Sununu Youth Services Center census down; new Hampstead site and staffing costs central to budget questions

Marie Noonan, director of the Division for Children, Youth and Families, and Nathan White, DHHS CFO, briefed House Division 3 about the Sununu Youth Services Center and the agency’s plans for a new secure treatment facility.

Noonan said SYSC census has declined substantially since it was a 144‑bed facility; typical on‑site counts now range from about 12 to 18 youth. "We ensure that we have an appropriate staffing pattern that allows for the safety of youth and staff," she said, describing awake‑shift staffing of 14 youth counselors on first shift, 15 on second shift, 10 overnight and 15 awake staff on weekends.

Budget and contracts: White told the committee that contract staffing and related operating services drove higher expenses. He identified a $1.3 million contract for staffing and roughly $300,000 annually for a tutoring contract that previously sat in a different class line. White said the department projects roughly $15 million of SYSC expenses for the current biennium; he and Noonan said precise year‑by‑year totals would be provided to the committee.

Body scanner and policy: Committee members asked about a legislatively authorized body‑scanner purchase. Noonan said the scanner has been purchased and is on‑site, but operational policies for parental and youth consent — and gender‑specific procedures — are still in development. "We have the scanner on‑site. We're in the process of creating a policy," she said.

Hampstead campus and shared services: Noonan and White described ongoing negotiations with Dartmouth regarding Hampstead Hospital and a transition services agreement. White said some shared‑service savings are possible but the details depend on Dartmouth’s operational choices and a transition plan. The agency expects the new secure treatment facility in Hampstead to open by late 2026 and said it would not exceed a census of 12 youth per its legislative mandate.

Staffing and overtime: Noonan and White said vacancy rates for youth counselors have fallen, reducing reliance on agency overtime, but they acknowledged the department paid overtime and portal‑to‑portal travel for staff who covered shifts during a period of higher vacancies. The committee pressed for a breakdown of overtime, contract and travel costs included in the governor’s budget; the agency promised follow‑up documentation.

Out‑of‑state placements and medical staffing: Noonan said the state has about 60 children placed out of state — roughly 50 in the New England region and about 8 out of region — and that DCYF continues monthly oversight visits. The agency reported seven nurses assigned to SYSC and noted on‑site dental and hygienist services are contracted.

No formal committee actions occurred. Committee members asked the agency to provide a clearer reconciliation of SYSC expenses, contract line items and the anticipated fiscal impact of the Hampstead transition so the legislature can weigh potential savings and residual costs.