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In Adult Protection Services (APS), one of our most important responsibilities is to ensure that vulnerable adults are safe while honoring their autonomy and personal choices. This delicate balance was especially evident in a recent case involving a paraplegic client who relied heavily on his Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for day-to-day needs.
Over the past few years, APS received multiple reports concerning this client’s well-being. The consistent thread in these reports was the PCA—allegations ranged from caregiver neglect to emotional abuse and financial exploitation. Each time an assessment was conducted, the client acknowledged the risks but chose to continue working with the PCA. He cited their long-standing friendship and expressed deep concern over the difficulty of finding new staff. Despite the irregular care and signs of financial misuse, he was unwilling to press charges or end the arrangement.
Throughout these assessments, APS staff offered various supports and interventions, including options to limit the PCA’s access to his finances and personal property. But time and again, the client insisted he was okay with the situation—until he wasn’t.
During the most recent visit, the APS worker arrived with detailed bank statements that clearly outlined troubling transactions: unexplained cash withdrawals and charges that the client himself had not authorized. This time, the evidence struck a chord. The client, visibly upset, stated that he had finally had enough.
Through multiple discussions and ongoing support, the client made several empowering decisions:
- He had the locks changed on his home—now only he has the keys.
- He cancelled his existing bank card and requested a new one.
- He asked for the return of his van.
- Most notably, he agreed to press charges and have the PCA formally trespassed from his residence.
While APS offered alternatives such as respite care and assisted living during the transition, the client chose to stay in his home while new staff were secured—a process that took only a few weeks.
What made the difference in this case wasn’t just the evidence or the repeated assessments—it was the person-centered planning approach. By giving the client ownership of the process and decisions, APS was able to build trust and create a space where he felt safe making significant changes. Even though the alleged maltreatment had occurred over an extended period, the client was ultimately able to reclaim control—on his terms and timeline.
This case highlights the power of patience, persistence, and person-centered planning. It’s a reminder that meaningful change often comes not from force, but from partnership. In APS, our goal isn’t just to stop maltreatment—it’s to support vulnerable adults in living safely and with dignity, making sure they remain central in the decisions that affect their lives.
A recent publication by Dr. Marti DeLeima, University of Minnesota School of Social Work, and her colleagues examined risk factors for fraud from mass marketing mailings. The researchers also offered suggestions for consumer education that may have implications for APS interventions.
The study found vulnerability to being a victim of a mail fraud included: being older, engaging in sweepstakes and lotteries, having little savings for emergencies and loneliness. The study found that living alone and lack of social engagement were not risk factors, but loneliness was a risk.
Recommendations from the researchers to prevent financial fraud included: increasing meaningful social engagement, having education on scams and fake lotteries, receiving support and assistance in budgeting and to regularly review bank statements and activity. Interventions suggested for adults impacted by financial fraud included education to block or not answer calls from unknown callers, decline mail and phone telemarketing and on how to recognize and throw away mass mail marketing materials without responding to the materials.
The issue brief is available Financial Industry Regulating Authority (FINRA) "Insights" February, 2025.
Three decisions are made at APS intake:
- Does the agency have jurisdiction as the lead investigative agency (LIA)?
- Is the adult believed to be vulnerable?
- Is the incident possibly maltreatment?
Resources to support decisions under #1 are found in County Duties for Intake in the policy manual under Jurisdiction considerations and under Agency Responsible for MAARC Report on the DHS Partners and Providers webpage under Manuals and Resources.
Support for decisions under #2 and #3 are in the SDM ® intake assessment tool and the Minnesota Adult Protection Policy . APS policy knowledge can be refreshed by reviewing Adult protection training resources such as Adult Protection Foundations e-learnings and the Minnesota SDM Intake Assessment Training.
The Social Services Information System (SSIS) is the technical system used to assurance quality and evaluate compliance in policy and timelines for the decisions. Completing SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training and the associated e-learning suite supports accurate data entry for quality and outcomes evaluation reports that help us all understand how our APS system is meeting outcomes and where additional resources are needed to support outcomes for adults referred to APS.
Other activities that support adults referred to APS:
- Using the SDM® intake assessment definitions and policy to guide intake decisions
- Contacting the reporter when the adult maltreatment report (AMR) does not provide sufficient information to complete the screening tool.
- Evaluating information provided by the reporter, regardless of whether it is based on first-hand knowledge of the maltreatment
- Considering the SDM® definitions of vulnerability regardless of the adult’s mental capacity
- Self-determination and choice are not factors when determination whether someone meets the criteria as vulnerable
- Making decisions on if financial exploitation resulted in harm following assessment as opposed to intake
- Separating intake decisions from assessment activities
- Understanding how your agency’s Prioritization Guidelines are defined and applied
- Screen in adults already open for APS assessment following guidance on multiple referrals under county duties- intake/ screening in the Minnesota Adult Protection Policy Manual
- Ask for consultation when it is not clear if additional information is needed to complete the SDM® intake assessment, or if it is not clear which selection should be made in the tool or what screening decision will best protect the adult when information or APS values conflict
Intake decisions that align with the APS vision and mission- and support adults who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation to live in safety and dignity- are made by using available resources to strength policy knowledge, improve SSIS navigation, reflect on potential biases, and seek support or consultation when needed.
Cultural Responsiveness Diversity Information Sheets contain background, religious and cultural beliefs, communication preferences, and common health issues of predominant populations in Minnesota, including: African American, American Indian, Asian Indian, Bhutanese, Cambodian, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Ethiopian, European American, Hmong, Iraqi, Karen, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Liberian, Poverty, Rural, Russian, Somali, and Vietnamese.
Please visit the MN Adult Protection LMS for access to this content.
MN Adult Protection LMS
MN Adult Protection eLearning courses are accessed through the MN Adult Protection learning management system (LMS), iSpring, which is a software application that manages and delivers training content. The dedicated MN Adult Protection LMS provides on-demand, self-paced eLearning courses for APS professionals across the state.
Complete the following steps to access the MN Adult Protection eLearning courses:
- Register for iSpring by selecting the iSpring registration link and filling out the sign-up form
- Select the “Catalog” tab to view the available courses
- To enroll in a course, click a course title and select “Add to My Courses”
- The “My Courses” tab will list all enrolled courses; select a course to begin!
Already registered for iSpring? Select the iSpring login link to access MN Adult Protection trainings.
Questions? Please contact DHS Adult Protection at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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 an application that manages and delivers training content. This dedicated MN Adult Protection LMS provides on-demand, self-paced eLearning courses for APS professionals across the state. Content includes foundational eLearning courses, Cultural Responsiveness Diversity Information Sheets, and more.
Complete the following steps to access the MN Adult Protection eLearning courses:
- Register for iSpring by selecting the iSpring registration link and filling out the sign-up form
- Select the “Catalog” tab to view the available courses
- To enroll in a course, click a course title and select “Add to My Courses”
- The “My Courses” tab will list all enrolled courses; select a course to begin!
Already registered for iSpring? Select the iSpring login link to access MN Adult Protection trainings.
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
MN Adult Protection Foundations eLearning Courses
Foundations eLearning courses address core competency training recommendations in the ACL Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems and align with Minnesota state adult protection policy. MN Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses include:
- What is Adult Protection in Minnesota?
- Adult Protection Services Populations Served and Eligibility
- MAARC Functions and Duties
- Lead Investigative Agencies (LIA) and Jurisdictions for Maltreatment Response
- EPS Intake
- APS Intake
- MN APS SDM® Intake Assessment Training for Workers or MN APS SDM ® Intake Assessment for supervisors
- Assessment Response
- APS Assessment
- APS Coordination and Data Sharing
- Completing Protective Services and Case Closure
- Engagement Strategies
- Completing Final Disposition and Appeals
*Please note, the Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses are prerequisite for the MN Adult Protection Foundations Live Training
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 Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses.
*Please note, the Adult Protection 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.
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).
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.
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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 or to sign up for the newsletter at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609
For more information, visit us online at DHS Adult Protection: Program Overview
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