What is the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Series?
Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) is a framework that draws from human service delivery and core clinical principles to guide the assessment, case management, and rehabilitation of persons involved in the justice system. RNR is built upon basic tenets that programs, services, and interventions delivered to people involved with the justice system should be: (1) Delivered with respect for the person, (2) Based upon psychological theory and empirical evidence, and (3) Sanctions alone are unlikely to produce reductions in offending behavior. Research demonstrates that reoffending outcomes can be improved when practitioners align programs and practices with three principles: Risk, Need, and Responsivity.
The online enduring courses for the RNR series is designed and facilitated by Dara Drawbridge, Ph.D. The live RNR series trainings are facilitated by Dara Drawbridge and Mike Coelho.
Dara Drawbridge, Ph.D.
Dara C. Drawbridge, Ph.D. is a criminologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Department of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts. Dr. Drawbridge's research focuses on the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health and implementation of risk-need-responsivity.
Mike Coelho, MPA
Online Courses and Previous Trainings
RNR: The Basics for Behavioral Health Providers
Dara Drawbridge, Ph.D.
Designed for court clinicians and treatment providers working with Specialty Courts (e.g., Drug Courts, Veteran Treatment Courts), this course provides a basic introduction to RNR principles and practices including the meaning of risk levels, kinds of conditions that co-occur with substance use disorders and drive crime (i.e., criminogenic needs), and factors that affect access and engagement in treatment and rehabilitative programs.
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RNR: Mapping RNR to the MA Drug Court Model
Dara Drawbridge, Ph.D.
Designed for specialty court clinicians. This training provides an overview of how RNR maps onto NADCP Best Practice Standards and the Massachusetts Drug Court model and clinician’s role in these processes. Provides information on the Office of Community Corrections as a major provider of treatment and rehabilitative services targeting conditions that co-occur with substance use disorders and drive offending behavior.
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RNR Discussion Session I: Risk-Need-Responsivity in Recovery Courts - Building a Shared Understanding to Foster Change
Dara Drawbridge, Ph.D.
Mike Coelho, MPA
A discussion of MA Probation Service orientation and initiatives to promote positive behavioral change. This discussion is intended to develop a shared understanding of shifts in our system's orientation - from supervision/enforcement focus to supervision with treatment and rehabilitation. This session also includes a focused discussion on clinician's role in RNR implementation and real-life challenges encountered in the field. Clinicians will be able to bring RNR-related, real life challenges to their work and engage in a discussion of how to navigate challenges.
Training not recorded
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RNR Discussion Session II: Risk-Need-Responsivity in Recovery Courts - Case Study
Dara Drawbridge, Ph.D.
Mike Coelho, MPA
Real life case studies will be presented to clinicians. Case studies will be informed by the challenges discussed in Session III (Building a Shared Understanding to Foster Change) and discussions with clinicians in the field. Clinicians will have an opportunity to use and apply the knowledge and skills gained in online trainings and the RNR Discussion Session I.
Training not recorded