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An updated SDM® Strengths and Needs Assessment (SNA) Tool, required for use with all adults accepted for APS assessment, that includes a Service Plan was in the SSIS 25.3 statewide release on August 20th. The updated tool uses a strengths-based approach to support APS professionals engaging adults and their supports in an objective assessment of the adult’s strengths and underlying needs that factor into maltreatment, gaining the adult’s point of view of their own safety and needs, and using the assessment to develop an individualized service plan to guide APS, the adult, and their supports in interventions to stop, reduce risk, and prevent maltreatment.
The updated SDM® Strengths and Needs Assessment Policy and Procedure Manual, including SNA and service planning Practice Guidance, is found under Manuals and Resources at Adult protection / Minnesota Department of Human Services. This manual will be incorporated into a future edition of the Minnesota Adult Protection Policy Manual.
An upcoming eLearning module will be available through iSpring, the MN Adult Protection learning management system (LMS). iSpring login and access information is available on the DHS Adult Protection Policies and Procedures website.
Additionally, two technical assistance webinars for APS professionals on how to best use this tool for statewide practice consistency in outcomes of safety and well-being for adults accepted for APS are being offered by Evident Change on:
For more information about the technical assistance webinars, please reach out directly to Francinia M. Henry (fmhenry@evidentchange.org) or Doug Smith (dsmith@evidentchange.org) Attendance to both is not needed.
The graph below represents the estimated financial loss experienced by vulnerable adults in Minnesota who were determined by a Minnesota county Adult Protection Program to have been financially exploited. The loss was estimated by the APS social worker following assessment. The financial exploitation could have been as a result of theft, unauthorized expenditure, deception, coercion, undue influence, fraud, or labor theft.
 Data source: DHS Data Warehouse, compiled 8/19/25
The FTC Consumer Protection Data Spotlight from August 7, 2025 shows a growing wave of scams aimed squarely at retirees’ life savings. While younger people report losing money to these imposters too, reports of losses in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars are much more likely to be filed by older adults. From 2020 to 2024, the number of reports from older adults who lost $10,000 or more to these scams increased more than fourfold.
Older adults' (ages 60 and over) reported losses to government and business impersonation scams soared from 2020 to 2024, with high-loss reports driving the trend.
 Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has two new research products on Elder Self-Neglect (ESN), a significant public health issue affecting millions of older adults nationwide. ESN is the most frequently reported concern to APS and has the highest rate of recurrence, often co-occurring with and leading to other forms of elder maltreatment such as physical, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse.
The research brief synthesizes the latest findings on ESN's prevalence, signs, risk factors, impacts, and intervention strategies. The accompanying research short provides a one-page summary of key findings.
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Updated SDM® Strengths and Needs Assessment (SNA): Completion of All General Strengths and Needs Areas
Each area within the SNA assessment needs to be assessed with the adult and/or their primary support(s) to identify support needs that should be addressed through service planning, referrals, worker action, and recommendations to the adult, primary support(s), and/or case manager (if applicable).
The SNA is not intended to serve as a substantiation tool but rather as a guide for gathering information to identify potential areas of need for APS interventions aimed at preventing or reducing the risk of maltreatment. An allegation not being reported and referred to APS does not mean the adult does not need services planning to reduce risk or to prevent maltreatment in the need area. If the adult does not have a need in an area, it would be assessed as a strength or at minimum, not a need.
Questions? For more information, contact the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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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 is back online!
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 Recommended Training Plan
The MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan introduces new adult protection professionals to important adult protection concepts, statues, and principles, and 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.
The recommended training plan contributes to successful onboarding for new APS professionals, as well as help APS professionals meet statutorily required education requirements, 8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties (626.557 Subd. 9e).
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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