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Health Officer Liaison Newsletter- February 2026

Health Officer Liaison Unit Update 

Introducing the 2026 Health Officer Scholarship Fund! 

The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Health Officer Liaison Unit (HOLU) is pleased to let municipal city and town health officers and their deputies know that the 2026 Health Officer Scholarship Fund will be open for applications on March 2, 2026.  Scholarships up to $500 are available to support professional development related to their role as health officers. Eligible funding opportunities include, but are not limited to, educational workshops, certifications, conferences, memberships, etc.

To learn more, review the 2026 Health Officer Scholarship Application.doc

Be well,                                                                     

Sophia Johnson, Program Manager

Joanne Cotton, Health Officer Specialist

NH Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Health Officer Liaison Unit 

healthofficer@dhhs.nh.gov.

Septic Evaluator Training

Back by popular demand!

Norway Hill Home Inspections will be offering an in-person "Septic Evaluator" course to municipal health and deputy health officers. This course reviews septic system design, construction, and operation as well as how to identify systems in failure. Attendees are required to participate in a full day of in-person training and a half-day practical of field work. Below are the details:

• Date: May 21st, 2026
• Time: 9am-4pm
• Location: NH DHHS 29 Hazen Drive Concord, NH
• Requirements: Must be a New Hampshire municipal city or town health officer or deputy.
• On-site Practical: The onsite practical field day will be scheduled once a list of attendees has been finalized
• Registration: Only 12 spots are available. Registration closes April 30th. Register for the Septic Evaluator Course.

After taking this class, attendees are welcome to sit for the Septic Evaluator exam to become a licensed septic evaluator, although this is not a requirement of this class. Individuals are responsible for the cost of the exam, although scholarship funds can be used. 

Questions? Email Healthofficer@dhhs.nh.gov

Become a Certified Pool Operator!

The NH Department of Health and Human Services has funding available for health officers interested in becoming a Certified Pool Operator . The Certified Pool Operator course provides comprehensive training on pool and spa operations, including water chemistry, safety protocols, and regulations. Courses are available in person, online, or hybrid.

To learn more about this opportunity, email Healthofficer@dhhs.nh.gov.

Commonly Requested Resources

• Health Officer Nomination Paperwork
• Health Officer Manual
• Cornerstone Trainings

As a reminder, health officers receive an email information on how to register for the Cornerstone website. If you have trouble accessing this site, email healthofficer@dhhs.nh.gov.

2026 Regional Health Officer Meetings

The NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) and the Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) staff are coming to you! Speakers include representatives from the NH DES Subsurface Program to discuss the newly updated septic regulations, and the NHDHHS Adult and Elderly Services program will cover reporting and responding to adult abuse and neglect issues. Meetings are organized in the following locations. All are welcome to attend.

• Kingston: April 3rd from 9am to 11am at the Kingston Fire Department, 148 Main St.
  • Register for the Kingston Regional Meeting
• Lebanon: April 9th from 9am to 11am at the Lebanon Council Chamber, 51 Park St.
  • Register for the Lebanon Regional Meeting
• Berlin: April 16 from 9am to 11am at the Family Resource Center, 164 Main St.
  • Register for the Berlin Regional Meeting

Upcoming Trainings

DHHS HOLU has established a training schedule for 2026. Each month HOLU has partnered with different speakers to bring continuing education and resources to local health officers. All registration information will be sent out via the DHHS health officer list serve.

New Hampshire Health Officer Association   

Join us on May 6^th for the New Hampshire Health Officer Association’s Spring Conference at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester. This full day, in-person event is a great opportunity to network with health officers across the state, meet local vendors, and state agencies. This conference is a great opportunity to learn what activities the Health Officer Association is prioritizing, how you can be involved, along with legislative updates that impact your role as health officer.  The agenda is packed with a full day of engaging topics that include:   

• Green Burials
• Lead Hazards
• Condemning a Building 
• Bed Bugs
• Administrative Inspection Warrants
• Septic Rules Update 

Health Officer Scholarship funds can be used to attend the conference!

Learn more about this conference and register here.