MCAT Program Training Subscription – Business Plan (9/36) (Juvenile)

Mental Competency Restoration Training Program

The Mental Competency Assessment and Training (MCAT) Program is a structured, four-phase competency training program for juveniles and adults who have been found to be incompetent to stand trial (IST). The MCAT Program provides agencies with comprehensive materials to support clients in building the knowledge and rational understanding required to be competent, equipping individuals with the skills necessary to understand proceedings and to assist counsel in a rational manner so their right to a fair and speedy trial is not jeopardized. 

The MCAT Program is empirically informed and built from case law, statutes, professional standards, and research. All four phases align with the Dusky (Dusky v. United States, 1960) competency standards and related authority, targeting both broad and specific competencies necessary to work with counsel and navigate court processes.

The 4-Phase MCAT restoration program is multimodal so clients gain both receptive knowledge and expressive knowledge. Within each phase, there are lesson plans, activities, and other training features (e.g., flashcards, interactive software, digital presentations, etc.) that enhance a trainer’s ability to teach the legal concepts and information in a linear and standardized fashion that is easy to understand and utilize.

Tele-assessment & E-learning Access Guide: The MCAT Program can be utilized both in person and electronically. Click here to learn more about effectively utilizing this program in e-learning settings!

Formats Available: Digital

Compare MCAT Program Training Plans!

Explore different training plans, features, and pricing!

Additional Information

Purpose

The Mental Competency Assessment & Training (MCAT) Program Training Subscription equips agencies with comprehensive resources to implement successful competency restoration programs for justice-involved juveniles and adults. The evidence-based curriculum ensures organizations can independently deliver effective interventions while maintaining program reliability and quality standards.

Training subscriptions include the training curriculum, interactive digital activities, and other essential materials supporting both in-person and remote training formats. By subscribing to the MCAT Program Training Plan, agencies gain access to the tools needed to facilitate court-readiness and competency restoration, meeting both legal and clinical requirements with confidence.

Staff Access & Client Enrollment

  • Staff Access
    • Number of authorized users based on chosen subscription plan
    • Additional staff access available through plan upgrades
    • Option to add MCES/J-MCES Evaluator Subscription (requires qualified licensed evaluator)
  • Client Enrollment
    • Options for Juvenile and/or Adult Training Plans  
    • Flexible client limits based on chosen plan
    • Plan upgrades available to accommodate agency’s expanding population

Target Population

  • Age Groups
    • Adult Program (utilized with adults and juveniles tried as an adult through a transfer/waiver/certification
    • Juvenile Program (utilized with juveniles and juveniles who turn 18 while under juvenile court jurisdiction if their case remains in juvenile court)
  • All Genders
  • Program Eligibility
    • Individuals ordered by the court to receive competency restoration services
    • Individuals found incompetent to stand trial (IST)

Normed Populations

  • Clinical Population
    • Psychiatric disorders
    • Developmental disabilities
    • Dual diagnoses
    • Juvenile developmental immaturity
  • Justice System Demographics
    • Juvenile court population
    • Adult criminal court population

Digital Presentation Resources

  • Core Curriculum Materials
    • MCAT Program Adult Curriculum – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    • MCAT Program Juvenile Curriculum – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    • MCAT Program Adult Workbook – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    • MCAT Program Juvenile Workbook – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
  • Interactive Learning Tools
    • Interactive Lesson Plans & Activities 
    • Ladder Activities: Interactive Learning Tool
    • Witness Box Activities: Interactive Learning Tool
    • Competency Restoration Legal Photos 
    • Competency Restoration Flashcards
    • Fill-in-The Blank Activities
    • Word Search Activities
    • Crossword Puzzles
    • Case Closed: Interactive Digital Board Game
    • Guided Audio Activities
  • Progress Monitoring
    • Client Progress & Attendance Log Tool
  • E-Learning: Staff Training
    • MCAT Program Manual

E-learning Access Compatible

All training material is provided electronically. Note: A separate preferred secure video conferencing platform for remote delivery is required.

Summary

The Mental Competency Assessment & Training (MCAT) Program Training Subscription equips agencies with comprehensive resources to deliver successful competency restoration services for both juvenile and adult justice system participants. The MCAT Program has been developed and refined since 2007 to support competency to stand trial services for juveniles and adults, incorporating structured curricula and interactive digital tools for effective competency restoration.

The program integrates seamlessly with the Mental Competency Evaluation Scale (MCES) and Juvenile Mental Competency Evaluation Scale (J-MCES), enabling qualified professionals using these validated tools to assess and track client progress throughout the restoration process within the MCAT Program.

Accepted in thousands of legal proceedings, the MCAT Program is rooted in extensive research, psychometric standardization, and Supreme Court rulings such as the Dusky standard (Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402 (1960)), providing a robust framework for restoring competency to stand trial in court proceedings.

4 Phases of Competency

At the heart of the MCAT Program is the four phases of competency, designed to provide a systematic and comprehensive approach to assessing and enhancing the mental competency of clients. Digital lesson plans and materials provide the necessary information to successfully teach the required court competency processes and procedures for those clients under the agency’s care.

  • Phase 1 – General Legal Knowledge: Clients receive education on basic legal concepts and courtroom procedures, allowing them to better understand the legal process, their role in the proceedings, and the roles of the courtroom personnel.
  • Phase 2 – Tolerating Stress and Behavior/Conduct: Clients learn to manage emotional responses, maintain appropriate behavior and etiquette, as well as develop essential stress management coping strategies during legal proceedings.
  • Phase 3 – Working with an Attorney: Clients develop effective communication and collaboration skills with legal counsel, assisting with active contribution to their defense strategy.
  • Phase 4 – Ability to Consult with Counsel/Case Specific: Clients enhance their understanding of specific case details and learn to work productively with counsel on case-related matters.

Features

  • Digital Access to a Comprehensive Curriculum
    The structured curriculum is built on four key content areas: General Legal Knowledge, Tolerating Stress and Behavior/Conduct, Working with an Attorney, and Ability to Consult with Counsel/Case Specific.
  • Extensive Lesson Plans
    Each content area of the MCAT Program curriculum contains lesson plans designed to restore competency through multiple structured sections.

    • Objective: Summary of key concepts for client mastery by lesson completion
    • Review Concepts: Reinforcement of previous concepts essential for current lesson comprehension
    • Concepts: Introduction and explanation of key terms and principles, supported by examples and discussion questions to deepen understanding
    • Critical Thinking and Rational Understanding: Two-part exercises (Mini-Stories and Mini-Vignettes) designed to develop critical thinking and practical application of learned concepts
    • Vignettes: Detailed scenarios that challenge clients to apply their knowledge, complete with explanations and rationale for correct responses
    • Advanced Information: Optional supplemental content for clients requiring or seeking more detailed understanding
    • Key Terms Two-tiered terminology reference:
      • Standard terms essential for basic comprehension
      • Advanced terms for enhanced understanding
  • Streamlined Training with Real-Time Progress Monitoring
    Integrated Client Progress & Attendance Log monitors client progression and attendance for court reporting.
  • Remote-Friendly Learning
    All MCAT Program components - curriculum, visual aids, and interactive activities - are fully optimized for digital delivery, enabling flexible implementation in both remote and in-person settings.
  • Expressive and Receptive Learning
    The MCAT Program Dual-learning approach combines:

    • Expressive Learning: Open-ended questions that assess clients' ability to articulate understanding in their own words.
    • Receptive Learning: Multiple-choice questions that measure recognition and recall of key concepts.

Benefits

Core Training Benefits

  • Complete Competency Restoration Program
    The Mental Competency Assessment and Training (MCAT) Program offers materials and services for both competency to stand trial assessments and training for both juveniles and adults.
  • Development & Legal Foundations
    The MCAT Program is empirically informed and built from case law, statutes, professional standards, and research. All four phases align with the Dusky (Dusky v. United States, 1960) competency standards and related authority, targeting both broad and specific competencies necessary to work with counsel and navigate court processes.
  • Four-phase curriculum
    The program is divided into four phases, which covers case law and other legal standards (e.g., Dusky v. U.S., 1960; Drope v. Missouri, 1975; In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 1967): Phase 1 – General Legal Knowledge, Phase 2 – Tolerating Stress and Behavior/Conduct, Phase 3 – Working with an Attorney, and Phase 4 – Ability to Consult with Counsel/Case Specific.
  • Multiple Training Features
    Within each phase, lesson plans, activities, and various other training features are provided to enhance a trainer's ability to teach legal concepts and information. These features, such as flashcards, interactive software, and digital presentations, facilitate a linear, standardized approach to instruction that is easy to understand and utilize.
  • Comprehensive Lesson Plans
    The MCAT Program curriculum uses lesson plans composed of multiple structured sections designed to rebuild competency including objectives, review concepts, new concepts, critical thinking and rational understanding, vignettes, key terms, and review questions.
  • Expressive and Receptive Learning
    The MCAT Program employs a dual-learning approach that combines both expressive and receptive learning to provide a comprehensive educational experience. Expressive learning involves open-ended questions designed to assess a client's ability to articulate their understanding of complex topics in their own words. Receptive learning utilizes multiple-choice questions to effectively measure the recognition and recall of key concepts. This integrated method ensures that participants are not only able to recognize information but also confidently explain and apply it.
  • Flexible Delivery Method
    All components, including curriculum, visual aids, and interactive activities, are optimized for digital delivery, allowing flexible implementation whether learning remotely or in person.
  • Progress Monitoring
    An MCAT Program monitoring tool records lesson progress, program progress, and attendance. A key design component of this tool is to monitor client progress by projecting the client’s restoration timeline, providing courts and agencies with a clear estimate of when competency restoration may be achieved.
  • Proven Program Effectiveness
    Psychometric data demonstrates MCAT Program effectiveness through statistically significant measures.

Competency Assessment Integration Benefits

  • Measure Progress
    The MCES and J-MCES competency to stand trial assessments can be utilized within the MCAT Program to determine baseline competency, measure progress through the MCAT Program's four phases, and, at the completion of the program, to ensure the knowledge and skills necessary to regain competency to stand trial were acquired.
  • Empirically Founded
    The MCES and J-MCES assessments are grounded in Supreme Court case law standards, including the Dusky standard (1960), and are supported by extensive professional research in competency restoration.
  • Curriculum and Competency Assessment Alignment
    The structure of the MCES and J-MCES directly corresponds with MCAT Program curriculum, creating a seamless integration between training and assessment. This alignment ensures a cohesive and comprehensive approach that meets both legal and clinical standards for competency restoration.

Professional Support Benefits

  • Professional Development
    Access discounted American Psychological Assessment (APA)-accredited CE credits through the MCAT Program competency restoration training courses. Comprehensive training enhances staff expertise in evidence-based competency restoration and assessment methodologies.
  • Website Directory Listing
    An optional listing in the online directory for MCAT Program Training providers enables referral sources to locate agencies offering evidence-based MCAT Program competency restoration services.
  • Progress Monitoring and Reporting
    Built-in tracking tools provide clear documentation of participant progress and attendance, supporting court reporting requirements and program accountability.

Value-Added Benefits

  • Multi-User Capability
    The platform provides the ability to streamline management by adding users and incorporating Evaluator Subscriptions under a single umbrella.
  • Cost-Effective Solution
    Digital delivery and comprehensive materials reduce the need for additional resource development, while flexible implementation options maximize staff efficiency.

Additional Available Services

  • MCAT Program Psychometric Data Storage Subscription and MCAT Program Psychometric Data Analytics
    Access to advanced data storage and analytic services to support evidence-based decision-making is available. The MCAT Program Psychometric Data Storage Subscription allows agencies who have both a Training Plan and an Evaluator Subscription to store their psychometric data, while the MCAT Program Psychometric Data Analytics option allows those agencies to provide demographic and assessment variables they wish to be analyzed. Data analytics can range from basic summaries to advanced analyses. 

Comparison of MCAT Program Training Plans

Mental Competency Assessment & Training (MCAT) Program Training Plans

  • Standard, Business, and Enterprise Plans
    Select from Standard, Business, or Enterprise plans based on your agency's user and client capacity needs. Each plan provides agencies with comprehensive training materials and resources needed to independently run a successful competency restoration program, with the choice of either juvenile or adult curriculum access.
  • Plus Upgrade Option
    Select or upgrade to a Plus Plan with any subscription tier (Standard, Business, or Enterprise) to access both juvenile and adult curricula, saving compared to purchasing separately. This comprehensive access enables agencies to deliver competency restoration services across both justice system populations.
Plan TypePopulation AccessDescription
Standard, Business, or EnterpriseChoose Juvenile or Adult curriculumSelect your base plan tier based on user and client capacity needs, with access to either juvenile or adult curriculum.
Select a Plus Plan
(Available for all plan tiers)
Both Juvenile and Adult curriculaChoose or upgrade any plan to access both curricula and save compared to purchasing separately. Available for Standard, Business, and Enterprise plans.

Select your base plan (Standard, Business, or Enterprise) based on user and client capacity needs. Select a Plus Plan for access to both juvenile and adult curricula. Compare Training Plans

Looking for alternatives to a training subscription?

  • MCAT Program - Full Service (Northern California) Psychwest provides direct competency restoration training services to agencies in some Northern California areas. The full-service program focuses on providing personalized training to ensure clients understand the legal process and can effectively participate in their defense. MCAT Program – Full Service
  • Remote Services Virtual competency restoration training services are available nationwide through secure electronic platforms.
  • Professional Directory Find competency restoration providers in your area through our searchable directory of professionals and agencies. Filter by state and service type to locate providers near you. Listings are self-reported; inclusion is not a Psychwest endorsement. Professional Directory

Staff Access & Client Enrollment

  • Staff Access
    • Number of authorized users based on chosen subscription plan
    • Additional staff access available through plan upgrades
    • Option to add MCES/J-MCES Evaluator Subscription (requires qualified licensed evaluator)
  • Client Enrollment
    • Options for Juvenile and/or Adult Training Plans
    • Flexible client limits based on chosen plan
    • Plan upgrades available to accommodate agency’s expanding population

Digital Learning Resources

MCAT Program Core Curriculum

  • MCAT Program Juvenile Curriculum – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    A comprehensive curriculum containing juvenile justice system terms and process. The curriculum is based on four key content areas: General Legal Knowledge, Tolerating Stress and Behavior/Conduct, Working with an Attorney, and Ability to Consult with Counsel/Case Specific. Within each content area of the curriculum, there are lesson plans that contain the concepts that assist in restoring the client to competency.
  • MCAT Program Adult Curriculum – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    A comprehensive curriculum containing adult justice system terms and process. The curriculum is based on four key content areas: General Legal Knowledge, Tolerating Stress and Behavior/Conduct, Working with an Attorney, and Ability to Consult with Counsel, Case Specific. Within each content area of the curriculum, there are lesson plans that contain the concepts that assist in restoring the client to competency.

MCAT Program Workbook

  • MCAT Program Juvenile Workbook – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    The workbook mirrors the juvenile curriculum structure but is a client-focused resource for practice, providing legal information and concepts along with exercises and activities to reinforce concepts taught within the curriculum and allowing for active client participation and application of knowledge. This resource is a collaborative tool to be used during active training sessions under the guidance of the trainer.
  • MCAT Program Adult Workbook – Restoring Competence to Stand Trial
    The workbook mirrors the adult curriculum structure but is a client-focused resource for practice, providing legal information and concepts along with exercises and activities to reinforce concepts taught within the curriculum and allowing for active client participation and application of knowledge. This resource is a collaborative tool to be used during active training sessions under the guidance of the trainer.

Interactive Learning Tools

  • Interactive Lesson Plans & Activities: Structured activities reinforcing lesson plans and concepts
  • Ladder Activities: Interactive game that reinforces lesson and phase objectives
  • Witness Box Activities: Interactive game that reinforces lesson and phase objectives
  • Competency Restoration Legal Photos: Visual aids illustrating key legal concepts and terms
  • Competency Restoration Flashcards: Learning tools which contain the legal term or concept along with a relevant image on one side and the definition on the other
  • Fill-in-The-Blank Activities: Activities to promote additional learning of key concepts by filling in the key word that would best fit within each sentence
  • Word Search Activities: Activities to promote additional learning of key concepts by finding key words within the word search
  • Crossword Puzzles: Activities to promote additional learning of key concepts by filling in key words within a crossword puzzle
  • Case Closed: Interactive Digital Board Game: Board game that walks the client through a case from arrest through verdict (or judgment with the juvenile gameboard).
  • Guided Audio Activities: Professional relaxation scripts to help clients manage anxiety and improve courtroom conduct.

Client Progress & Attendance Log Tool: Document that tracks client progress in the program as they move through lesson plans, providing estimates for program completion and whether the client is on track to complete the program by their competency restoration timeline end date. This tool is also used to track client attendance so the agency can address and communicate any attendance barriers.

Staff Training – MCAT Program Manual: Guide for MCAT Program staff to understand competency to stand trial and the MCAT Program in addition to guidelines on how to implement the MCAT Program and best practices.

Materials

Video/Audio

Forensic & Competency Insights (Blog)

Professional Development

Continuing Education Credits: Earn APA-accredited CE credits while enhancing your professional expertise through the MCES/J-MCES assessment and MCAT Program training courses. These comprehensive training options help you develop mastery of the tools and methodologies. Learn More

Webinar Schedule
Explore Upcoming Webinars and Training on Our Professional Development Page

Subscription Options
Unlock exclusive benefits with our subscription plans tailored for evaluators and training agencies. Select a training plan for your needs (Standard, Business, or Enterprise) and add an evaluator subscription for a complete competency restoration program. Save with a Plus Plan subscription that includes access to both the juvenile and adult curricula. For more details on all available plans, visit Compare Plans.

FAQs
Have Questions? Visit Our Comprehensive FAQ Page for More Information

Subscribe to a Training Plan!

Explore different training plans, features, and pricing!

Consult with us and Let us Answer Your Questions!

Learn more about our