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APS Program Operational Plan: South Carolina

State/Territory/District South Carolina

Contact Kelly Cordell

Budget Allocation $4,222,220.00 (Pots 1 & 2 combined)

Timeline AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021- Grant 1 

August 2021 – September 2023 $1,366,031

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2 

August 2022 – September 2024 = 1,490,158 + $1,366,031 = $2,856,189

Vision 2025

The Vision clarifies what your ARPA Grant 1 Program 

aspires to become and to achieve. It is designed to 

inspire by providing a picture of where the program 

is heading in 3-5 years.

Note: If you are a part of a larger organization, does 

it have its own future vision? If so, you may want to 

adapt it to your own program.

All South Carolinians will live their lives free of abuse and neglect while living in the 

environment they chose with all of their needs being met. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 2

Mission Statement

Mission and Values statements can be an effective 

tool to educate the public; state and local 

government officials; state government agencies; 

provider agencies; and service recipients as to what 

the Adult Protective Services is and how they do 

business.

Mission Statements answer four key questions 

about your APS Program:

• Who do we serve?

• What needs do they have that we can fulfil?

• How do we meet those needs? How do we 

make the clients' lives better?

• Does it link directly to the Vision Statement?

Note: if you are a part of a larger organization, does 

it have its Mission Statement? If so, you may want 

to adapt it for your own program.

The mission of South Carolina’s Adult Protective Services Program is to protect 

vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by investigating and providing 

temporary assistance until risk is minimized and services can be secured.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 3 

Guiding Principles / Core Values

Guiding Principles or Core Values guide internal 

processes and client interactions for your APS 

Program. 

Note: if you are a part of a larger organization, does it 

have its own set of Guiding Principles or Core Values? 

If so, you may want to adapt it for this program.

Every action taken by South Carolina APS must balance the duty to protect the safety 

of the vulnerable adult with the adult’s right to self-determination. APS adheres to 

the following APS Guiding Principles:

1. Whenever possible, a vulnerable adult’s right to self-determination should be 

preserved.

2. Vulnerable adults have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and financial 

exploitation and reside in the least restrictive environment possible. 

3. Adults have the right to make decisions as long as these decisions do not harm 

others.

4. Adults have the right to accept or refuse services. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 4

Goals for Program Improvement

These are goals to be obtained in order to move your APS 

program from current practices to your Vision.

Now that you have new funds targeted for your work with 

APS, what can be enhanced or improved in your current 

program? These goals must meet the APS Formula Grant 

requirements. It is recommended these goals become 

SMART goals (specific, measurable, actionable, and 

timely).

Using the results of your Environmental Scan, identify key 

issues that need to be addressed during this planning 

cycle. 

These are goals to move your APS Program from current 

practices to your Vision #1.

1. Improve and Enhance Processes, including policy, practice and training by 

rewriting policy, developing an assessment tool (GATE Assessment) that 

addresses adult’s needs and well-being, providing training to staff, including 

APS Attorneys, and providing needed equipment to streamline practice.

2. Collaborate with community partners and create opportunities to maximize 

resources and provide appropriate placement options, including creating 

placements and assisting adults who can remain in their homes once barriers 

are removed. 

3. Provide incentives to attract and retain quality APS staff in order to best 

serve SC APS adults consistently. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 5 

Targeted Improvement Projects

Using the results of your Environmental Scan and PESTEL, 

describe the targeted improvements and enhancements 

needed for this planning cycle. 

Your improvements should be concrete, measurable, and 

complete.

WHY is this improvement needed? 

What Purpose or NEED will it fill? 

What RESOURCES will be used? 

What ACTIVITIES will it entail? 

What are the direct OUTPUTS of the activities? What are 

the intended results and how will clients benefit?

See example on next page.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6 

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs (Resources 

Deployed)

Activities Outputs from 

Investment

Short-Term 

Outcomes

Long-Term Outcomes

SC APS staff 

need a 

comprehensive 

and intuitive 

assessment tool 

in order to 

better meet the 

needs of 

vulnerable 

adults 

$430K to purchase 

and design 

modification to 

the new 

assessment tool 

and for IT 

contractor salary 

and fringe. 

Partnership with 

University of 

Kentucky to 

modify the GATE 

Assessment tool

ARPA 1 

Project 1

Create an 

Assessment tool 

for SC APS 

adults to 

address needs 

and well-being 

A comprehensive 

assessment tool

automated in the APS

case management 

system

Cases will be correctly 

assessed, appropriate 

services provided and 

cases will be closed 

10% faster

All APS staff will be 

trained on using the 

assessment tool

SC APS staff will be 

able to correctly 

assess and provide 

appropriate services 

for vulnerable 

adults 

SC APS will be able to better 

meet the needs of vulnerable 

adults

SC APS staff 

need up-todate relevant 

training

Child Welfare 

attorneys are 

representing 

APS without 

proper APS 

training

$100,000.00 

Professional 

Development 

plans for SC APS 

Staff

Contracted 

Attorney trainer 

who specializes in 

Elder Law and 

Disabilities

ARPA 1 

Project 2

APS training for 

staff, including 

Attorneys

SC APS Training 

curriculum in place 

that encompasses 

Professional 

Development plans

100% of attorneys 

representing APS and 

APS Staff have 

appropriate training in 

APS Policy and law

SC APS staff will 

have relevant and 

up-to-date training 

Case documentation 

and practice will 

improve 

APS program has 

appropriately

trained attorneys 

that can represent 

APS cases in court

SC APS adults consistently

receive the best possible case 

management from staff and 

representation from attorneys 

appropriately trained in APS 

policy and law
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7 

There is a lack 

of appropriate 

placements for 

vulnerable 

adults under 

the age of 60, 

causing SC APS 

staff to struggle 

finding 

placement 

$500K to pay for 

beds, meals, 24/7 

CNAs and services 

for temporary 

supportive 

placement

Partnership with 

Transitions 

Homeless Shelter 

ARPA 1 

Project 3

Least restrictive 

environment for 

temporary 

emergency/stab

ilization 

placement

Total of eight beds 

(four male and four 

female) will be 

available for SC APS 

Case Managers to 

place vulnerable 

adults under the age 

of 60

Services provided may 

include Medicaid 

Certified Adult 

Daycare, Vocational 

Rehabilitation, CNA 

services and others as 

appropriate 

SC APS Staff will 

have short-term 

placement options 

for this hard to 

place age-group 

(because of their 

lack of income and 

inappropriateness 

for nursing homes) 

that will allow the 

vulnerable adult to 

remain safe while 

further assessments 

are conducted, and 

more appropriate 

long-term 

placements can be 

made

Having appropriate placement 

options for adults in this agegroup will be safer and less costly 

and resource draining than 

motels and leaving adults in the 

emergency departments of 

hospitals 

This option could expand to more 

beds if the project is successful 

Assisting adults 

with remaining 

safely in their 

homes

$116,831.00 to 

cover the cost of 

minor 

modifications to 

homes of 

vulnerable adults

ARPA 1 

Project 4

Home 

Modification

Minor modifications 

can be made to the 

homes of vulnerable 

adults up to $5,000 

(without prior 

approval from ACL)

Number of 

modifications will be 

based on the number 

of applications 

received until funds 

are exhausted 

Vulnerable adults 

who own their 

homes may receive 

minor modifications 

to their homes at 

no cost to them 

allowing them to 

remain in their 

home, avoiding 

unnecessary 

placements

While respecting adult’s right to 

self-determination and allowing 

adults to remain safely in their 

home, when appropriate, will be 

less costly and resource draining 

than motels and leaving adults in 

the emergency departments of 

hospitals 

This option could expand to more 

beds if the project is successful
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 8 

High staff 

turnover, high 

stress and low 

wages makes 

retaining and 

hiring SC APS 

staff difficult

$169,200.00 to 

cover the cost of 

bonuses for APS 

staff

ARPA 1 

Project 5

Bonuses for APS 

Staff

139 staff received 

bonuses of $1,300 

before taxes 

Staff bonuses for SC 

APS will increase 

morale

Increased staff morale will 

hopefully, lead to a reduction in 

the staff turnover ratio, allowing 

us to retain quality SC APS staff 

and thus better serve the 

vulnerable adults of South 

Carolina

SC APS does not 

have an existing 

relationship 

with the 

Catawba Indian 

Nation

$50,000 to 

enhance and 

support case 

management 

efforts on the 

Catawba 

Reservation

ARPA 1

Project 6

Develop 

partnership with 

Catawba Indian 

Nation

Executed grant 

agreement between 

SC APS Program and 

the Catawba Nation

Catawba Nation 

receives grant funding 

to enhance and 

support case 

management efforts

SCDSS receives grant 

reports and data on 

services provided

Established 

relationship 

between SC APS 

Program and the 

Catawba Indian 

Nation that can 

allow for further 

collaboration

Catawba Nation’s vulnerable 

adults are better served and 

needs are being met 

As the GATE 

Assessment is 

developed 

implementation 

will require 

system and 

policy 

integration and 

training for 

staff

$350,000 to 

implement and 

integrate GATE 

Assessment, 

including 

contractor salary 

and fringe

Partnership with 

University of 

Kentucky to 

implement the 

ARPA 2 

Project 1

Implement an 

Assessment tool 

for SC APS 

adults to 

address needs 

and well-being

A comprehensive 

assessment tool built 

automated in the SC 

APS case management 

system

Cases will be correctly 

assessed, appropriate 

services provided and 

cases will be closed 

10% faster

SC APS staff will be 

able to correctly 

assess and provide 

appropriate services 

for vulnerable 

adults

SC APS will be able to better 

meet the needs of vulnerable 

adults
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 9 

GATE Assessment 

tool

All APS staff will be 

trained on using the 

assessment tool

SC APS staff 

need up-todate relevant 

training

Child Welfare 

attorneys are 

representing 

APS without 

proper APS 

training

$200,000.00 

Training 

curriculum based 

on Professional 

Development 

plans for SC APS 

Staff

Contracted 

Attorney trainer 

who specializes in 

Elder Law and 

Disabilities

ARPA 2

Project 2

APS training for 

staff, including 

Attorneys

Trained SC APS staff 

that is current on 

trends and best 

practices

100% of attorneys 

representing APS 

cases and APS staff 

have appropriate 

training in APS Policy 

and law

SC APS staff will 

have relevant and 

up-to-date training 

Case 

documentation and 

practice will 

improve

APS program has 

appropriately

trained attorneys 

that can better 

represent APS cases 

in court 

SC APS adults consistently

receive the best possible case 

management from staff and 

representation from attorneys 

appropriately trained in APS 

policy and law

There is a lack 

of appropriate 

placements for 

vulnerable 

adults causing 

SC APS staff to 

struggle finding 

placement

$1,004,000

$500K to pay for 

beds, meals, 24/7 

CNAs and services 

for temporary 

supportive 

placement

Partnership with 

Transitions 

Homeless Shelter 

Additional $504K 

to pay for 7 beds, 

ARPA 2

Project 3

Least restrictive 

environment for 

temporary 

emergency/stab

ilization 

placement

Total of eight beds 

(four male and four 

female) will be 

available for SC APS 

Case Managers to 

place vulnerable 

adults under the age 

of 60.

Approximately seven

additional beds in

community placement 

options.

SC APS Staff will 

have short-term 

placement options 

for hard to place 

adults that will 

allow the 

vulnerable adult to 

remain safe while 

further assessments 

are conducted, and 

more appropriate 

long-term 

placements can be 

made

Having appropriate placement 

options for adults will be safer 

and less costly and resource 

draining than motels and leaving 

adults in the emergency 

departments of hospitals 

This option could continue to 

expand to more beds if the 

project is successful
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

meals 24/7 CNAs 

and services in 

nursing homes.

Partnership with 

community 

placement options

Services provided may 

include Medicaid 

Certified Adult 

Daycare, Vocational 

Rehabilitation, CNA 

services and others as 

appropriate

Assisting adults 

with remaining 

safely in their 

homes

$195,989 to cover 

the cost of minor 

modifications to 

homes of 

vulnerable adults

ARPA 2 

Project 4

Home 

Modification

Minor modifications 

can be made to the 

homes of vulnerable 

adults up to $5,000 

(without prior 

approval from ACL)

Number of 

modifications will be 

based on the number 

of applications 

received until funds 

are exhausted

Vulnerable adults 

who own their 

homes may receive 

minor modifications 

to their homes at 

no cost to them 

allowing them to 

remain in their 

home, avoiding 

unnecessary 

placements

While respecting the adult’s right 

to self-determination allowing 

adults to remain safely in their 

home, when appropriate, will be 

less costly and resource draining 

than motels and leaving adults in 

the emergency departments of 

hospitals 

This option could expand to more 

beds if the project is successful

High staff

turnover, high 

stress and low 

wages makes 

retaining and 

hiring SC APS 

staff difficult

$169,200.00 to 

cover the cost of 

bonuses for SC

APS staff

ARPA 2 

Project 5

Bonuses for SC 

APS Staff

Approximately 140 

staff will receive

bonuses of $1,300 

before taxes

Staff bonuses for SC 

APS will increase 

morale

Increased staff morale will 

hopefully, lead to a reduction in 

the staff turnover ratio, allowing 

us to retain quality SC APS staff 

and thus better serve the 

vulnerable adults of South 

Carolina

There is a 

continued need 

for 

collaboration 

$50,000 to 

enhance and 

support case 

management 

ARPA 2

Project 6

Renewal and or 

expansion of SC APS 

and Catawba Indian 

Relationship and 

collaboration 

between SC APS 

and the Catawba 

Catawba Nation’s vulnerable 

adults are better served and 

needs are being met
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 11

between SC 

APS and the 

Catawba Indian 

Nation

efforts on the 

Catawba 

Reservation

Continue 

partnership with 

Catawba Indian 

Nation

Nation grant 

agreement. 

Continuation of data 

and reports on 

services provided

Indian Nation will 

continue

Outdated policy 

manual that 

does not 

include a 

comprehensive 

assessment tool

Inconsistent 

practice and 

documentation

$200K to cover the 

cost of contracting 

with a APS Policy 

consultant

ARPA 2

Project 7

Improve and 

enhance existing 

SC APS Policy 

and Practice 

New SC APS Policy 

New SC APS 

procedures (Work 

Aides)

Staff have 

comprehensive policy 

and procedure 

manual that reflect 

up-to-date practice 

and incorporate 

updated modifications 

in case management 

system

SC APS will have 

policy aligned with 

National Voluntary 

Guidelines for State 

Adult Protective 

Systems

SC APS adults will receive higher 

quality and more consistent case 

management services and SC APS 

will better meet their needs 

Social Security 

and Medicaid 

applications 

need to be 

expedited

$200K for 

contractor to help 

expedite the 

processes

ARPA 2

Project 8

Social Security 

and Medicaid 

application 

assistance

Decrease in the 

amount of processing 

time for applications

Better communication 

between SC APS and 

Social Security and 

Medicaid programs

Adults who qualify 

will receive benefits 

faster

Adults will move to appropriate 

and safer placement quicker

SC APS will receive a cost savings 

that will free up resources to be 

utilized more effectively

SC APS staff 

lack 

appropriate 

equipment to 

$100K to purchase 

printers/scanners, 

and tablets for 

GATE Assessment

ARPA 2

Project 9

All SC APS staff will 

have necessary 

equipment to print,

scan and complete 

Services for SC APS 

adults will become 

more streamlined 

and efficient

The quality and speed of service 

provision for SC APS adults will 

increase 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

conduct work 

virtually and 

remotely

Technology for 

SC APS Staff

assessments from 

remote work place

SC APS began a 

Family Group 

Conferencing 

project to help 

increase family 

engagement 

and identify 

strengths and 

opportunities 

for the adults 

we serve. 

Funding has 

only been 

available for a 

small area of 

the state

$112K to expand 

Family Group 

Conferencing 

statewide 

ARPA 2

Project 10

Expand Family 

Group 

Conference 

project to 

encompass the 

state

Family Group 

Conferencing 

opportunities 

statewide

Additional staff 

person to assist with 

facilitating 

conferences

Increase in the 

number of SC adults 

who can be served 

through Family 

Group Conferencing

Increase in family 

engagement with 

adults we serve

Both SC APS Adults and their 

families will be served with 

better utilization of resources

APS will conference with families 

to keep adults in their homes 

and/or community

SC APS 

struggles to 

attract and hire 

qualified staff 

$275,000 to 

contract with a 

company to help 

us create a 

recruitment 

campaign and to 

offer sign on 

bonuses to 

graduates with 

relevant degrees

ARPA 2

Project 11

Initiate a 

Recruitment 

Campaign to 

attract and hire 

qualified staff

Solid recruitment 

campaign, including 

brochures, talking 

points, and social 

media messages

Staff hired with sign 

on bonuses

SC APS Program will 

have qualified staff 

in vacant positions

Staff turnover will 

reduce

SC APS adults will be better 

served due to an increase in staff 

morale
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 13

Budget / Spending Plan for ARPA funds – Semi-annually for 3 to 5 years

Budget/Spending Plan will be used to enhance, improve, and expand the ability of APS workers to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and 

exploitation. Be sure to use separate line items for each major improvement project.

Operational Plan Submission due by January 31, 2022. 

ARPA 1- First Grant Allocation - August 2021 - September 2023

Description 2022 

Period 1

2022 

Period 2

2023 

Period 1

2023 

Period 2 Total

Project 1

Improve and 

Enhance 

existing APS 

processes $140,610.00 $140,610.00 $99,187.00 $49,593.00

$430,000.00

Project 2

APS Training 

for Attorneys $32,700.00 $32,700.00 $23,067.00 $11,533.00

$100,000.00

Project 3

Temporary 

Emergency/ 

Stabilization 

Placement $163,500.00 $163,500.00 $115,335.00 $57,665.00

$500,000.00

Project 4

Home 

Modifications $38,204.00 $38,204.00 $29,949.00 $10,474.00

$116,831.00

Project 5

Bonuses for 

APS Staff $55,328.00 $55,328.00 $39,029.00 $19,515.00

$169,200.00

Project 6

Catawba 

Nation Grant $16,350.00 $16,350.00 $11,535.00 5,765.00

$50,000.00

Total $446,692.00 $446,692.00 $318,102.00 $154,545.00 $1,366,031.00
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 14

ARPA 2- Second Grant Allocation - August 2022 September 2024 

Description

2023 - Period 1

(8 months)

2023 - Period 2

(6 months)

2024 - Period 1

(6 months)

2024 - Period 2

(6 months) Total

Project 1

Improve and Enhance 

existing APS processes $107,660.00 $80,780.00 $80,780.00 $80,780.00 $350,000.00

Project 2

APS Training for 

Attorneys $61,520.00 $46,160.00 $46,160.00 $46,160.00 $200,000.00

Project 3

Temporary Emergency/ 

Stabilization Placement $308,831.00 $231,723.00 $231,723.00 $231,723.00

$1,004,000.00

Project 4 Home Modifications $60,287.00 $45,234.00 $45,234.00 $45,234.00 $195,989.00

Project 5 Bonuses for APS Staff $52,047.00 $39,051.00 $39,051.00 $39,051.00 $169,200.00

Project 6 Catawba Nation Grant $15,380.00 $11,540.00 $11,540.00 $11,540.00 $50,000.00

Project 7

Improve and enhance 

existing SC APS Policy 

and Practice $61,520.00 $46,160.00 $46,160.00 $46,160.00 $200,000.00

Project 8

Social Security and 

Medicaid application 

assistance $61,520.00 $46,160.00 $46,160.00 $46,160.00 $200,000.00

Project 9

Technology for SC APS 

Staff $30,760.00 $23,080.00 $23,080.00 $23,080.00 $100,000.00

Project 10

Expand Family Group 

Conference project to 

encompass the entire 

state $34,450.00 $25,850.00 $25,850.00 $25,850.00 $112,000.00

Project 11

Initiate a Recruitment 

Campaign to attract and 

hire qualified staff $84,590.00 $63,470.00 $63,470.00 $63,470.00 $275,000.00

Total $878,565.00 $659,208.00 $659,208.00 $659,208.00 $2,856,189.00

Summary of ARPA 1 + ARPA 2 Expense
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 15

2022 Period 1 2022 Period 2 2023 Period 1 2023 Period 2 2024 Period 1 2024 Period 2 Total

Summary $446,692.00 $446,692.00 $1,196,667.00 $813,753.00 $659,208.00 $659,208.00 $4,222,220