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The SDM® safety assessment tool will officially launch statewide in the SSIS 26.1 release on February 18, 2026. This update reflects ongoing efforts to support consistent assessments of safety of adults alleged to be vulnerable and maltreated who are accepted for APS response across Minnesota.
Policy training on the updated tool is currently underway to support staff readiness. Four (4) worker and two (2) supervisor trainings have been held to date with more opportunities listed below.
Remaining worker training opportunities:
Remaining supervisor training opportunity
Update to Standardized Tool Terminology
The title of the Final Safety Assessment standardized tool has been updated to Closing Assessment within SSIS. This change is in name only. The policy, purpose, and use of the tool remain the same.
With the recent updates to the SDM® safety assessment, the safety plan document has been removed. As a result, documentation of a safety plan is no longer part of the Closing Assessment. Aside from this documentation change, there are no additional changes to expectations for completing the assessment.
This change was made to align with the updates to the SDM® Safety Assessment and Strengths and Needs Assessment and Service Plan. Updates to the language in the Closing Assessment will be made in the MN APS Policy Manual and the SSIS tool module to reflect this alignment and incorporate person-centered language.
AARP Fraud Watch Network and FINRA Investor Education Foundation collaborated on a study of
victim-blaming practices in the context of financial fraud. The "Words Matter: Improving Outcomes for Scam Victims" (PDF) aims to eliminate victim-blaming language in financial scams to improve reporting and emotional recovery.
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 "Words Matter: Improving Outcomes for Scam Victims" (PDF)
APS Intervention: Health and Welfare Check
A Health and Welfare Check is a protective intervention requested by Adult Protective Services (APS) and carried out by local law enforcement. APS may request a health and welfare check from law enforcement when the agency is unable to contact the adult or support persons in order to respond to immediate risks identified in Emergency Adult Protective Services notification, or when needed to assess immediate risks to the adult's life, health, or safety.
What Is a Health and Welfare Check?
A Health and Welfare Check occurs when law enforcement officers conduct an in-person visit to:
- Confirm the person’s safety and wellbeing
- Determine whether emergency medical attention is needed
Why Does APS Uses This Intervention?
When there is an immediate need to enter premises to assess safety and APS is unable to gain access, or if APS does not have the ability to respond immediately when life, health, or safety are at risk, the Vulnerable Adult Act requires law enforcement to initiate a response immediately and coordinate response when a county requests assistance for emergency adult protective services.
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 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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