Item Description:
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Amd 1 to Agmt PR00004614 with CornerHouse Interagency Child Abuse Evaluation Center to conduct interviews of children and vulnerable adults involved in or witnessed abuse or maltreatment, ext end date 12/31/26 and incr NTE by $15,140 for new total NTE of $40,647
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00004614 with CornerHouse Interagency Child Abuse Evaluation Center to conduct interviews of children and vulnerable adults involved in or witnessed abuse or maltreatment, extending the contract through December 31, 2026 and increasing the not to exceed amount by $15,140 for a new total not to exceed amount of $40,647 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendment on behalf of the County; and that the Controller be authorized to disperse the funds as directed.
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Background:
CornerHouse Interagency Child Abuse Evaluation Center (Cornerhouse) was founded in 1989 to address the needs of children who are victims of sexual abuse and adults in vulnerable situations, referred to Hennepin County Child Protection and the Minneapolis Police Department. The program:
• Provides prompt, objective, culturally sensitive, and age-appropriate forensic interviews and medical examinations conducted by experienced professionals.
• Centralizes and limits the number of interviews to minimize trauma for individuals and creates a child-friendly environment for families.
• Coordinates investigations among agencies mandated to respond to child sexual abuse and offers expert witness consultation and testimony for cases prosecuted by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO).
These services were renewed in a separate agreement referenced in Board Resolution 25-0492 between HCAO and Cornerhouse for Agreement PR00002848.
CornerHouse has been jointly sponsored by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Hennepin Healthcare, the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center. An interagency case team comprised of the investigating police officers, prosecutors, examining pediatricians and interviewers review the completed interviews and coordinate the investigation and follow-up activities.
This resolution relates to a separate agreement the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has with Cornerhouse. Effective January 1, 2023, the HCSO entered into Agreement PR00004614 with CornerHouse. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Cornerhouse provides HCSO services including forensic interviews of children, adolescents under eighteen, and adults in vulnerable circumstances who report or witness abuse or maltreatment, including, without limitation, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, and endangerment.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval