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There is one remaining Structured Decision Making (SDM)® Safety Assessment Post-Implementation Webinar on March 26, 2026!
This webinar provides post-implementation support on the revised SDM® Safety Assessment, a collaborative effort between the Minnesota DHS and Evident Change.
Participants will receive:
- A high-level overview of the project.
- Details about the updated SDM® Safety Assessment and the new APS SDM Workflow.
- An emphasized review of the revised list of Imminent Danger Factors and Recommended Interventions listed on the updated Safety Assessment.
- An opportunity to participate in guided case example practice with the updated SDM Safety Assessment.
MEETING DATE, TIME, AND LINK
Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 10am – 11am CT
For more information, please reach out directly to Francinia Henry (FMHenry@EvidentChange.org) or Doug Smith (DSmith@EvidentChange.org).
As part of the ongoing collaboration with Evident Change to evaluate, review, and update the APS Structured Decision Making® (SDM) Safety Assessment, a revised SDM Safety Assessment Policy & Procedures Manual (PDF) is now available. The PDF is linked on the Adult Protection: news, initiatives, reports, work groups webpage under Initiatives | Structured Decision Tool (SDM) Update Project | Structured Safety Assessment Update Project.
The SDM Safety Assessment helps workers assess whether the adult who is vulnerable is likely to be in imminent danger of serious harm, to determine what interventions should be initiated or maintained to provide appropriate protection, to work with the adult regarding their immediate safety and current danger factors identified in the assessment and ultimately to implement short-term interventions to mitigate the current danger.
MN DHS Adult Protection shares information statewide through the GovDelivery system, including our monthly APS Newsletter, training and webinar opportunities, and other essential APS information. If you received this Newsletter in your email, you're on the list!
New APS workers and supervisors should email DHS Adult Protection at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us to request inclusion on the APS mailing list.
Signing up for the DHS Adult Protection Newsletter has been added to the MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan and will help all new APS professionals stay up-to-date with Minnesota APS news.
When Your Agency Receives a New Report and Another County Has an Open APS Assessment
Sometimes during intake, a county as Lead Investigative Agency (LIA) may discover through state-wide search in SSIS, or through intake activities, that another county has an open Adult Protective Services (APS) assessment for the same adult. When this happens, the two counties should quickly coordinate to determine which agency should handle the new report.
The first consideration is which agency is best able to protect the adult? That is the agency which should assume jurisdiction for the new report. Another key question: is the agency with an open assessment actively engaged in investigation or service planning with the adult?
- Yes - Active: reassign (“bounce”) the new report to the LIA with the open assessment.
- No - Not Active: the report remains with the receiving LIA
Coordination is important. A quick check between LIAs helps prevent duplicate work and ensures the adult receives a coordinated response from the appropriate agency.
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 contribute to 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.
DHS Adult Protection Newsletters
The DHS Adult Protection Newsletter is a monthly statewide communication from the DHS Adult Protection Unit that shares information specific to adult protection work in Minnesota, answers common questions, and provides updates and information on training opportunities. The DHS Adult Protection newsletter archive, under the "Help With" section, includes 12 months of past newsletters.
Please email DHS Adult Protection at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us to request inclusion on the APS mailing list.
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, under the "Help With" section, 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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