(Concord, New Hampshire | (October 23, 2025) – Dennis Calcutt, Executive Director of Connected Families NH, has received the Madeline Demeule Behavioral Health Scholarship from New Futures in recognition of his leadership and commitment to advancing behavioral health care for children and families across New Hampshire.
Named in memory of Madeline Demeule, former President and CEO of Hope for NH Recovery, the annual scholarship honors individuals whose advocacy and dedication drive meaningful change in the state’s behavioral health system.
Calcutt was recognized for championing access to care and amplifying the voices of families navigating complex behavioral health challenges. Under his leadership, Connected Families NH—one of New Hampshire’s care management entities administering the FAST Forward, Early Childhood, and Transitional Enhanced Care Coordination (TrECC) programs—provides intensive, community-based support to children and youth with significant behavioral health needs.
“Many of the families we serve are in the middle of crisis,” said Calcutt. “They don’t always have the time, access, or ability to show up at the State House. I believe it’s our responsibility to show up for them to ensure their experiences and their needs are heard.”
A prominent and consistent advocate, Calcutt has testified before legislative committees, co-hosted policy briefings, and met with lawmakers to advance community-based mental health services. His work has helped sustain funding for critical behavioral health supports statewide.
“Dennis was in Concord every single time we asked him to be,” said Emma Sevigny, Children’s Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator at New Futures. “He even stayed past 9 p.m. to speak about the state budget— and that was critical in ensuring that the [988] sustainable funding bill was included in the Senate’s budget proposal this session.”
The principles that guide Connected Families NH—youth-guided, family-driven, trauma-informed, and community-based—are at the heart of Calcutt’s leadership.
“I’m fortunate to receive this recognition because of the people I work with,” Calcutt said. “If we can continue to move this forward, you know, in the end, families are going to benefit.”
Learn more about Connected Families NH at https://connectedfamiliesnh.com/.
About New Futures
New Futures is a nonpartisan nonprofit that works to improve the health and well-being of all Granite Staters. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, New Futures advances public policies that strengthen health systems and expand equitable access to care across New Hampshire.
About Connected Families NH
Connected Families NH provides care coordination and wraparound support services to children and youth with significant behavioral health needs. As part of the FAST Forward system of care, the organization partners with families, schools, providers, and community organizations to ensure children can thrive at home, in school, and in their communities. Learn more at https://connectedfamiliesnh.com/.