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Minnesota’s APS Operational Plan includes mission, vision, operating principles, and goals for APS to help guide programs, evaluation, and resources.
The plan builds on the Vulnerable Adult Act Redesign and consultant recommendations (PDF) to develop guiding principles for service response for adults referred to counties by the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC). The plan was developed through engagement with many stakeholders, including an eight-member Visioning Team composed of APS professionals appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators (MACSSA), representatives from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and critical evaluation from tribal health and human services leadership from many of Minnesota’s tribal nations. This guiding document was refined and enhanced through additional feedback from focus groups with six special interest groups, including Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging Diverse Elders Coalition, Minnesota Council on Disability, Minnesota Elder Justice Center, Minnesota Board on Aging, the DHS Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council, and comments from over 200 community and institutional stakeholders.
The mission, core principles, and goals guiding our work serve as a model for the partnership between County APS programs and DHS. The adult protection system will work best when counties (in their role of program administration) and DHS (in its role for policy, training, and performance evaluation) partner to meet goals for adults referred to APS.
Goal 1. Adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment and referred to APS have equitable access to protective services.
Goal 2. Adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment and referred to APS experience person[1]centered, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed assessment, services, and supports to reduce risk and recover from maltreatment.
Goal 3. Tribal nations are supported in development of agreements with the state to assume administration of adult protection program duties.
Goal 4. APS workers across the state have equitable access to resources to meet client needs to reduce risk for adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment.
Goal 5. Tribal, state, and county partnerships in program management and evaluation of outcomes for adults who are vulnerable are enhanced.
We look forward to continued success in 2024 serving Minnesota's adults and improving the adult protection system by addressing the goals above. Thank you all for your commitment and skill in making APS a positive force in your community!
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. These courses were previously offered in September 2023, and additional dates in January 2024 have been added for those that may have missed the courses. Both courses 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. 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:
Wednesday, Jan 24, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 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:
Thursday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register here.
Need Accommodations?
If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate, please email Victor.Gonzalez@state.mn.us.
We're thrilled to announce the successful completion of a pilot project that marks the launch of the Law Enforcement Data Interchange (LEDI) system! This innovative initiative, approved by Governor Walz and the 2019 legislature, aims to provide law enforcement agencies with a streamlined option to receive required notification of Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) adult maltreatment reports that may be criminal.
Developed by the talented team at Minnesota IT (MNIT), the pilot project has paved the way for law enforcement agencies to seamlessly integrate MAARC reports directly into their incident reporting systems. This is made possible through an electronic data packet transmitted via the LEDI with the Department of Human Services (DHS).
We extend our gratitude to the proactive law enforcement agencies that participated in the pilot, including Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, Anoka, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Blaine, Anoka County Sheriff, Centennial Lakes, Spring Lake Park, Coon Rapids, Lino Lakes, St. Francis, Ramsey, Farmington, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, Rosemont, Hastings, Dakota County Sheriff, and West St. Paul. Moreover, we're delighted to announce that Minneapolis is scheduled to join the LEDI network in early January.
The LEDI system offers a modernized approach to receiving MAARC reports, replacing the traditional method of secure email for participating law enforcement agencies. MNIT remains committed to assisting interested law enforcement agencies in enhancing their data systems to seamlessly integrate MAARC reports through LEDI data packets.
To keep our law enforcement partners informed and engaged, we continue to provide updates through newsletters, webinars, coordination with membership associations, and individual agency outreach. The door is wide open for agencies to explore the benefits of LEDI, enabling them to make informed decisions based on their unique needs and resources.
We're excited about this milestone and look forward to further collaboration with law enforcement agencies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of receiving MAARC reports through the Law Enforcement Data Interchange (LEDI) system.
Information for law enforcement agencies is available at: Law Enforcement FAQ / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov).
DHS is partnering with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Technical Assistance and Resource Center (TARC) and the Minnesota Elder Justice Center (MEJC) to present a webinar on January 11 from 12-1pm on the first-ever national process evaluation of state’s adult protection systems. Karl Urban, APS-TARC Senior Research Manager, and Mary McGurran, DHS Adult Protection Manager, will highlight how Minnesota aligns with national policy, practice, and program administration. The goal of the webinar is to provide insight and stimulate discussion regarding APS program improvements at the state and local levels. Register at: Webinars Registration - Minnesota Elder Justice Center. Or, review the recording after the session at: Video Library - Minnesota Elder Justice Center .
Undue Influence
APS may consider undue influence in the course of their assessment through interviews with the adult vulnerable to maltreatment, person alleged responsible, family, friends, caregivers, service providers, financial institutions, and through professional consultation with psychologists, therapist, etc.
Undue influence impacts the adult’s ability to provide informed consent, and may be a factor in determination of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. APS may address concerns of undue influence as it relates to the adult who is vulnerable and their primary support person through service planning by education, service referrals, medical and mental health services, public assistance programs and exploring possible legal interventions.
If the primary support person is the source of undue influence work with the adult, other support persons and the primary support person through service planning to best support the adult vulnerable to maltreatment. APS works to address the root causes of maltreatment to stop, reduce risk, prevent reoccurrence and identify supports needed for the safety of the adult who is vulnerable.
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 shows that the NATC has 4,600 learners from all 50 states in its first 16 months of operation. Free national APS training courses are available online from the NATC including topics such as: Ethics, Values and Cultural Responsiveness; Communication and Interviewing; Case Documentation; Trauma-Informed Practices; and many more.
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.
2024 APS Foundations dates and times 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:
- 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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