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1. What information can I obtain from the County about a specific maltreatment allegation?

If you are the reporter, you may be able to learn if the report was accepted for an investigation or if it was screened out. You may also be able to learn the outcome of the investigation (if it was screened in). However, it is possible you may not be provided this information due to data privacy rules. The alleged victim and alleged perpetrator will receive a notice of the County's findings upon the conclusion of the investigation.

2. What if I disagree with the County's maltreatment determination?

The parties will receive a notice of the County's determination. Included with this notice are the steps to request an investigation reconsideration. All requests must be submitted in writing within 15 days of receipt of the notice. The County will only act on such requests submitted from the victim, the perpetrator, or an interested party.

(Definition of "interested party")

3. Who investigates concerns about the treatment of residents of a nursing home?

The County receives all reports of allegations of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. If there are concerns about the nursing home staff, then those reports are sent to the Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) to screen and investigate. All facilities and service providers in Blue Earth County that are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health for which an allegation of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation is made is sent to OHFC.

4. Who investigates concerns about the treatment of residents in a group home?

The County receives all reports of allegations of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. If there are concerns about the group home staff, then those reports are sent to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to screen and investigate. All facilities and services in Blue Earth County that are licensed by DHS for which an allegation of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation is made are sent to DHS.

5. I have learned the County is investigating a maltreatment concern and I have information to share. Who do I contact?

The best way to ensure this information gets to the correct staff member conducting the investigation is contact the County Intake Worker (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) at (507) 304-4444. The intake worker will pass along your information to the assigned worker. Please be aware the County cannot acknowledge or deny we have an open case/investigation as that information is confidential. However, we welcome any relevant information you are willing to share.

6. If I make a report, can I remain anonymous or can someone find out I made the report?

You may remain anonymous when making a report of adult maltreatment. Minnesota state statute indicates the name of the person making a maltreatment report is confidential. It will not be given to the victim, perpetrator, or anyone else by County staff (unless ordered by a judge - which is very rare). It is possible the victim or perpetrator may figure out or even guess as to who made the report.

7. Why would law enforcement be involved with an adult maltreatment investigation?

Sometimes the maltreatment allegation could also be considered a criminal allegation for which law enforcement is responsible to investigate. The County and law enforcement personnel attempt to work together in a joint investigation (when possible) so as to minimize the need for duplicate interviews with parties concerning the same incident.

8. How long does a maltreatment substantiation stay part of the person's record?

The maltreatment substantiation will be in effect for seven years. The determination can impact individuals seeking employment wherein the service or setting is licensed by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Health.

9. What are the reasons the County would screen out a report?

* Not a Vulnerable Adult - Minnesota Statute dictates the County can only intervene in the private lives of adults when they meet the criteria of being a vulnerable adult (which is also defined by statute). Sometimes the County may accept a report for investigation; and as a part of that process, we will gather more information to determine if the person is a vulnerable adult or not. If we learn the person will not meet the criteria, we no longer have the authority to proceed and then close out the investigation. Just because a person is 70 for instance or receiving "disability" from Social Security, it does not mean they automatically are a vulnerable adult. Please see Blue Earth County's website page Vulnerable Adult/Adult Protection for definition of a vulnerable adult.

* Duplicate Report - The County may screen out a report because the same incident/concerns have already been reported to the County and it has been investigated or is currently under investigation.

* Not a Maltreatment Allegation - Sometimes the County gets details of a situation which would not meet the criteria of an allegation of adult maltreatment. This does not happy very often, but these situations are not likely to result in harm to the person (i.e., the person does not have access to cable television).

(Definition of "vulnerable adult")

10. How many County staff work in Adult Protection?

Currently, Blue Earth County employs one full-time staff to conduct adult protection investigations. We also have another employee with other duties in which a quarter of the time is dedicated to adult protection.

11. How many adult protection reports and investigations are completed each year in Blue Earth County?

On average, Blue Earth County receives a total of 420 adult protection reports each year for which the staff complete an average of 115 investigations each year. Most of the other reports are sent back to the Department of Health or the Department of Human Services to screen and investigate.

12. I am not sure if I should report a concern or not.

The decision to make a vulnerable adult report is significant and one which can be dictated by your employer (mandated reporter) and/or your own conscience. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk through a situation with a trusted individual; but in the end, it is up to you to finally decide what to do.

13. How long does it take to complete an adult maltreatment investigation?

The assigned worker has 60 days from which to reach a maltreatment determination. However, it is permitted to extend the investigation longer. At any one time, Blue Earth County Adult Protection staff have anywhere from 20 to 30 active investigations underway. Sometimes an urgent report is made which will require our immediate attention due to imminent risk or danger or harm, or the staff have a particular complex/challenging case; thus, the other cases may take longer to complete.