Adult Protection
Adult protection is a federally mandated service in which social workers investigate allegations of maltreatment and arrange services to assure the safety of vulnerable adults in Cook County.
Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is anyone 18 years or older that:
- Lives in a facility such as a nursing home, assisted living, or adult foster care
- Receives licensed services in their home such as nursing visits OR
- Has a physical or mental dysfunction that impairs their ability to care for themselves, and protect themselves from maltreatment
Maltreatment
County social workers investigate reports of maltreatment. These include:
- Physical Abuse: slapping, hitting, kicking, punching, pinching, etc.
- Sexual Abuse: inappropriate touching, fondling, forcible sex
- Emotional Abuse: yelling, harassing, threatening, put-downs, name calling, isolation
- Caregiver Neglect: a caregiver not supplying adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical services or supervision
- Self-Neglect: a person living in uninhabitable conditions, not attending to medical needs, not taking medications, etc.
- Financial Exploitation: Another individual spending a vulnerable adult’s funds without permission
Reporting Maltreatment
Mandated reporters such as persons in medical occupations, social services, education, law enforcement and caregivers for Vulnerable Adults are required to report known or suspected maltreatment. All other persons are voluntary reporters. The Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act provides immunity from civil and criminal liability when a report is submitted in good faith. The identity of the reporter is always kept confidential.
Be prepared to report the following:
- What happened or is happening?
- To whom did it happen?
- When did it happen?
- Where did it happen?
- Who is responsible for the abuse, exploitation, or neglect
Contact
Martina Johnson: Home And Community Based Services Supervisor
Address: 411 W 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Hours:8 AM – 4 PM, Monday through Friday
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