A Day in the Life of an Adult Protective Services Program Administrator – South Dakota 
 

By Cassie Lindquist, South Dakota APS Program Administrator

July 2025

Adult protective services (APS), a program within the South Dakota Department of Human Services Division of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS), plays a vital role in protecting some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. In South Dakota, APS serves residents age 65 and older, as well as adults with disabilities age 18-64. 

With South Dakota’s largely rural geography and two main population centers nearly 350 miles apart, delivering consistent support is no small feat. Yet the dedicated APS team ensures that eligible adults across the state receive the assistance they need. 

As the South Dakota APS Program Administrator, my typical day starts with reviewing my work calendar for the day/week and catching up on emails. I will also assist with case assignments by logging into South Dakota’s APS database and reviewing any pending reports that have been received that require screening and assignment.

With six investigators stationed across South Dakota in Hot Springs, Rapid City, Pierre, Sioux Falls, and Watertown, staying connected can be a challenge. I rely on monthly one-on-one staff meetings, group team meetings, and spontaneous staff consultations around complex investigations. I review APS assessments submitted by investigators and track case progress through a quality assurance spreadsheet. This helps ensure every open case receives the attention it deserves before being closed or transitioned for ongoing support. I also communicate weekly with South Dakota APS’s contracted quality assurance employee, who reviews reports during the closure process. 

I don’t just supervise though; I occasionally conduct investigations myself — a responsibility that gives me valuable insight into the daily realities the team faces. 

As the person responsible for managing federal grants through the American Rescue Plan Act and Elder Justice Act, I develop spend and operational plans, submit annual and final reports, and meet monthly with the project officer from the federal Administration for Community Living, Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services. The focus of grant funding in South Dakota has been on direct services to better serve the population. When abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation are confirmed through an APS investigation, there are times when APS can offer direct services such as housing assistance, energy/utility assistance, personal care items, food, home modifications, relocation services, or transportation. With the responsibility of managing these grants, I review and approve all direct service requests from APS Investigators. Once a service is approved, the service entities then submit invoices to APS for reimbursement. I review, submit a payment voucher, and track them until payment is made. In addition to my fiscal management duties, I also work on contract agreements with service entities who provide training to the South Dakota APS staff.

Since the APS team is integrated into LTSS, I work closely with program specialists from other areas and participate in bimonthly LTSS leadership team meetings to discuss division goals and initiatives and determine how to address any programmatic challenges. The close relationships I have formed with LTSS case managers and regional operations managers are important so that when they encounter situations that may apply to APS in their daily work with older adults and adults with disabilities, the managers feel comfortable discussing them with me. 

My role also involves regularly reviewing state statutes, administrative rules, and contracts that guide APS operations — balancing day-to-day management with long-term policy planning. 

I am a member of the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), co-chairing the Mountain Region. The Mountain Region meets every other month, and as the co-chair, I assist with developing the agenda, securing speakers, facilitating discussions, and conveying updates to the Mountain Region from the monthly NAPSA Regional Representative Advisory Board and NAPSA Public Policy Committee.  

In this dynamic and multifaceted role, I am proud to be part of a team that works tirelessly to protect South Dakota’s most vulnerable adults, ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being.

 

The APS Blog is updated regularly with posts from contributing authors and new publications from the APS TARC.

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