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Minnesota Adult Protection Policy Manual has been updated. The revised version is available on PartnerLink - Manuals.
The updates provide clarification to existing state guidance for counties in administration of their essential human service duty for adult protective services consistent with the APS Operational Plan mission, vision, and policy established in the Vulnerable Adult Act.
An additional update to the manual will be released later this year following implementation of the updated SDM® intake tool.
Summary of Manual Updates
- 2-GL Terms: Updated language to clarify “Caregiver” definition. Added definitions “Determination”, “Facility”, and “Intentional”.
- 7-PA Types of Maltreatment: Updated language to clarify “Sexual Abuse” and “Neglect by a Caregiver” definitions.
- 18-TF Initiating APS and Assessment: Modified Response Priority to align with updated SDM® intake assessment tool.
- 21- CD Intake- Screening: Modified section to align with updated SDM® intake assessment tool. Added Jurisdiction Considerations. Clarified guidance on multiple referrals. Clarified guidance on adults who are incarcerated when suspected maltreatment occurred.
- 22-CD Assessment Response: Clarified assessment response for assessment with determination of responsibility and assessment with no determination of responsibility.
- 26-CD Service Planning, Intervention, and Case Closure: Clarified conditions for closing APS assessment when the adult is conditionally safe or unsafe.
- Appendices reorganized: Appendix A: Due Process Map, Appendix B: Official Request for Consumer Records, Appendix C: APRS, Appendix D: Assessment Response Guidance (formerly Assessment Response Decision Tree)
If you have any questions, please contact the DHS Adult Protection Unit at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
A new APS Public Awareness Toolkit is now available online for adult protection programs and other stakeholders!
The APS Public Awareness Toolkit provides downloadable content for multiple platforms to promote safety and well-being for adults who may be vulnerable or maltreated.
The toolkit includes: flyers to print or email, poster, videos to post to social media channels, social media posts, and website content.
Public Service Announcements that can be embedded in websites or shared and APS brochures in multiple languages are also available at Adult Protection: policies and procedures - Public Awareness.
All of these materials are free and available to use.
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The Department of Human Services, in coordination with Age Friendly Minnesota, is offering almost four million ($4,000,000) in grant funds for programs interested in beginning or expanding Supported Decision-Making services within Minnesota. The goal of the project is to increase self-determination, identify best practices and develop service models and supports that facilitate a culture shift toward embracing less restrictive and more culturally appropriate person centered alternatives to guardianship or conservatorship.
- This legislative funding is available for approximately 13 months, between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
- The STATE will award these competitive grants to qualified Responders who intend to develop and/or provide supported decision making programs and direct services to eligible Minnesotans, promote and advance education and information about supportive decision making in racially and geographically diverse populations, and use data driven methods to determine if expansion of accessible supported decision making services can help expand alternatives to more restrictive forms of decision making such as plenary guardianships and/or conservatorships. Public and private nonprofit organizations, counties and Tribal Nations are all encouraged to apply. More detail can be found in legislative session 2023, Chapter 61, Section 61.
- Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 Central Time on April 30, 2024. Proposals should be sent to Kirsten.L.Olson@state.mn.us with the subject header Proposal: Supported Decision-Making Grant.
View the Supported Decision Making RFP.
Additional Information at Permalink: http://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/grants-rfps/open-rfps/index.jsp?id=1053-615722
Who is the lead investigative agency (LIA) when the person alleged responsible holds a professional license, but they are not providing services licensed by MDH or DHS?
Though the person alleged responsible may hold a professional license, they are not under the jurisdiction of MDH or DHS unless they are working for a licensed facility or service provider required to be licensed by MDH or DHS. Some examples of facilities and services that are not licensed by MDH or DHS but may employ staff who hold professional licenses are pharmacies, medical clinics, mental health clinics, dental clinics, halfway houses, sober houses, etc. This means that MDH and DHS licensing do not have jurisdiction over the provision of services or the professionals working in these settings. Adult Protective Services is the LIA when MAARC receives reports alleging abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
What is APS’s role? APS is responsible to screen and respond to reports alleging abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of an adult vulnerable to maltreatment. APS has a responsibility to offer protective services to the adult who is vulnerable. APS uses the application of state policy, professional judgement, and the SDM® intake assessment tool to determine if the adult is believed to be vulnerable at the time of the alleged maltreatment and if maltreatment is suspected to have occurred. If the adult meets criteria as an adult vulnerable to maltreatment; assessment, service planning and intervention to stop, reduce risk, and prevent maltreatment is completed.
Resources on how to support adults with their health care related complaint can be found here.
APS, as LIA, is required to notify the appropriate licensing board, per MN Statute 626.557 subd. 9c (m), when the person determined responsible for maltreatment holds a professional license.
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 most recent National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System annual report (2021), which collects APS information from all US states and territories. Investigation initiation is the length of time from receipt of the report until the start of the assessment/investigation. About two-thirds (66.1%) of states and territories require initiation within one day. Minnesota requires initiation of appropriate cases within 7 days.
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.
MN Adult Protection eLearning Courses
MN Adult Protection eLearning courses provide free self-paced foundational training for county and tribal APS workers across Minnesota. APS professionals can take these online courses in any order and review courses at any time. These courses align with national APS core competencies and MN state APS policy. Completion of the 12 courses are prerequisite for the live, online MN APS Foundations course.
Links to the free eLearning courses are available on the “Adult Protection: policies and procedure” website. There are 12 new eLearning courses:
- What is Adult Protection in Minnesota?
- Adult Protective Services Populations Served & Eligibility
- MAARC Functions and Duties
- Lead Investigative Agencies (LIA) and Jurisdiction for Maltreatment Response
- EPS Intake
- APS Intake
- Assessment Response
- APS Assessment
- APS Coordination and Data Sharing
- Completing Protective Services and Case Closure
- Engagement Strategies
- Completing Final Disposition and Appeals
MN Adult Protection eLearning courses were developed to complement existing National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC) training opportunities and support APS worker professional development.
Please contact us at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
MN APS Foundations
MN APS Foundations is a live, online course offered by the MN DHS Adult Protection Unit. MN APS Foundations applies case examples and practical scenarios to help clarify statutory definitions and policy principles of the MN adult protection system.
Completion of the 12 MN Adult Protection eLearning courses are a prerequisite for attending MN APS Foundations.
2024 MN APS Foundations dates and times TBD; additional information will be communicated via future APS Newsletters.
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:
- 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 self-paced eLearning courses 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 NATC eLearning courses, 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 eLearning courses, 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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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).
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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