DPSS Annual Report 24_25 FLIP v16_compressed

Adult Services Division

APS Social Worker of the Year

Cindy Lopez Brings Heart to Adult Protective Services

With more than 15 years serving chil dren, families and adults, Cindy Lopez is recognized by her colleagues and super visors as a steady, compassionate and highly skilled member of the Adult Pro tective Services (APS) team. “I take great pride in seeing the outcomes of the work we do,” said Lopez, the APS Social Worker of the Year. “Being able to see how we make a difference, even if it’s small, gives me great pleasure.” Lopez’s career began supporting chil dren and families before moving into Adult Services, a transition she em braced for the opportunity to work more directly with at-risk adults. APS social workers respond to reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation in-volv ing dependent adults (age 18–59 who are disabled) and seniors (age 60 and older). They collaborate with health, law enforcement and community partners to navigate complex cases and meet cli ents wherever they are, including private homes, hotels, hospitals and encamp ments, to link at-risk adults to resources and protect the vulnerable from physi cal, emotional and financial abuse. Lopez’s passion is rooted in the expe riences of her own family. Her grand mother had Alzheimer’s. She remem bers how the lack of information and support strained her family. “That lack of awareness made everything harder,” she said. “If my grandparents were still here, I would want them to have the same resources I now help provide to at-risk adults.” Supervisors describe Lopez as a reliable team member whose knowledge and positive outlook help ensure thorough, effective investigations. She collabo rates with the Elder Abuse Forensic Cen ter (EAFC) and partners with the Inten

sive Stabilization Unit (ISU) on her most complex cases, demonstrating her com mitment to coordinated care for clients. Lopez also demonstrates her commit ment to teamwork by volunteering to complete courtesy 30-day visits for her co-workers if she is visiting the same area. She has also mentored interns, while maintaining a full caseload and strong performance metrics.

Lopez also serves on the Regional Mo rale Committee, assisting with fundrais ers and events. Her colleagues in Region 7 say her consistent willingness to con tribute makes her an asset to the APS program and its many clients. “Sometimes our seniors do not know what they are entitled to or may feel em barrassed to apply for benefits,” Lopez said. “That is where we come in, to put them at ease.”

APS Regional Social Workers of the Year Cynthia Lopanec............................................................................. Region 1 Rochiele Davis.................................................................................Region 2 Maria Lizarraga............................................................................... Region 3 Dianet Penilla..................................................................................Region 4 Sandy Meza................................................................................... Region 5 Diane Wright.................................................................................. Region 6 Edgar Castro...................Region 8, Crisis Response and Intervention Services Chalona Cotton.................................................Central Intake Center/HOME Fabiola Miranda.................................................. Specialized Services Region

Riverside County Department of Public Social Services | Annual Report 2024 - 2025

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