The Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts, an initiative of the Executive Office of the Massachusetts Trial Court, aims to bring innovative, evidence-based, and equitable interventions to Specialty Courts and related settings.
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In the Spotlight
Outcomes by Design
Unlocking Treatment Court Results Through Standards of Practice
Outcomes By Design: Unlocking Treatment Court Results Through Standards of Practice is an in-person training series brought to you in your geographic area by the Executive Office of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Specialty Courts Department and the Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts. The series is designed to deepen understanding of best practices across all treatment court roles. Recognizing that shared learning and continuous improvement are at the heart of effective operations, this series brings practitioners in the same geographic areas together to learn, reflect, and grow.
The series will run continuously on a Fall (October-December) and Spring (April-June) cycle. Treatment Courts within a geographic area will be invited to attend in-person trainings twice per year, with each session highlighting specific standards of practice. The Fall 2025 training will focus on responding to goal infractions and recognizing achievements that support participant success.
Trial Court employees will receive training credits for participation. Please follow the Trial Court Policy for obtaining manager approval to attend.
Save the date
Central Area Training
October 6, 2025 | 9:30am-3:00pm
Location: Massachusetts Probation Service Training & Operations Center
55 Green Street, Clinton, MA
Metro Boston Area Training
October 27, 2025 | 9:30am-3:00pm
Location: MA Probation Service, McCormack Building
1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA
Northeastern Area Training
October 31, 2025 | 9:30am-3:00pm
Location: Andover Police Department
32 N. Main Street, Andover, MA
Western Area Training
November 3, 2025 | 9:30am-3:00pm
Location: Smith College Conference Center – Paradise Conference Room
49 College Lane, Northampton, MA
Southeastern Area Training
November 7, 2025 | 9:30am-3:00pm
Location: Plymouth Jury Pool Room, Plymouth Court Complex
52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA
Formal invitation and event registration to follow.
Pre-Training Learning
Prior to the Fall 2025 training, please register and complete the following online trainings:
Incentives, Sanctions & Service Adjustments: Part 1
Incentives, Sanctions & Service Adjustments: Part 2
All Rise Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards
The All Rise Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards provide a national, evidence-based framework for the design, implementation, and operation of effective treatment court programs. Developed through over two decades of multidisciplinary research in criminology, behavioral health, and treatment court outcomes, these standards translate best practice into actionable guidance aimed at enhancing participant success, public safety, and improving outcomes across all treatment court models.
These best practice standards apply broadly to adult drug courts, mental health courts, veteran treatment courts, co-occurring courts, family treatment courts, reentry courts, DWI courts, and tribal healing to wellness courts. As a dynamic guide, the standards are periodically reviewed and revised to reflect emerging trends, ensuring that treatment courts remain effective, equitable, and adaptable.
To explore the full standards, click the link below:
All Rise Best Practice Standards
What You Need to Know About Xylazine
Joseph Sawicki, RPh, PharmD
This one-page brief is intended to provide information about Xylazine. Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative that acts as a muscle relaxant and analgesic agent used in veterinary medicine. It is added to street opioids to enhance and prolong their euphoric effects. Long-term effects include severe skin wounds that appear over the body (not just at injection sites) and worsen very quickly.
Register for our Practitioner Portal to access a range of trainings, tools, resources, and technical assistance. Once registered, explore our comprehensive one-page brief and handout on Xylazine effects and management, along with many other essential topic areas related to Specialty Courts.
Helen Harberts, MA, JD
Faculty, National Drug Court Institute, National Center for DWI Courts,
Description:
This online course will focus on working with justice involved people who use methamphetamine. Working with this population can be confusing for professionals, as methamphetamine use can present some unique issues and challenges. People who use methamphetamine may display behaviors that are easily misinterpreted as resistance or defiance. Court, treatment, and case outcomes improve when supervision, treatment, counsel, social services, health staff, and Court personnel know what to look for, what to expect, and how to address challenges. This training is hosted by Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts, and funded by the Executive Office of The Massachusetts Trial Court.
Access the Training:
Per the trainer’s request, access this training and supporting materials by registering for the Practitioner Portal.
Register – Practitioner Portal
