Head Start Health & Nutrition Coordinator (Healthcare)

Thinks, communicates and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.Planning
Responsible for the overall planning, administration, and implementation of the nutrition component area.Upholds and, as necessary, revises the Nutrition Services Policies and Procedures.Collaborates with the Head Start Nurse to facilitate the organization of the Health Services Advisory Committee and utilize the committee in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the health and nutrition components.Develops the staff team approach to the delivery of nutrition services to Head Start children.Provides training and support to Head Start Centers in accordance with nutrition requirements and federal food program regulations; develops resources to facilitate safety and compliance.Acts as team leader in implementing the I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) curriculum enhancement and training.Reviews the child's nutrition assessment prior to program entry and growth assessment within 90 days of the child's entry date; recommends and refers for appropriate course of action.Reviews nutrition/health information for Returning Children a minimum of one time during the program year; addresses individual needs as identified.Ensures mechanisms are in place that support communication among staff, parents, and community providers to assure individual nutrition needs are addressed; provides support, resources and, if applicable, a plan of action upon learning of nutrition-related concerns.Develops, reviews, modifies, and evaluates menus to ensure the meal program meets the individual nutritional needs of each child; ensures menus are reflective of cultural preferences and broaden each childs food experience.Conducts on-site kitchen and classroom inspections to ensure that food preparation is being conducted in a safe and sanitary manner and to ensure Head Start (family style) and USDA compliance.Provides input on purchasing practices and makes recommendations for maximizing the use of funds available for program food service.
Ongoing Monitoring and Record-Keeping
Provides monthly statistical data to director in the form of a report.Participates in the programs self-assessment, community assessment, and PIR.Compiles and analyzes data on the effectiveness of the nutrition service component.Collaborates with the Head Start Nurse to implement a comprehensive system of services for preventing health problems and intervening promptly when they do exist.Collaborates with Family Service Advocates and the Head Start Nurse to ensure timely entrance of children to the Head Start program, ensuring all 45/90 day screenings are completed on time.Ensures all confidentiality requirements are met and those who need information can access it.Responds to requests (phone, e-mail and written) from staff related to child nutrition needs/concerns.
Parent Involvement
Promotes, in conjunction with other Head Start staff, active parent involvement in the total Head Start Health Program; for example, parents as members of the Health Services Advisory Committee.Assists the family in assuming the primary responsibility for their own well-being as it relates to nutrition and physical activity.Assists Family Service Advocates in linking the child/family into an ongoing health system. Ensures that parents are involved as full partners in prevention and early intervention.
Health Education
Integrates nutrition education into the total Head Start program and helps to provide nutrition education for parents, staff and children.Provides nutrition education to staff members at Pre-Service training and throughout the program year as needed in conjunction with the Health and Education components; supports education staff in implementing nutrition activities that are incorporated into the classroom.Presents a nutrition education activity/training to at least one parent meeting per center during the program year.Provides individual and/or group nutrition counseling to families as requested or based on assessments.Assists in the development and distribution of written and web-based materials for children, adults and employees within the areas of: personal health, fitness, safety, nutrition and preventive health education.Promotes environmental health and safety practices.
Community Partnerships
Coordinates Health Services Advisory Committee meetings to ensure the health program is responsive to community needs.Serves as a liaison to the health community.Serves as an advocate for child health.Develops partnerships with outside agencies to better meet health and nutrition needs of children and families in Head Start.
Service Coordination
Participates actively in regular leadership team meetings and case conferences, as necessary, to ensure service coordination across Head Start program.Works cooperatively with Family Services to ensure the provision of nutrition services to Head Start children and families.Works to ensure annual approval of Nutrition Service Area plan by policy council, ensuring appropriate policy council involvement in curriculum and assessment decisions.Promotes consistent exchange of information and a cooperative environment among Head Start leadership.Attends parent committee, policy council and board of director meetings as requested.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.