CornerHouse understands that trauma and abuse disclosures impact the entire family system. These events are stressful and overwhelming, and families need additional layers of support. All caregivers who come with an individual to a forensic interview are offered the opportunity to work with an advocate ongoing, or after the day of the interview. Working with an advocate is completely free and voluntary.

Advocates help with many different areas. These include:

  • Basic Needs: includes referrals to state assistance programs (SNAP, PSOP, Coordinated Entry, etc.), food shelf information, emergency shelter referrals, subsidized housing help, utility assistance, healthcare assistance, and more

  • Safety Needs: includes Safe at Home application assistance, safety planning, domestic violence shelter referrals, security camera assistance, restraining order referrals, and more

  • Legal Needs: includes assistance with the criminal justice and/or child protection system, help getting case updates, help understanding legal processes/terminology, attending court proceedings, assistance obtaining family court representation, and more

  • Healing Needs: includes referrals for child and adult therapy, support group referrals, education on how to support your child, and more

Coordinated Response

The Children’s Advocacy Center model brings together a multidisciplinary team of professionals to create a coordinated response to child abuse. Prosecutors and investigators watch the interview live from another room via closed circuit television.

This team along with medical professionals and advocates work together to identify next steps. This process prevents individuals from sharing reports of abuse to other professionals limiting further trauma while connecting them to a broad array of services to encourage stability and healing.

word advocacy made with wood building blocks

CornerHouse advocates follow-up with caregivers every couple of weeks until the caregiver determines they have what they need. Any family who has been to CornerHouse can access working with an advocate at any time, even if they haven’t been to CornerHouse in years.

While ongoing services are only offered to families who have been to CornerHouse for a forensic interview, any person in the community can call and speak to an advocate through our community call line