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Adult
Protection and Vulnerable Adult Services
Adult
Protection strives to improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable
citizens. Adult Protection Services focus on safety and well being
but also works towards reducing neglect, abuse or exploitation of
vulnerable adults through outreach and education. Vulnerable Adult
Investigations are completed in conjunction with the Law Enforcement,
the County Attorney's Office and state licensing agencies. As authorized
by Minnesota Statutes, Brown County has an Adult Protection team
in which there is representation from Brown County Family Services,
Health care and Mental Health Providers, Law Enforcement, Brown
County Attorney's Office, Brown County Victim's Services, as well
as a faith-based organization.
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Contact
Information:
Adult Services
Community Services Building
1117 Center Street, PO Box 788
New Ulm, MN 56073-0788
Phone: (507) 354-8246 or 1-800-450-8246
Fax: (507) 359-6542
TDD: (507) 359-6505
Hours: 8 - 5 Weekdays
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Vulnerable Adult & Protective Services:
Our
Vulnerable Adult & Protective Services investigate reports of
alleged abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of Vulnerable
Adults (MN
Statute 626.557 click here for more info )
A
vulnerable adult is someone who:
- Is
18 years of age or older, AND
- Is
dependent on facility services (nursing home, hospital, home health,
licensed residential facilities such as group home or foster care),
OR
- Has
a physical, mental, or emotional infirmity or dysfunction that
requires help in caring for and protecting themselves
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Maltreatment
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Abuse:
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Physical
or Emotional: conduct, intended or not, that produces physical
or emotional pain or injury
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Verbal:
Words or gestures that threaten, harass, disparage, or humiliate
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Sexual:
Violation of criminal sexual conduct or prostitution statutes,
or sexual contact between a facility staff person and a
resident or client of that facility
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Personal
Exploitation: Forcing a vulnerable adult to perform services
for the advantage of another
- Neglect:
Failure of a caregiver to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter,
health care or supervision
- Self
Neglect: Absence of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health
care, or supervision
- Financial
Exploitation:
- A
person with legal authority makes unauthorized use of the
vulnerable adult's resources, resulting in a detriment to
the vulnerable adult
- A
person without authority uses the financial resources of a
vulnerable adult, regardless of detriment
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Mandated
Reporters: The following persons must make a report to the Common
Entry Point if they "suspect" Maltreatment of a Vulnerable
Adult.
- Licensed
health & human service professionals
- Personal
Care Attendants
- Employees
of licensed facilities
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Through
the provision of protective social services, our staff assist
clients in establishing a network of support to help reduce
the victim's risk of further harm. By coordinating services
with clients' relatives, friends, and various professionals
and community resources, arrangements can be made for help such
as in-home services, home-delivered meals, nursing home placements,
medical or psychiatric care, chore services and legal assistance.
When legal intervention is required to protect a Vulnerable
Adult from harm, Adult Protection staff can assist with commitments
for civil commitment,, court orders for the removal of a perpetrator,
and with the appointment of a guardian or conservator.
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Common
Entry Point
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Minnesota statutes require that reports of Maltreatment of Vulnerable
Adults be investigated and reported to the state. Brown County
Family Services is the county's designated entry point for receiving
reports of maltreatment. The information is gathered and then
a written report is made using the Minnesota Department of Human
Services Common Entry Point form. You can complete this form
or download it by clicking on this link: cepform.pdf.
The form can then be faxed to 507-359-6542 during regular
business hours.
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The
Common Entry Point receives, assesses and dispatches all
Vulnerable Adult maltreatment reports that occur in Brown
County and is available Monday-Friday, 8-5pm. After hours,
weekends, and Holidays, the Common Entry Point is the Brown
County Sheriff's Department which is (507) 233-6700.
Be prepared to provide as much information as possible,
such as:
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The
name and address of the vulnerable adult
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The
name and address of the caregiver
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The
name and address of the alleged perpetrator
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The
nature and extent of the suspected maltreatment
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The
date and time of the alleged incident
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After
you have made the report, a process of investigation and
protection will begin
You
can ask to receive notification of the final investigation
report determining whether or not maltreatment occurred Reporter's
names are confidential and retaliation is prohibited and
penalized
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Reporting
Departments
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Reports
involving incidents in facilities licensed by the Health Department
such as nursing homes, hospitals and home care services, are
referred to the Office of Health Facility Complaints
after being reviewed by the Common Entry Point.
Office
of Health Facility Complaints
Phone: 651.201.4201/800.369.7994
Fax: 651.201.4202
Address:
Health Facility Complaints
PO Box 64970
St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
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Reports
involving incidents in facilities and programs licensed by the
Department of Human Services such as residential treatment programs
(halfway houses), adult foster homes, and supportive living
services are referred to the DHS Licensing Division after
being reviewed by the Common Entry Point.
Department
of Human Services-Licensing Division
Phone: 651.296.3971
Fax: 651.297.1490
Address:
DHS Licensing
444 LaFayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-3842
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Reports
of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of Vulnerable Adults
residing in non-licensed community settings, as well as incidents
requiring immediate protective services, are referred to the
Vulnerable Adult Investigator. Reports involving suspected criminal
activity are referred to Law Enforcement after the initial report
is taken by the Common Entry Point.
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More
Information
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If
you would like more information on this or other services at
Brown County Family Services, please call 507-354-8246 and ask
for the Intake Social Worker.
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You
may also click on the following links:
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Get the "Help Protect People who are Frail or Vulnerable" brochure by clicking here
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Frequently
Asked Questions:
- How
do I report abuse of a vulnerable adult?
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How
do I report abuse of a vulnerable adult?
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