Adult Protection

Information for helping vulnerable adults, including how to make vulnerable adult abuse reports.

The Common Entry Point (CEP) is available 24 hours per day to receive reports of vulnerable adult maltreatment. The CEP assesses these reports and sends them to the appropriate lead investigative agency (county, law enforcement, Office of Health and Facility Complaints or the Department of Human Services).

Reporting

Anyone can make a report concerning the safety of a vulnerable adult. To make a vulnerable adult report, please call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574. MAARC will provide the report information to Olmsted County Adult Protection for those situations in which Olmsted County is the lead investigative agency.

If you are a mandated reporter, you may use the online reporting tool at www.mn.gov/dhs/reportadultabuse.

Information that is helpful when you report, but not required:

  • The name and address of the vulnerable adult
  • The name and address of the person causing the maltreatment
  • The date and time of the alleged maltreatment
  • Details of what happened, when, where, and how
  • Is the vulnerable adult still at risk.

The role of Olmsted County Adult Protective Services

  • Investigate allegations of maltreatment
  • Report allegation findings to DHS Background Studies Unit
  • Provide protection to the vulnerable adult
  • Provide training and presentations on vulnerable adults and maltreatment issues.

For more information, please see MN Statute 626.5572.

Olmsted County's Prioritization Guidelines 

(as directed by MN Statute 626.557, Subd. 10b)

National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) provides Ethical Principles and Best Practice Guidelines as the foundation for ethical behavior in adult protective services nationwide.

All reports of alleged maltreatment of vulnerable adults are received from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) and screened to determine if the report meets criteria for assessment using the following guidelines:

Jurisdiction - reports received are reviewed to determine the appropriate Lead Investigative Agency

  • There are three possible Lead Investigative Agencies (LIAs) that could be responsible for investigating reports under section 626.557, Subd. 9c.  The county receiving the report will make sure it is directed to the agency best equipped to address the concerns, if necessary.  
  • Reports made to MAARC are forwarded to the county where the adult is located, not to the county where the alleged maltreatment occurred.  
  • There is a coordinated response among the counties in Southeast Minnesota (Region 10) through a memorandum of understanding which allows for a report to be sent to the county where the alleged maltreatment occurred.
  • Jurisdiction involving enrolled tribal members will be determined by coordinating directly with the appropriate tribe. If a tribe chooses to accept jurisdiction, the report will be screened out by the county and referred to the appropriate tribe. If a tribe chooses not to accept jurisdiction or does not respond to the county within one business day of attempted contact, the county will accept jurisdiction and continue to screen the report.  
  • Minnesota Department of Education is the agency responsible for responding to allegations of maltreatment in public school settings, including charter schools, for students ages 18-21.

Vulnerable Adult Status – reports are screened to determine vulnerability status

  • The adult must meet criteria as a vulnerable adult according to MN Statute 626.5572 Subd. 21 at the time the suspected maltreatment occurs.
  • If the report indicates that the individual named in the report meets criteria as a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged maltreatment, the screening process will continue.
  • If the report indicates that the individual does not meet criteria as a vulnerable adult, the report is screened out.
  • If the county is unable to determine vulnerability status, the screening team will determine whether there is still reason to believe the adult is eligible for continued screening.

Allegation of Maltreatment – reports are screened to determine if there is alleged maltreatment

  • A specific type of maltreatment (neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation) as defined in MN Statute 626.5572 must be alleged.
  • Enough information must be contained in the report for the screening team to determine if maltreatment may have occurred.  If not, the report may be screened out.

Agency Prioritization – agency-specific guidelines as authorized by MN Statute 626.557, Subd. 10b that may result in reports not being accepted for assessment include, but are not limited to:

  • Allegations of self-neglect that can be resolved through case management.
  • The alleged maltreatment has stopped, the risk of reoccurrence is reduced, and the adult’s needs are met through current services or supports.
  • The adult is deceased at the time of the report.
  • The adult is no longer in Minnesota.
  • The adult is incarcerated at the time of the report; reports may be referred to MN Department of Corrections for review if deemed appropriate.
  • Alleged maltreatment will not be addressed by adult protective services based on informed choice of the vulnerable adult.
  • Agency lacks resources for assessment.
  • Existing agency prioritization guidelines that do not match any above rationale:
    • Financial exploitation loss is unspecified or less than $500.
    • Reports involving unpaid debts (i.e. gambling or facility debt) where there is no alleged maltreatment to the adult.
    • Information known to the agency about the contents of the report which indicate that a response by adult protection would not benefit the adult.
    • The reported maltreatment has already been investigated and there is no indication of a change to the adult’s situation.

Response Priority – reports are prioritized based on the risk of harm to the vulnerable adult

  • Initiation of an assessment may or may not include contact with any individual identified in the report, requesting records, coordination with other professionals, or other actions as determined by the adult protection staff.
  • Adult maltreatment reports alleging that the vulnerable adult needs immediate services for protection and is in imminent danger or risk of serious harm may be opened for an Emergency Protection Response (EPS) if there are concerns such as, but not limited to:
    • The adult is in danger of immediate harm, physical or sexual assault, injury, loss of health, or death due to abuse, neglect, or self-neglect.
    • The adult has been harmed, and person alleged responsible has access to the adult or other adults vulnerable to maltreatment.
    • Fear of the person alleged responsible interferes with the adult’s ability to meet their activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
    • The adult’s resources are being mismanaged or misappropriated AND there is an immediate concern for preserving assets.