|
The DHS Communication sent to APS professionals on July 1st, “2026 Legislative Session Impacts on APS”, highlighted the reorganization of APS duties in the Minnesota's Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA).
DHS is supporting counties with phased implementation through ongoing communications, training, policy guidance, and future updates to existing reports in the Social Services Information System (SSIS) to align with changed timelines and requirements.
Most of the July 1st statutory changes to APS duties were structural. However, Minnesota Statutes 626.557 Subd. 11c. County social services agency; referrals and Subd. 11d. County social services agency; assessments have new requirements to align with the federal APS rule.
- Adults accepted for emergency adult protective services (EPS) are seen in person within 24 hours
- Adult maltreatment reports, that do not include EPS, must be screened for initial disposition and assessment initiated within seven (7) calendar days following receipt of the adult maltreatment report if the adult was accepted for APS.
DHS data shows county agencies will meet the new timelines as 99% of initial disposition is currently completed within seven (7) calendar days and 95% of APS assessments are initiated within seven (7) calendar days from receipt of report.
Following these practices will support agencies and workers in meeting new statutory timelines.
Recommended practices to support meeting timelines for Emergency Protective Services (EPS) Intake and Assessment
- Check SSIS daily, including weekends and holidays for EPS notifications.
- Within 24 hours from receipt of the referral from MAARC, complete EPS Standard Decision-Making tool and make screening decisions on if the adult referred will be accepted for EPS. This is unchanged from the prior timeline.
- Make in-person contact with the adult within 24 hours for adults accepted for EPS assessment. In-person contact is made by APS or the agency’s designee. This is a change from current policy. In-person contact requirements are met by APS conducting and documenting an in-person safety assessment with the adult, or if APS delegates in person contact to law enforcement or another agency, APS should contact the delegated agency regarding the outcome of the contact and document the date and time of the delegate’s in-person contact in the SSIS.
- Complete the SDM® Safety assessment and plan for immediate safety.
- Requirement for in-person contact within 24 hours applies only to adults accepted for EPS.
Recommended practices to support meeting timelines for Adult Protective Services (APS) Intake and Assessment
- Initiate intake activities the first business day after receiving the MAARC referral electronically in SSIS.
- Enter initial disposition (agency report action) as soon as sufficient information is available and the SDM® Intake Assessment Tool is completed, but no later than two (2) business days following the date of receipt of the referral from MAARC. This timeline replaces the prior statutory requirement to complete screening within five business days, excluding weekends and state-recognized holidays.
- Initiate APS assessment activities within 24 hours of the screening decision for adults accepted for APS assessed as in immediate need of protection (Level 1 Response) using the SDM® Intake Assessment Tool. This timeline is unchanged from current policy for initiation of Level 1 Response.
- Initiate APS assessment within 72 hours of the screening decision and no later than seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the report for adults accepted for APS assessed as in need of a Level 2 Response using the SDM® Intake Assessment Tool. The 72-hour response is unchanged from current policy on timeline for initiation of assessment in a Level 2 Response. The seven (7) calendar day timeline to initiate assessment is new and will be met if the initial screening decision is completed within two (2) business days.
- Within five (5) business days provide initial disposition notification to the reporter. This requirement is unchanged and is consistent with notification requirements of all LIAs.
Rationale for the recommended two (2) business day screening timeline
DHS has conducted analysis of referral dates, business days, calendar days and statutory requirements. This recommendation supports timely initiation of assessment while also ensuring agencies can meet the existing requirement to provide initial disposition notification to the reporter, when requested, within five (5) business days. Completing screening within two business days also provides counties with sufficient time to complete necessary intake, assignment, and assessment activities during a typical business week, recognizing that the statutory seven (7) calendar day timeline may include weekends and holidays.
Calculating Timelines for Intake and Assessment
- The first business day following receipt of the MAARC referral is day-one when calculating seven (7) calendar day timeline for initiating APS assessment.
- Example 1: Referral received at 8:00pm on Friday, day-one would be the following Monday.
- Example 2: Referral received on Christmas Day, day-one would be the next business day.
- Example 3: Referral received at 10:00am on Tuesday, day-one would be Wednesday.
- County agencies may complete initial disposition on a timeline other than the recommended two (2) business days for non-EPS reports, as long as the seven (7) calendar day timeline from referral to initiation of assessment is met and when requested, initial disposition is provided to the reporter within 5 business days from receipt of report.
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).
|
MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan
The MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan includes important adult protection concepts, statues, and principles. The recommended training plan contributes to onboarding new APS professionals, provides a refresher for current APS professionals, 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.
MN Adult Protection Learning Management System (LMS) and eLearning Courses
iSpring, the MN Adult Protection learning management system (LMS), 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, SDM tool 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 eLearning courses.
Available MN Adult Protection 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. eLearning courses include: What is Adult Protection in MN?, MAARC Functions and Duties, APS Intake, MN APS SDM® Trainings; APS Assessment; Engagement Strategies; and more. See the full list of courses on iSpring.
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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.
Click a link below and select the desired date to register for a MN Adult Protection Foundations Live training
***Please note, the Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses are prerequisite for the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
|
The DHS Adult Protection Newsletter shares knowledge specific to adult protection work in MN, answers common questions, 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
|
