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An updated Structured Decision Making® (SDM) Safety Assessment was released this past February following work between DHS, Evident Change, and APS professionals to improve the tool’s consistency with policy and create a cohesive assessment of APS assessment tools.
Evident Change surveyed APS professionals attending training on the updated SDM Safety Assessment with the following results:
79% identified no barriers to implementation of the updated assessment.
68% believe consistency will increase in assessment of the adult’s safety.
58% believe considerations for the culture, community and choice of the adult will increase.
50% believe service planning will be easier.
Additional comments from APS professionals: the updated tool is easy to use, will identify imminent dangers to the adults, and provides workers guidance in difficult situations.
For further information on the updated tool: Minnesota SDM Safety Assessment Manual
The Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard has been updated to include 2025 data!
The Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard includes data that explains what happens after reports are made by the public or mandated reporters to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) for an adult who is suspected to be vulnerable and abused, neglected, or exploited. The dashboard data includes: MAARC reports statewide, MAARC reports by county agency, and MAARC reports by age, race, gender, and disability.
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
Foundations Live training is a 3-hour interactive online training facilitated by MN DHS Adult Protection Unit staff. The course uses case examples and practical scenarios to apply foundational statutory definitions and MN state adult protection policy principles covered in the Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses. A minimum of six registrants needed for the training to occur.
The Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses are prerequisite for this training.
Click the link below to sign up for the June MN Adult Protection Foundations training:
Looking for adult protection training content? Check out the MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan. The training plan includes 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.
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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APS Technical Assistance and Resource Center (TARC) provided reference to VA Form 10-5345 to support APS requests for release of information of health records under custody of the Veterans Administration Medical Center. This VA-specific ROI form requires the signature of the adult or their legal representative.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) recently released a brief on challenges APS professionals experience in working with clients at end of life.
Key Takeaways:
- End-of-life cases bring unique ethical, emotional, and logistical challenges for APS professionals.
- Workers often find it difficult to have coordinated responses due to minimal training and fragmented service systems that inhibit cooperation.
- Strengthening APS practice and workforce sustainability will require improvements in organizational supports and interdisciplinary collaboration
Explore the brief in full (PDF) for more details.
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When is a Service Plan Required?
Is a Service Plan required for all adults accepted for APS assessment? Yes, as the service plan is part of the SDM® Strengths and Needs Assessment (SNA).
The purpose of the SNA is to systematically identify critical adult and primary support service needs and to help guide service planning for APS interventions, using a strength-based approach that includes the voice of the adult.
Engaging the adult in assessment of their strengths and needs and developing a service plan using the SNA tools is required for all adults accepted for APS. There are three exceptions: the adult is accepted only for EPS, determination “No determination-not a vulnerable adult” is made at first contact, or for findings “No determination-investigation not possible” as the adult is deceased or unable to be located. A service plan is not required when the adult is assessed as having no needs and no interventions for the adult or their primary supports are recommended or provided by APS.
For additional policy guidance please refer to the SDM SNA Policy and Procedures Manual or contact your APRS 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?; MAARC Functions and Duties; APS Intake; MN APS SDM® Trainings; APS Assessment; Engagement Strategies; and more. Check out the MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan for a full list of Foundations eLearning courses and directions for accessing the content in the MN Adult Protection learning management system (LMS), iSpring.
*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. A minimum of six registrants needed for each training to occur.
*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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