“Functional” and “Categorical” fields in the Social Services Information System (SSIS) are removed from the “Victim Information” tab of the Adult Maltreatment Report (AMR) and “Resident of Facility” and “Non-residential licensed services” are no longer required selections as of the May 21st SSIS 25.2 release.
These changes in SSIS were made to align the technical system with APS policy. The SDM ® Intake Assessment provides policy guidance and serves as documentation on if the adult referred to APS meets criteria as vulnerable. Final determination selections and case notes entered in SSIS serve as additional documentation on if the adult accepted for APS was determined to meet policy criteria as a vulnerable adult following assessment.
|
 |
|
Information to support making initial disposition decisions within the statutory 5 business day time frame for adults referred to APS is available in edoc DHS-8685. The edoc was released by Human Services Performance Management and contains information on the measure, data used and actions that can be implemented by agencies to support high performance in meeting intake timelines on service decisions for adults referred for APS. |
When can an adult protection assessment be closed?
An assessment can be closed once the service plan, interventions and required tools are completed, facts have been gathered and a final determination made, a final safety assessment is completed, and the adult has been assessed as safe or conditionally safe.
An assessment can be closed with a final safety assessment of unsafe if following diligent attempts by APS to engage the adult and their supports in service interventions to mitigate risk of current danger, the intervention is not unavailable, or the adult who understands the consequences and accepts the risks associated with the danger, declines interventions.
What does safe and conditionally safe mean?
Safe means information gathered through assessment shows that there are no current danger factors, and the adult is not likely to be in danger of serious harm.
Conditional Safe means one or more current danger factors have been identified and safety interventions necessary to mitigate the danger to the adult are/will be provided.
What if I have completed the determination regarding the maltreatment, but am still working with the adult on protective services to reduce risk of maltreatment?
Building a relationship and developing trust needed to engage the adult in interventions can take more time than gathering facts to make an investigative determination on the allegation. Engagement with the adult and supports for service planning and interventions to stop, reduce risk, or prevent maltreatment reoccurrence may continue past entry of final disposition.
It is important to recognize that physical, mental, or emotional impairments, history of trauma, or right to self-determination and choice of the adult who is vulnerable may impact their agreement with service planning. The adult’s initial refusal to consent or cooperate with service planning or interventions does not justify closing the assessment.
How can the adult receive ongoing monitoring and support after an APS assessment is closed?
Adults that are the subject of a closed APS assessment may be offered case management.
VA/DD-TCM eligibility could be reviewed and implemented if appropriate. Agencies may choose to offer ongoing case management through the agency, or can refer adults to fee for services case management services.
Case management monitoring and support are outside of APS policy guidance and occur after the APS case is closed.
|
MN Adult Protection training 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. Many of the following training opportunities support APS professionals meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e (8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties).
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 Learning Management System and eLearning Courses
The MN Adult Protection learning management system (LMS), iSpring, is a software application that manages and delivers training content and tracks training information. This dedicated MN Adult Protection LMS provides on-demand, self-paced eLearning courses for APS professionals across the state.
How to complete iSpring registration and enroll in a course:
- Select the iSpring link and fill out the simple sign-up form
- Select the “Catalog” tab to view the available courses
- Click a course title and select “Add to My Courses” to enroll
- The “My Courses” tab will list all enrolled courses; select a course to begin!
Available MN Adult Protection LMS eLearning courses include 12 Adult Protection Foundations courses and two MN APS SDM Intake Assessment Training courses. Additional training content will be added as developed. (Please note, the 12 Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses are prerequisite for the MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training).
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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 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 course reviews case examples and practical scenarios in order to apply foundational statutory definitions and MN state adult protection policy principles covered in the 12 Adult Protection 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
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
SSIS Essentials eLearning
SSIS Essentials eLearning is a collection of six courses that provide an introduction to basic navigation and functionality of core SSIS functions. SSIS Essentials eLearning is offered through TrainLink. Please visit the SSIS Essentials eLearning website for registration, TrainLink instructions, technical requirements, and more information about each of the courses.
SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training
The SSIS Adult Protection Worker course is a technical training that provides an overview of data entry in SSIS as related to APS. 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. Please visit the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website for available training dates, registration instructions, 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. 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.
|
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. The DHS Adult Protection newsletter archive includes 12 months of past newsletters. Please contact us with any questions at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609
For more information, visit us online at DHS Adult Protection: Program Overview
|
