Governor and Executive Council Agenda item PDF - 2026-01-07 - agenda 1

Meeting Date

2026-01-07

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Agenda item PDF

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primary_meeting_attachment

Agenda Numbers

1

Agency Names

Governor And Executive Council Agenda

Parent Meeting Title

Governor and Executive Council meeting - 2026-01-07

Lori A. Weaver

Commissioner

Morlssa Henn

Deput)' Commissioner

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

129 PLEASANT STREET, CONCORD, NH 03301-3857

603-271-9200 1-800-852-3345 Ext. 9200

Fax; 603-271-4912 TOD Access; 1-800-735-2964 www.dhhs.nh.gov

ICJAH 07 zm

December 8, 2025

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte '

and the Honorable Council

State House

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

REQUESTED ACTION

Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services, to enter Into an educational tuition

agreement and to pay said costs in an amount of $1,500.00 as follows:

Institution:

Course Tttle(s):

Course Date{s):

Employee:

Funding Source:

Total Cost of Course(s):

State Share;

Source of Funds:

University of Florida

300 Southwest 13"^ Street

Gainesville, FL 32611

Probiotics

Begin: 01/12/2026

End: 04/22/2026

Caitlin Costello

05-95-95-953010-56770000-066-500544

$1,712.25

$1,500.00

Employee Training; 27.49% Federal, 67.95% General, 4.56% Other

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

EXPLANATION

This education will benefit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Caitlin

Costello by improving the overall efficiency of the employees' work In the Division of Public Health

Services (DPHS). It will enhance Caitlin's knowledge of a wide variety of bacterial and viral

pathogens that affect human health. Caitlin will become more familiar with how microorganisms

interact with each other both in the environment and within human hosts. She then can apply this

knowledge to the clinical testing and the whole-genome sequencing work that she performs within

the NH Public Health Laboratories (NH PHL).

This course, Probiotics, will provide information on how the microbiome influences human health

and the consequences of dysbiosis (an imbalance of microorganisms in your body) in terms of

opportunistic pathogens. It will explore current research into probiotics and symbiotics that can

improve human health and protect against infection and colonization by common pathogens. This

will help Caitlin to deepen her understanding of the One Health approach that combats shared

health threats through a collaborative effort between public health, animal health, and

environmental health professionals. Completing this course is part of Caitlin's pursuit of a Master

of Science in Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry.

Caitlin Costello has been employed with DHHS for almost two (2) years, in the position of 19-

1020 Biological Scientist-3 (Laboratory Scientist III) within the DPHS Bureau of Laboratory

Services. Her current position is in the molecular diagnostics unit funded by the FDA's Laboratory

Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) grant. In this role, Caitlin performs routine pathogen surveillance

in food, sequences bacterial and viral isolates, and carries out clinical specimen testing. Her

regular duties include clinical testing for norovirus, influenza, measles, and many other viral

pathogens. Other responsibilities include new method development, reagent management and

ordering (to maintain laboratory efficiency), and document writing.

The Department of Health and Human Services encourages and supports employees who wish

to further their professional growth through continuing education in disciplines that are mutually

advantageous. Successful completion of the courses will add to the overall strength of the

Department to perform its mission for the residents of New Hampshire.

This course will not be taken on State time.

Attached is a fully executed Tuition Agreement for your review.

Respectfully submitted.

iQj Lori A. Weaver

J^^Commissioner

The Department of Health and Human Services' Mission is to join communities and families

in providing opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence.

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

EDUCATIONAL TUITION AGREEMENT

Agreement dated this day of ^ * 20 3S by and through die Department of Health and Human

Services (hereinafter referred to as the "State) and Tni-l-lin Co5-i^llD

(hereinafter referred to as the "Recipient"). The State and the Recipient do hereby mutually agree as follows:

1. The State shall pay to the named institution the sum of ^[.fiOO.OO, which monies shall be used for the

purpose of enrolling the Recipient in; j^pb.-d-t-i'e S (course name),

which course is being offered by; pP

and which course shall commence on (5 20 3c and terminate on 33 20

2. The Recipient shall complete and achieve a passing grade in each course named in paragraph I.

3. Should the Recipient fail to complete or achieve a passing grade in each course named in paragraph I, the Recipient

shall pay to the State the sum set forth in paragraph 1, provided, however, that if more than one course is named in

paragraph I, the amount which shall be paid to the Stale shall be calculated on a pro rata basis.

4. Upon the satisfactory completion of the courses named in paragraph I, the Recipient shall continue in the employ

of the State in his/her current position (or in such other position, at equal or greater compensation, to which he/she

may be assigned) for a period of six (6) months.

5. The Recipient shall work in any area of the State to which he/she may be assigned, provided that such assignment

will not constitute a severe hardship to said Recipient.

6. Should the Recipient breach any of the conditions set forth in paragraphs 4 and 5, the Recipient shall pay to the

State a sum equal to all monies previously paid by the State for the Recipient pursuant to the Agreement, provided,

however, that the Recipient shall receive a credit fbreach month in which he/she is employed by the State

subsequent to the date upon which the named course(s) are satisfactorily completed, the value of said credit to be

calculated on a pro rata basis.

7. The Recipient shall not raise any setoff or counterclaim against the State in any action brought by the State to

collect any amount due under this agreement.

8. Should any amount be found to be due the State in any action brought against the Recipient pursuant to this

Agreement, the State shall, in addition to said amount, be entitled to an award of costs and a reasonable amount in

"attorney" fees.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the representatives of the State, in his/her official capacity only, and without personal

liability, and the Recipient, have hereunto set their Ohands on the date first above written.

RECIPIENT

(signature) ■ (printed name)

NOTARY State of New Hampshire, County of ^

On this the day of VV ■ 20_22^ before ine, undersigned officer, personally appeared,

r^'\-VV\Y^ r.risVe^o (recipient) known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name issubscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he/she executed the same for the purposes herein contained.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and official seal.

houylzie:

Ststool

Mv Commlfttion EiQins OwamtMr 7,2027

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HOLLY E. ZJEIONKO - Notoiy

State of New HMIHMNra t.otao-Puiyj^/^ot mc fe»ce signature

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DHHS Commissioner or Designer Signature

(printed name, title)

(date)