The Link looks to operate in the black as demand for services grows

On one level, The Link crisis triage center has been “a total home run,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said.

On another, the center at 123 N. Dakota Ave. operates with a loss each year and isn’t on a path yet to financial stability or sustainability.

“We operate in the red,” TenHaken said. “We use either grants we try and get, we’re eating up some reserves and other contributions, so we have a slow kind of burn down of cash at The Link right now.”

Jason Lemke was brought in late last year to try to shift the operation into positive financial territory. The newly hired Link project director has 25 years of experience in building community partnerships, fundraising and organizational development, administration and management. 

He most recently served as director of donor relations at LSS of South Dakota and as chief development officer at The Compass Center.

“The Link fills an important gap in the community and in the … continuum of care for these individuals we’re seeing come through our doors,” he said.

In 2025, that totaled 3,630 individuals who received triage services, an increase of 258 people from 2024.

Since the Link opened, it has served 16,751 individuals — many multiple times.

“They’ve increased as our community has grown,” TenHaken said. “As the community grow, so does the people who experience addiction challenges.”

The Link was founded in 2021 as a collaborative effort between the city of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, Avera Health and Sanford Health. Avera has an agreement to operate it.

Lemke’s role is designed to help “get The Link on some solid financial ground,” TenHaken said, adding that will allow the founding partners to fill their board of directors seats with people who can help more on the operational side of the organization — those who work regularly with the population served.

He’s hopeful state grants related to opioid settlements will contribute to The Link as they have previously.

“We’re serving people from across the state that end up in Sioux Falls dealing with addiction challenges,” TenHaken said. “We know our partners at the state understand that.”

Compounding the challenge: The Link isn’t necessarily supported by the community of residents it most serves, TenHaken said.

“We don’t talk about it enough: We have to acknowledge the fact that we are losing the war on addiction with our Native American community in this city,” he said. “No one wants to talk about it. … There’s no Native American groups, organizations, involved in this work. We have to come face-to-face with the fact that a vast majority of who we’re seeing at The Link are Native American. We have to confront this challenge because we continue to sweep it under the rug in our community. So I’m calling on the state, I’m calling on the Legislature, I’m calling on the tribes. What we’ve done to our Native brothers and sisters is not good, and it’s tough to see.”

That could mean “more appropriate care rooted in Native traditions” or strengthening relationships with tribes to provide some of the needed care, he said.

“We have to continue to address that and work through that.”

Last year, more than 2,000 individuals who sought assistance at The Link self-reported that they otherwise would not have sought help elsewhere.

Services at The Link ended up avoiding 943 jail bookings, reducing strain on the Minnehaha County Jail.

That builds on a trend since the facility opened in 2021. “You can see a pretty stark and direct correlation,” Lemke said.

There were 689 referrals from hospital emergency departments last year, freeing up beds for other patients.

Seven in 10 people served at The Link were experiencing homelessness.

“The Link is critical in supporting these individuals within the community and being part of a network of services … to make sure these folks don’t fall through the cracks,” Lemke said.

While 40 percent of people are brought to The Link by law enforcement, 30 percent walk in on their own. Others are referred from hospitals or brought privately.

“The Link was designed not to be a destination for these folks but to be a starting point and entry door … to that path of stabilization and ultimately recovery,” Lemke said, adding that the arrival numbers demonstrate the building is in the right location.

“I think the location is exactly where it should be … accessible for a lot of the population to walk up and access services whenever they need them,” he said. “That also provides good access for our law enforcement partners.”

Last year, The Link referred 157 people to inpatient treatment by Southeastern Behavioral HealthCare, which partners with The Link to conduct all substance use and mental health assessments for individuals seeking help.  

“Each person is at a different point in that journey,” Lemke said.

Additionally in 2025, The Link received its third accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Surveyors praised the strong engagement of community partners, including the city, county, law enforcement and Southeastern Behavioral HealthCare, city leaders said.

The Link is open 24 hours a day and walk-ins are welcome. For information, call 605-275-1000, or visit linksf.org.