Health and Nutrition Services Manager

Department: Head Start and Children's Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: ABCD Central Office

Compensation: $36.25 / hour

Description

The Health and Nutrition Services Manager is responsible for providing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive health, oral health, environmental safety and nutrition services for children and families enrolled in ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services, ensuring that services provided are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and that those services are able to support each child’s growth and school readiness.  This position collaborates with parents as partners in health and well-being of their children, and communicates with parents about their child’s health needs and development concerns in a timely and effective manner. The Health and Nutrition Services Manager is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to the center-base and child care partner staff and families and in the community at large.  This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start & Children’s Services policies and procedures.  All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G.  Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position supports the Head Start/Early Head Start and family child care programs. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form. All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Essential Duties

Specialized Health Services Support & Ongoing Monitoring (50%)

• Ensure that all enrollees are up-to-date on a schedule of age appropriate preventive and primary health care within the mandated timeframe and as services become due. 
• Identify new or recurring health needs of enrollees, monitor the implementation of individual health plans, and communicate about health and safety needs of enrollees, their families, and Head Start staff. 
• Assist parents, as needed, with identifying resources to obtain prescribed medications, aids, or equipment for medical and dental conditions.
• Assist in the coordination and obtain informed signed parental consent and release of information for all health, dental and nutritional services provided by the program or its contracted service providers; encourage parental presence and participation at these health services; and, inform parents in writing of the results of all services.
• Conduct developmental health and nutrition screenings and ensure all children have up to date assessments.  These include, but are not limited to, heights, weights, nutrition questionnaire, hearing and vision.
• Provide guidance to staff in the assessment and follow-up of safety concerns and possible identified hazards in the environment.
• Provide technical support to all staff in implementing all dental, health and nutrition requirement, policies and procedures.
• Create and conduct ongoing updates on individual meal plans and diet modifications based on children’s needs or parent cultural preference.
• Participate on community nutrition, health and dental related projects, work groups and initiatives which may be assigned by Health Coordinator.
• Participate in the coordination of the program’s annual self-assessment as directed by program leadership.
• Monitor the ongoing health status and needs of enrolled children by ensuring the completion of daily health checks, the administering of medications per the agency's policy and doctors' orders.
• Provide ongoing support of the food service staff/food provider by monitoring the implementation of the menus, recipes and Food Service Policy.
• Monitor and supports food service