The core mission of the Research & Clinical Practice Program is to improve the safe and healthy adjustment of youth with sexual behavior problems by informing and applying best practice methods for effective assessment, treatment and risk management.

The JRI Research and Clinical Practice Program (RCPP) was originally established in 2001 to evaluate Massachusetts Department of Social Service (DSS) Assessment for Safe and Appropriate Placement (ASAP) program. This initial research project evolved into on-going programmatic effort funded by DSS and the National Institute of Justice to examine issues related to the treatment needs and risk management of sexually inappropriate children and adolescents. We routinely solicit state and federal funds to support a variety of research projects in the areas of child welfare, juvenile justice and adult offenders.

Informed by our research on over 800 sexually inappropriate youths identified by DSS, we have developed tailored treatment services aimed at intervening with children and youth who display sexually inappropriate behavior. Our approach emphasizes an integration of needs assessment, treatment and risk management. Identification of critical needs and risk factors is accomplished through a comprehensive assessment of the child, his/her biological, foster or adoptive family and other support systems. The therapeutic approach is multi-modal and combines cognitive-behavioral treatment, dialectic behavioral therapy, trauma interventions and neurological retraining. The overall goal is to eliminate sexually coercive/aggressive conduct while helping children and adolescents develop healthy and appropriate behaviors, and interpersonal functioning.

Our staff combines decades of clinical, forensic, and research experience with sexually coercive and/or aggressive children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Barbara Schwartz consults on the planning and provision of treatment for RCPP. Her experience and expertise in providing treatment services for sexually abusive youth has for years emphasized the effective integration of risk and needs assessment and a continuum of treatment and risk management services. Dr. Prentky and his colleagues provide training and supervision in the use of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II for state agencies and private providers, as well as a wide range of other training topics.

The RCPP’s clinical and forensic services include:

• Risk and Needs Assessments
• Comprehensive Risk Assessments
• Treatment and Risk Management Planning
• Forensic Assessments
• Treatment (Group, Individual & Family)
• J-SOAP-II Implementation Training
• J-SOAP-II Supervision

For more information on fees, scheduling, and programmatic issues please contact apimental@ jri.org.

Research & Clinical Practice Program Contact Information

Research & Clinical Practice Program
63 Main Street
Suite 6
Bridgewater, MA 02324
Phone: (508) 697-2744
Fax: (508) 697-2738 rccpp @jri.org

Principal Staff
Robert Prentky, Ph.D
Ann Pimental, MSCJ/MHC
Deborah Cavanaugh, MA
Gary Dube, Ph.D.

Consultant Staff
Ann Wolbert Burgess, DNSc, APRN
Martin Kafka, MD
Austin Lee, Ph.D.
Barbara Schwartz, Ph.D