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

Morissa Henn

Deputy Commissioner

r>STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES JAN Q? 2026

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

129 PLEASANT STREET, CONCORD, NH 03301-3857

003-271-9200 1-800-852-3345 Ext. 9200

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

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

State House

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

December 8, 2025

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 $3,000.00 as follows:

Institution:

Course Title(s):

Course Date(s):

Employee:

Funding Source:

Total Cost of Course{s):

State Share:

Source of Funds:

Liberty University

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Introduction to Pastoral Counseling: Foundationa! Doctrines for

Pastoral Counselors; Spiritual Formation in Pastoral Counseling;

Trauma Assessment & Intervention

Begin: 01/19/2026

End: 05/15/2026

Ian Rice

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

$3,427.00 (block price for one semester of classes, as listed)

$3,000.00

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 Ian Rice

by improving the overall efficiency of the employee's work in the Division for Children, Youth and

Families (DCYF). It will enhance lan's capacity to provide thoughtful, compassionate support to

the youth in care at the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC). Each course emphasizes

practical methods for alleviating human suffering and promoting personal growth.

The first course, Introduction to Pastoral Counseling, will support the mission of SYSC and the

broader DHHS mission by strengthening lan's ability to promote safety, stability, and emotional

wellbeing of youth. By developing foundational counseling skills, such as empathetic listening,

values-based guidance, and ethically grounded communication, Ian will be better equipped to de-

escalate crises, build trust, and help youth navigate difficult emotions constructively. Foundational

Doctrines for Pastoral Counselors will help Ian to support youth by strengthening his self-

awareness, emotional regulation, and grounding practices, all essential skills for crisis-oriented

work. This Will improve the quality of lan's interactions, strengthen his crisis response skills, and

support his ongoing development as a compassionate and effective caregiver.

Spiritual Formation In Pastoral Counseling will help Ian to cultivate personal resilience, reflective

practice, and a calm therapeutic presence. This will directly benefit the mission of SYSC by

equipping Ian to contribute to a trauma-centered, supportive, and relational environment for the

youth served by DCYF. Trauma Assessment & Intervention will provide Ian with more resources

to assess traumatized individuals and intervene on their behalf. This course will cover physical

and psychological aspects of trauma, which will help Ian to develop compassion and insight into

the condition of youth who are suffering.

Completing these courses is part of lan's pursuit of a master's degree In Pastoral Counseling.

Ian Rice has been employed with DHHS for a little over one (1) year, in the position of 21-1010

Counselor-3 (Youth Counselor) with DCYF. His position within SYSC involves supporting the

youth in care, modeling appropriate behavior, directing and monitoring youth movements,

enforcing the rules of the center, and maintaining the safety of the facility.

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.

Lorl A. Weaver

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.

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THE STATE OF ^®W HAMPSHli^

■ EDUCATIONAL TUITION AGREEMENT

Agreement dated this 19 day of 2025 by and through the Department of Health and Human

Services piereinafter referred to as the "State) and l^n RICQ '.—

(hereinafter referred to as the "Recipient'7. The State and the Recipient do hereby mutually agree as follows;

1. '^e State shall pay to the named institution the sum of $ 3000.00, which monies shall ^ used for the

'..., Tmoni»A»w»m«)l»Wi«v»nrton, IntiptoPiilonHCouwwttij.PguiartlonilCostrtiwterpurpose of enrolling the Recipient in; oowimhis, cpmumi rormnkKi in ptfiwii cwwonfl namej,

which course is being offered by: Liberty University '

and which icourio thall commence on January 19 20 26 and terminate on May IS 20 28.

'2. The Recipirat shall complete and achieve a passing grade in each coone named in paragrt^h 1.

3. Shoidd the Rcdpieot M tP complete or achieve a passing grade in each course named in paragraph 1, ihe R^picnt

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

' ' pttsg^aph l, die amount which shall be pdd to the State shall be calculate on a pro rsta basis.

4. eompletion of the courses named in paragraph 1, die Recipient shall continue in the cn^loy

ofdie in hiSbcr euiTontposition(or in such other portion, at equal or greater compensation, to which hi)?hemay be aiaiBacdl for a period of six rd) monflig.

IbeJ^^ient shall work in any area of the State to which he/she may be assigned, provided that such assignment

will tmt constitute » severe hardship to said Recipient.

Should the Recipient breach any of the conditions let forth in parsgrapbs 4 and 5, the Recipient shall pay to the

State a sum equal to all monies previously paid by the State for the RMipicnt pursuant to the Agreemcirt, provided,

however, that the Recipient shall rqceiye a credit for each month in which he/she is employed by the State

subsequent to the date iglpn which the named coursefs) sre satis&ctorily completed, the value of said credit to be

calculated on a pro rata basis.

x'?. • thqRocipienl shal] not raise any setoff or counterolaira against the State fa any actionbrought by the State to '■ Cbllc^aiiy arooum due TOder this agreement

8. Jhbnfa any inmum be found to be,duo the State fa ahy action brought against the Reciplotrt pursuant to to'. Agreefaeot, the St^ ?ii»l}, fa additicai to said amount be entitled to an awftrd of costs and aieasonabie amount fa' ■, / ■'•/'h,::: ■■ ^

f SillliS f f WitRREOF toe t^cs entativcs of the State, fa his/her oEBciai capacity only,.'and without personalhereunto set their Ohonds on toe date first above written, ^

RECIPIENT ' /T M I. -

5.

6.

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Mfi

(printrd name}

NOXplV /'jy Sfala of New EUaiijihlre, County of

Oaiiii the. ^0^'day ofyTuO. 20 25, befora rrtoSuflildi.(mi W "'15 ('ii

F and apSn wedged tefshe exeq^M ftsubl

le ifa^jgned ©fScer, pcrfoniUy iqfpebred.;

name ia

for tiie purposes herein contained.

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C/Justlce of the Peace

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