MANCHESTER, N.H.- State officials are asking the Executive Council to approve a temporary wage boost with the hope of both retaining and recruiting workers with the hope of dealing with the critical staffing shortage within the Division of Children Youth and Families, and at the Sununu Youth Services Center.

According to Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver the 5% wage boost would go to 80 youth counselor and supervisory staff positions and 83 juvenile probation officers and support staff in the division of field services in DCYF at a total cost of $1.2 million paid out for each pay period between this week and June 30, 2027.

The wage increase proposal is the latest effort from State officials to address the noticeable increase in violent incidents at the facility which officials say began this past January.