Understanding Minnesota's Vulnerable Adult Act Redesign
Minnesota's Vulnerable Adult Act creates a statewide system to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. This act defines maltreatment and outlines the duties of state and county agencies in responding to such cases. Maltreatment includes financial exploitation, abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and more. The Adult Protection System (APS) in Minnesota plays a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable adults, but faces challenges due to lack of sustained federal and state funding. Changes to the Vulnerable Adult Act are underway to address these issues.
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Minnesotas Vulnerable Adult Act Redesign February 23, 2022 Mary McGurran, MSW | Adult Protection Supervisor
What is the Vulnerable Adult Act? Creates our statewide system to protect vulnerable adults Defines who is a vulnerable adult and what is maltreatment: Abuse, Neglect & Financial Exploitation Duties of state agencies responding to maltreatment in licensed facilities and of county agencies for adult protective services
What is Maltreatment? Financial Exploitation Abuse Neglect Stealing property or assets Physical Abuse Lacks food, shelter, clothing, health care or services necessary to maintain health, comfort or safety Sexual Abuse Drug diversion Emotional Abuse Deception or fraud; forced services 3
Vulnerable Adults Reported to MAARC by LIA - CY 2019 and 2020 2019 Data Source: DHS Data warehouse 2020 Data Source: SSIS Reporting 2019 35,000 30,967 2020 28,287 30,000 2019 25,000 20,338 2020 20,000 16,080 15,000 2019 7,243 2020 6,520 10,000 5,000 0 APS-County MDH DHS Licensing 5
Adult Protection - Program Funding Lack of sustained federal and state funding for county Adult Protection Services First federal funding was limited, onetime grants in early COVID relief bills Tribal Nations- no dedicated state or federal funding State funding mechanisms are limited grants (through DHS) to county adult protection agencies Legislature added partial state funding in 2012 and 2019 Currently most county adult protection services rely heavily on county funds for the majority of their operating expenses 6
Vulnerable Adult Act Redesign Key Takeaways screenshot of cover page for "Recommendations and stakeholder input for redesigning the Vulnerable Adult Act" MN s Adult Protection System lacks statewide consistency Balance shift is needed for a response that supports safety and prevention Data Sharing protect privacy while allowing access to necessary information to support safety Lack of a stable funding system contributes to inequities in service response Recommendations and stakeholder input for redesigning the Vulnerable Adult Act (2020) 8
What Included in HF 1432? Clarifies investigation duties for all LIA s Improves clarity for counties to share necessary info with guardians/health care agents Adds requirement for counties to make case acceptance guidelines public Modernizes the definition of family neglect to align with current policy and best practices on informal supports 12/8/2024 Minnesota Department of Human Services | mn.gov/dhs 9
Whats Included in the HF 1432 Amendment? Supports county authority to share data with other LIAs, tribes and/or case managers Allows counties to offer assistance even when the case is not accepted for a maltreatment investigation Emphasizes connecting people to services, changing the focus from investigation to getting families and vulnerable adults support 12/8/2024 Minnesota Department of Human Services | mn.gov/dhs 10
Thank you! Contact: Nicole Stockert Director of Legislative and External Affairs 651-431-6648 Nicole.Stockert@state.mn.us
