Adult Protection 1.) What does adult protection mean and what do you do? A: We promote safety, independence and quality-of-life for older persons and persons with disabilities who are being mistreated or in danger of being mistreated, and who are unable to protect themselves. 2.) If someone wants to make a report to the adult protection department what information is needed? A: The information you should provide is: • Names of alleged vulnerable adult & perpetrator • Their address • Birth dates/approximate age • Specifics about the incident • Witnesses • Location of incident • Diagnosis or limitations of victim 3.) What happens after a report is made? A: We have an Intake unit that will take the report alleging maltreatment involving vulnerable adults. The report is evaluated for imminent danger which would require an immediate response. If an immediate response is not required then background information is gathered and the report is scheduled to be screened. 4.) What does “screened” mean and who does it? A: Reports are reviewed by a screening team that includes a supervisor, the social worker who took the intake and 2-3 additional social workers. They evaluate the report to determine if the person who is the subject of the report meets the legal definition of a vulnerable adult and identify the maltreatment alleged. Those two criteria are what is reviewed in determining if a report is screened in for assessment and/or investigation or screened out because one or both of the criteria were not met. In addition, a referral to law enforcement is made when it is believed a crime has been committed. 5.) Who is a vulnerable adult: A: There are two classifications Categorical: • Resident or inpatient of a facility; • Recipient of home care services from licensed facility; Functional: • Regardless of residence or service has an: - impaired ability to meet basic needs; and/or - impaired ability to protect self. 6.) What is maltreatment? A: Maltreatment is abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. 7.) What are some are some examples of maltreatment? A: Physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, failure to provide basic needs. It may be by a caregiver or self-neglect and failure to spend or unauthorized spending of the vulnerable adult’s income or assets. 8.) Are there different types of financial exploitation? A: Yes. There are two kinds: Fiduciary agreements: • Power of attorney • Guardianships • Conservators • Representative payee No legal agreements: • Financial transactions; • Vulnerable adult displays some degree of diminished capacity; 9.) When you complete your investigation, what happens? A: If the evidence shows a crime was committed, law enforcement prepares a report that is forwarded to the county attorney’s office. I enter information on the perpetrator in the social services computer that is transmitted to the background studies unit at Dept of Human Services. A Substantiated Finding may exclude the perpetrator from certain jobs. 10.) In 2014, there were 376 maltreatment reports compared to 202 in 2013. Are those numbers an accurate reflection of the number of reports you investigate? A: Yes and no. That is accurate number of reports received but it doesn’t reflect the number of allegations that are investigated. In 2013, there were 206 allegations of maltreatment included in the 202 reports received and in 2014, there were 391 allegations in 376 reports that were reported. 11.) If someone wants to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult, who do I contact to make a report? A: Crow Wing County Social Services Intake Dept. Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at 824-1140 or Law Enforcement Center any other time at 829-4749. • There is also an online adult maltreatment reporting form available on the Crow Wing County website at: www.crowwing.us

• published: 27 Mar 2015
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