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Training for the updated SDM ® Intake tool is available through e-learnings announced in August.
MN APS SDM® INTAKE ASSESSMENT TRAININGS
There are two eLearning training modules now available for the Minnesota APS SDM® Intake Assessment. One module is for APS workers and one module is for APS Supervisors.
Below are links to each of the training modules:
SDM ® e-learning modules can be accessed directly through the links and will be posted under “Help with adult protection training resources” at Adult protection: policies and procedures
SSIS Adult Protection Worker Resources links to the SSIS Adult Protection User Guide for SDM ® Intake tool navigation in the system.
October 9, 2024 was Ageism Awareness Day, which is an initiative launched by the American Society on Aging (ASA) in 2023.
Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) toward others or ourselves based on age. It negatively impacts health and well-being, financial security, and the economy. It exists in many forms, influencing everything from personal interactions to public policy, and impacts us at every age.
Ageism is one of the most common, yet least recognized and most accepted forms of prejudice. It contributes to intolerance within society and can potentially create an environment in which elder mistreatment is more likely to occur. Our words are powerful and impactful. Each of us, regardless of age, can promote positive and accurate perceptions of aging.
The following are a few articles and resources about ageism to help you work to dismantle the prejudice, myths and stereotypes about age.
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Stay up-to-date with APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (TARC) trainings and resources! APS professionals have an option to sign up for the APS TARC mailing list to receive information including reports, newsletters, blogs, webinar announcements, and other APS resources. Click the link to subscribe to the APS TARC mailing list.
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The Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard has been updated with 2020-23 data. The dashboard data includes: number of reports, agency receiving the referral that is responsible for response, types of allegations, demographics for the adult, and response when a county agency is responsible.
The National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) is the only comprehensive, national reporting system for state APS programs. The NAMRS 2022 Adult Maltreatment Report provides an overview of adult maltreatment as reported to APS programs across the country, using NAMRS data submitted for FFY 2022 (October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022).
NAMRS is a data reporting system established and operated by ACL for the purpose of better understanding the phenomena of adult maltreatment in the United States. Currently, the data collected is submitted by APS programs. NAMRS annually collects data on APS investigations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as information on the administration of APS programs. The data provides an understanding of key program policies, characteristics of those experiencing and perpetrating maltreatment, information on the types of maltreatment investigated, and information on services to address the maltreatment. DHS Adult Protection Unit facilitates participation in NAMRS by providing deidentified Minnesota APS data to NAMRS annually.
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Effective Oct. 16, 2024, agencies will no longer be able to search PolicyQuest for past responses to adult protection policy questions. DHS is making this change because previous responses may include outdated, incorrect information. Adult protection professionals should use dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us to submit questions on policy not addressed in the DHS Adult Protection Policy Manual and Adult Protection Structured Decision Making and Standardized Tools Guidelines and Procedures Manuals.
Best Practice for Coordination of Interventions
Minnesota’s Adult Protective Services exists so that adults who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, or exploitation are supported to live in safety and dignity, consistent with their own culture, values, and goals, and so people concerned about them have resources for support. Goals of APS are to improve the safety, dignity, and quality of life as defined by the adult, through engagement in assessment, service planning and interventions to stop, reduce risks and prevent maltreatment reoccurrence.
Through engagement and service planning APS works to balance the adult’s right to self-determination and choice with safety from maltreatment. This balance is achieved through approaches to engage with the adult. Engagement supports the adult’s voice, perspective and understanding of their situation, options, and consequences of choice. APS approaches are person-centered, trauma- informed and specific to the adult’s culture, values, and goals. APS works assertively using person-centered approaches to engage adults who refuse assessment and services.
All interventions recommended, referred, or implemented with the adult are based on the principle of least restrictive interventions needed to meet assessed needs as identified in the SDM® strengths and needs assessment and outlined in the adult’s service plan.
Service planning includes making referrals for short or long-term services and supports. It is important that APS shares information with service providers, and/or informal supports when necessary for them to understand issues that may have lead to the maltreatment and identify strategies to best support the adult in order to stop, reduce risks, and prevent maltreatment reoccurrence. APS information sharing follows the minimum necessary rule, meaning that only information needed for an effective service intervention is shared. APS coordination with providers and supports is done in consideration of data practices rules, requirements to protect the identity of the reporter and considering the choice of the adult. The purpose of coordination and referral is to help supports understand the strengths and needs of the adult and how the intervention can support safety for the adult. APS coordination and communication with services and supports is an essential APS role. APS referrals to services and supports are an extension of APS work, not a replacement of APS duties under the Vulnerable Adult Act. Continued engagement with the adult, service providers, and supports prior to case closure ensures the service plan meets the needs of the adult and identifies if there are service barriers such as funding, the adult refusing, or other barriers to the service intervention that need APS re-assessment of intervention to reduce the risk of further maltreatment.
APS continues to engage with the adult and coordinate with service providers, and supports until the adult is assessed as safe, or conditionally safe, and the assessment is closed.
Question?
Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or 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 is from the 2022 NAMRS Maltreatment Report, Exhibit 2.1: Total Reports.
Nationwide, APS received 1,387,225 reports of alleged adult maltreatment and accepted 834,055 for investigation in FFY 2022, which equals 60.1% of reports accepted for investigation (screened in).
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialist (APRS)
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialist (APRS) staff support adult protection 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 and reported as having experienced maltreatment.
Connect with an APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
MN Adult Protection Foundations: eLearning Courses
MN Adult Protection Foundations: eLearning courses provide self-paced foundational trainings for adult protection professionals across Minnesota. The 12 online Foundations: eLearning courses can be taken in any order and reviewed at any time. The Foundations: eLearning courses align with national adult protection core competencies and Minnesota state adult protection policy.
The 12 Foundations: eLearning courses are prerequisite for the MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training
Links to Foundations: eLearning courses are available on the Adult Protection: policies and procedure website, or click the links below to access each Foundations: eLearning course:
- 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 Foundations: eLearning courses were developed to complement existing National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC) training opportunities and support adult protection professional development.
MN Adult Protection Foundations: eLearning courses support equity and consistency in service response and outcomes that safeguard and promote dignity for adults who are vulnerable, regardless of their location in Minnesota, and the courses address core competency training recommendations in the ACL Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems. The Foundations: eLearning courses support adult protection professionals meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e (8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties).
Questions? Please contact the DHS Adult Protection team at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training
MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training is a 3-hour interactive online training facilitated by MN DHS Adult Protection Unit staff. The Foundations: Live Training reviews case examples and practical scenarios in order to apply foundational statutory definitions and MN state adult protection policy principles covered in the Foundations: eLearning courses.
The 12 Foundations: eLearning courses are prerequisite for the MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training
Click a link below to register for a MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training
MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training supports equity and consistency in service response and outcomes that safeguard and promote dignity for adults who are vulnerable, regardless of their location in Minnesota, and the course addresses core competency training recommendations in the ACL Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems. The Foundations: Live Training supports adult protection professionals meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e (8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties).
Questions? Please contact the DHS Adult Protection team at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
MN APS SDM® Intake Assessment Trainings
There are two eLearning training modules now available for the Minnesota APS SDM® Intake Assessment. One module is for APS workers and one module is for APS Supervisors.
Below are links to each of the training modules:
SDM ® e-learning modules can be accessed directly through the links and will be posted under “Help with adult protection training resources” at Adult protection: policies and procedures edit this placeholder text.
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:
- November 4th and 7th, 2024
- February 3rd and 6th, 2025
- March 3rd and 6th, 2025
- April 7th and 10th, 2025
- May 5th and 8th, 2025
Please visit the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website for registration instructions, additional resources, and more detailed information about the course.
APS Technical Assistance and Resource Center (TARC)
APS TARC provides a variety of free educational opportunities for adult protection professionals including podcasts, webinars, briefs, and toolkits that align with APS Core Competencies in national standards. APS TARC offerings address a wide variety of topics including ethics, frauds and scams, interviews with experts, implicit bias, trauma informed practice, and more.
Keep up to date with APS TARC offerings by joining their mailing list, and check out the APS TARC YouTube page for additional content. Many APS TARC educational opportunities can support adult protection professionals meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e (8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties).
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Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment Dashboard
The Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment 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 for mandated reporters on the DHS Adult Protection: Policies and Procedures webpage. Specific training resources for adult protection professionals are included under the "Adult protection worker resources and training" drop down. These resources support adult protection professionals meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e (8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties).
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 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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