New England Youth Diversion Summit

06/16/2026

That’s a wrap on the Summit!

This year, we welcomed nearly 300 participants from across the region, representing a diverse range of professions, organizations, and perspectives—all connected by a shared commitment to creating brighter futures for youth and stronger communities.

We had the opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen the partnerships that make this work possible. The conversations, collaboration, and collective dedication in each room served as a powerful reminder that meaningful change happens when we come together with purpose.

To our attendees, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, planning committee, and partners—thank you for your time, expertise, and continued investment in youth and families.

We leave this Summit feeling inspired, energized, and grateful. Thank you for being part of this important work and for helping make this year’s Summit such a success.

Until next time!

06/14/2026

A special thanks to our amazing comfort dogs and their handlers for bringing comfort, connection, and plenty of tail wags to this year's Summit! 🐾

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Thank you to The Ridge Treatment Center!💫

We are grateful to the Ridge Treatment Center for supporting the New England Youth Diversion Summit as a Community Sponsor!

Your partnership helped make this event possible and supported our shared commitment to creating opportunities, connections, and positive outcomes for youth and communities across New England.

Thank you for investing in this work and for being a valued part of this year’s Summit!

06/09/2026

A special thanks to for kicking off our Welcome Reception tonight.

Tomorrow is the big day! 👏🏼

After months of planning, collaboration, and anticipation, we’re excited to welcome attendees from across the region to the New England Youth Diversion Summit.

We can’t wait to learn, connect, and share ideas with all of you. If you’re joining us, be sure to tag us in your posts and share your experience throughout the day—we’d love to see the Summit through your eyes!

See you tomorrow!

06/09/2026

Where statewide strategy meets local impact.

Join Megan Horton, JD and Kay A. Knorr, BA, CRO as they share insights on building systems that support innovation and consistency.

Expanding diversion statewide requires more than vision—it requires structure. Statewide toolkits, program directories, and coordinated guidance are helping jurisdictions strengthen and expand youth diversion access.

Following this session, participants will be able to:
• Evaluate how statewide diversion tools can strengthen local program development.
• Identify one opportunity to expand diversion access within their system.

Megan Horton, JD- Supervisor of the Youth Justice Team at the Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS). She also co-chairs the Youth Justice Oversight Committee’s Diversion Work Group. Megan joined IOCS in 2016 as a Youth Justice Strategist after serving as a local JDAI Coordinator in Allen County.

Kay A. Knorr, BA, CRO- Probation Supervisor with nearly 35 years of experience in the field of probation. For the past two decades, her work has focused on specialized populations involved in the court system, with a strong emphasis on expanding diversion opportunities for youth.

06/08/2026

A sincere thank you to New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center for supporting the New England Youth Diversion Summit as a Presenting Sponsor!

Your support helps make it possible for professionals across New England to come together, share ideas, and advance collaborative approaches that strengthen youth outcomes.

06/07/2026

Shift your mindset. Strengthen your impact.

Heidi Cloutier & Michelle Lennon are teaming up for "Recovery Allyship: What It Means and How to Practice It" to share insights on recovery allyship to transform how to support youth and families impacted by substance use.

You’ll learn how to:
• Use nonjudgmental, recovery-supportive language.
• Reduce stigma in your work.
• Build stronger, more supportive environments.

Heidi Cloutier, MSW – Co-Director of Training, University of New Hampshire Center for Children’s Behavioral Health and Director of Wildcats Recovery. She helped launch New Hampshire’s first Collegiate Recovery Program in 2023, now serving multiple campuses and communities.

Michelle J. Lennon, CRSW– President & CEO of Archways, overseeing Family Resource Centers and Recovery Community Organizations in New Hampshire. She provides national training on peer recovery and family support across medical, treatment, early education and first responder settings.

06/06/2026

3 days to go!

Behind the scenes, the Summit team is hard at work putting together name badges, checking off final to-dos, and getting everything ready for an incredible week ahead. ✨

The excitement is building, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the New England Youth Diversion Summit! Who’s ready? 🙌

06/06/2026

Meet Evenor Pineda, Officer David Lisboa, and Tony Hebert during their session, “Controlled Fire: Where Lived Experience and Law Enforcement Partnerships Ignite Change with High-Risk Youth.”

Discover how an innovative diversion model pairs mentors with lived experience alongside law enforcement to support high-risk youth. Learn how shared accountability and coordinated systems can strengthen engagement and outcomes.

Why attend:
• Analyze how lived-experience mentors enhance engagement and accountability.
• Develop actionable strategies to strengthen collaboration between mentors and system partners.
• Explore practical ways to build sustainable, cross-sector partnerships.

Tony Hebert – Intervention Specialist for CHOICES High-Risk Youth Mentoring Program at Manchester Police Athletic League. Tony combines lived experience with professional training to support young people. His work focuses on holistic well-being, resilience, and positive youth development.

Evenor Pineda – Intervention Services Director at Manchester Police Athletic League and Co-creator of the CHOICES High-Risk Youth Mentoring Program, guiding youth through mentoring, group sessions, and community outreach.

David “Boa” Lisboa – Police Officer and Manchester Police Athletic League Coordinator (MPAL). Born in Vitória, Brazil, David immigrated to the United States in 2005 and became a U.S. citizen in 2013. He graduated from the 166th Class of the New Hampshire Police Academy in 2015.