antibias Training for Adult Protection Workers identifies some of the most common biases in the field. Attendees will learn about and address implicit bias, engage in Culturally Responsive Practices and gain a better understanding of gender identity and proper pronoun usage. Rejecting ageism and how to identify and eliminate microaggressions will also be covered.
Antibias Training for Adult Protection Workers will be offered on the following days:
Monday, Sept. 18, from 1-4 p.m. Register here.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. Register here.
Thursday, Sept. 21, from 1-4 p.m. Register here.
Need Accommodations?
If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate, please email Victor.Gonzalez@state.mn.us.
Do you have a story to share of how your APS program or an individual worker improved the safety and dignity of 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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Who determines VA status?
Determining if the person referred to Adult Protective Services (APS) meets program eligibility is essential in our work, but who determines vulnerability status? Do medical professionals, law enforcement, or concerned community members determine VA status?
No.
Partners may have information on the adult's diagnosis, conditions, functional ability, or behaviors that support APS in determining if the adult meets criteria for vulnerability, but APS is responsible for determining VA status defined under the Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA). Deciding if the adult meets criteria is done at intake using the SDM Intake Tool ®. Confirm vulnerability status prior to initiating assessment activity that could disclose the identity of the person alleged responsible, or making a determination.
In order to complete the SDM Intake Tool ® and make a decision on if the adult referred meets vulnerability criteria for acceptance for protective services assessment, APS can review relevant history with the agency (including prior accepted or screened out reports of maltreatment), review records from other lead investigative agencies or licensed providers, or gather information from any person who may have knowledge of the adult's vulnerability based on diagnosis, conditions, behavior, services, or needs for assistance. Medical, mental health, substance use disorder, and other social service professionals can be very helpful in providing diagnosis and conditions that establish vulnerability, as can law enforcement, service providers, and other professionals and support persons with knowledge of the adult's history and needs.
When information to complete the SDM intake tool® to determine if the adult meets vulnerability criteria is inconsistent or unavailable, APS's intake decision should be consistent with the most protective response for the adult referred.
Question?
Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
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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 is from the Evident Change presentation on 6/6/23. The chart shows 50% of respondents reported "very easy" or "quite easy" to make decisions about whether an adult vulnerable to maltreatment as suspected of being maltreated should be screened in for APS response, whereas, 48% of respondents reported "a little difficult" or "very difficult." DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialists (APRS) provide consultation and policy guidance! Connect with an APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
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.
Upcoming APS Foundations Dates (registration is for both days):
Additional 2023 dates 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:
- Sept 18 and 21, 2023
- Dec 4 and 7, 2023
- Jan 22 and 25, 2024
- March 4 and 7, 2024
- April 29 and May 2, 2024
- June 3 and 6, 2024
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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