MAARC: Reporting Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment

What should I do if I suspect maltreatment of a vulnerable adult?

Purpose: To guide Hub staff in identifying vulnerable adult maltreatment concerns, determining next steps, and completing or facilitating MAARC reports.

How do I know if this involves a vulnerable adult?

Ask yourself: Is the person 18+ and unable to self-protect, living in a licensed setting, or receiving licensed services?

• If yes → treat as a vulnerable adult
• If unsure → consult a supervisor

What should I do if there is immediate danger?

• Call 911 or give caller their local 911 dispatch center number (See 911 Dispatch Center Phone Numbers.)
• After emergency services have been contacted, speak with a supervisor to decide whether a MAARC report is still required.

What if the suspected maltreatment happened outside Minnesota?

• The person should report it to that state’s Adult Protective Services.
  • Find national APS contacts here: https://www.napsa-now.org/get-help/help-in-your-area/
• If it happened out of state and the vulnerable adult is now in Minnesota and the maltreatment may be ongoing, a MAARC report is appropriate.

The caller is telling me about suspected abuse or neglect. Who should make the report?

• The person directly involved or who saw what happened should make the MAARC report whenever possible.
  • If they are willing, warm transfer them to MAARC at 1-844-800-1574, or give them the number.

What if the caller wants me to stay on the line with them?

• You may stay on the line if the caller asks.
• When MAARC answers, say: “My caller is filing a report and asked me to stay on the line for support.”
  • You do not give your name or address because you are not the reporter.

What if the person does not want to make the report themselves?

• If the person declines AND you have enough detail to reasonably suspect maltreatment, Hub staff must make the report as a mandated reporter.
• If you’re unsure, you may consult a supervisor — but it is not required to make a mandated report.

To file the report:

• Submit the MAARC Mandated Reporter Form: https://mn.gov/dhs/maarc-mandated-reporter

Hub staff do not follow up with MAARC or APS after submitting.

What do I need to document in CRM after a MAARC-related call?

Document the following in all MAARC-related situations:

• What the caller or vulnerable adult shared
• Who made the report
• Whether you stayed on the line with the caller while they reported
• MAARC reference number (only if Hub staff submitted the report)
• Any safety-related referrals offered or provided
• Follow-up offered or accepted
  

Internal Notes (Quick Guides for Staff Only)

QUICK REFERENCE: Suspected Maltreatment Workflow

STEP 1 — Is this a vulnerable adult?
18+ and: cannot self-protect, in licensed setting, or receiving licensed services
→ If unsure: ask supervisor

STEP 2 — Immediate danger?
YES → 911 → then supervisor → STOP
NO → Step 3

STEP 3 — Who should report?

• Caller has firsthand details → Caller reports
• Hub staff have firsthand details from VA → Hub reports
• Not enough detail → Caller reports

If caller reports: warm transfer 1-844-800-1574 → optionally stay on line → document → offer follow-up

If Hub staff reports: supervisor → Mandated Reporter Form → reference number → CRM → referrals → follow-up → supervisor

Out of state:
Only report to MAARC if: MN incident, or VA now in MN and ongoing risk
Otherwise → APS directory

CRM Checklist:

• Summary
• Who reported
• Stayed on line?
• MAARC reference (if staff)
• Referrals
• Follow-up