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The Order for Protection Against Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, authorized under MN Statute 609.2334 and commonly referred to as the Financial Exploitation Injunction, is a civil legal remedy designed to prevent ongoing or imminent financial harm to vulnerable adults. This statute provides courts with broad authority to intervene quickly when there is a credible risk of financial exploitation, while also outlining specific procedural requirements and safeguards.
APS may receive MAARC referrals associated with Financial Exploitation Injunction petitions that do not meet Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA) criteria. This is because MN Statute 609.2334 requires petitioners to report to MAARC even when the concern is based on risk of financial exploitation, rather than an incident that has already occurred. APS must screen all reports using the Structured Decision Making® (SDM®) intake assessment to determine whether the report meets policy criteria for APS assessment.
Though eligible petitioners include a person or organization acting on the adult’s behalf with the adult’s consent, or a person filing an emergency guardianship petition, in practice, APS is unlikely to serve as the petitioner under MN Statute 609.2334. The statute requires the adult’s consent, and when consent is present, APS generally has access to less restrictive and more service-oriented interventions that can effectively stop or reduce risk and prevent recurrence of maltreatment without court involvement.
Nevertheless, APS plays an important coordination role. When an APS case is opened in response to a MAARC referral, APS may collaborate with parties authorized under MN Statute 626.557, subd. 12b—such as law enforcement, MN Department of Commerce, financial institutions, or service providers—to support and reinforce the protections ordered by the court. Even in cases where a referral is not accepted for APS services, APS may still provide guidance to the reporter or the adult, such as referring them to the MN Department of Commerce for Safe Senior Financial Protection Act.
** For additional information about the new Order for Protection Against Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, please see the Legislative Update GovDelivery message sent 12/30/25.
Preliminary 2025 Data shows:
- Over 13,000 adults were accepted by APS for engagement in assessment and protective service interventions to stop, reduce risk and prevent maltreatment.
- 12% more adults were accepted for APS than in 2024.
- 27% more adults were accepted for APS than in 2023.
- The proportion of total maltreatment reports assessed as EPS remains stable at 15% of total reports, but 3% more adults were referred for EPS than in 2024.
- The proportion of total maltreatment reports under county LIA jurisdiction continues to increase annually and went from 60% in 2024 to 62% in 2025.
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 Source: DHS Data Warehouse
Intake Decision Approvals
Do supervisors need to approve intake screening decisions?
Yes. While an APS supervisor is responsible for approving screening decisions and any use of agency prioritization reasons, the supervisor may delegate this responsibility it to a designee.
Entries in the intake assessment tool determine the intake decision which is captured in the “tool status”. When an agency prioritization reason is selected to override the tool screening decision, the “tool status” indicates Override Approval Required. The APS supervisor or their designee must review and enter if the use of agency prioritization is approved or denied.
Each agency can determine the most appropriate process for ensuring use of agency prioritization accurately reflects the agency’s prioritization policy and designate the person for making and entering this decision.
Questions? For more information, contact the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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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 and select the desired date 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.
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 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 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. 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 supervisors)
- Assessment Response
- APS Assessment
- MN APS SDM® Strengths and Needs Assessment Training (for workers or supervisors)
- 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
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 and select the desired date 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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