Head Start Nutrition Health and Safety Advocate

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Head Start Manager, theHealth/Safety and Nutrition Advocateis responsible for general (day to day) supervision of the Cooks, Bus Driver and Disability Advocate; and is responsible for the administration and implementation of the activities in the Head Start Program as outlined in the areas of: Indian Health Services Model Tribal Health and Safety Code, the Child and Adult Care Food program guidelines; Child Health and Development; Child Health and Safety, Child Nutrition, Child Mental Health, Facilities Materials and Equipment, and Transportation support systems following all Head Start Performance Standards, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Policies and Procedures, Indian Health Services Tribal Health and Safety Code and Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines. This position is also responsible for administering the CACFP program for the Education Department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the administration and implementation of the Health, Nutrition, Safety and Transportation areas of the Head Start Program and general supervision and oversight of the Head Start Bus Driver, Cooks and Disability Advocate including review and monitor daily activities, time and attendance records and annual performance appraisals.
• Responsible for the organization and implementation of the annual Health Round-up prior to the beginning of the program year, and ensuring the health/vision/dental/auditory and mental health screenings required for all children are completed within the 45-day time frame; including, conducting lead screening, hearing screening, vision screening, and health screenings.
• Coordinate with the Mentor Teacher, Master Teacher and Disabilities Advocate, Family Services Advocate in conducting and reviewing developmental screenings, assessments, health screenings and classroom observations to ensure that time frames within the Performance Standards are met and files are kept up to date with follow-up and referrals complete and documented throughout the program year.
• Responsible for oversight of the Mental Health area according to the Head Start Performance Standards including; Scheduling of the bi-annual classroom observation to be conducted by a licensed and/or certified mental health professional, assisting the Disabilities Advocate in referral and tracking of follow-up for all children identified as

needing further assessment; including working in close coordination with other staff and classroom to assist with behavioral and mental health needs for the children and in planning and implementing social-emotional interventions in the classroom.

• Develop a health, nutrition, safety and mental health prevention curriculum to be implemented in the classrooms on a monthly basis and provide training to families regularly
• Assist the classroom staff to ensure “individualization” for the health and safety needs of each child.
• Asses and monitor the maintenance and safety of the program on a regular basis to ensure cleanliness and safety.
• Oversee and monitor the transportation services provided to children, working closely with the Bus Driver to insure compliance of the Transportation components of the Performance Standards and assist the bus driver(s) in providing transportation training to children, parents and staff.
• Responsible for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the Education Department; including applications, reports, training, quarterly inspections, training and fiscal tracking.
• Review all food menus with the Tribal Health or CACFP Nutritionist, monitor the monthly menus, monthly reports, shopping lists and receipts for accuracy and analysis; and submit monthly CACFP reports in a timely manner to funding agency, and provide training and educational opportunities to parents and cooks including providing quality food service children and families.
• In coordination with other Head Start staff plan and implement a formal orientation for the families at the beginning of the school year, and arrange training opportunities for staff and parents in the areas of health, safety, transportation and nutrition throughout the school year through in-service training and information and resources.
• Coordinate supportive services for the families encouraging parents/guardians to become involved in all aspects of the health services through; support, guidance and education and
• ensuring that all children have a source of on-going medical care; assisting in completing Medicaid applications, referrals for further evaluation or follow up treatment as needed, and assisting with resources for home and transportation safety.
• Network with health agencies, outside providers, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Health Clinic to provide effective and quality services for the staff, children, and families; Including development of inter-agency agreements between Head Start and other agencies in the community that provide services to children for health and mental health
• Responsible for implementing and facilitating a Health Advisory Committee (HAC) for the RSIC Head Start Program and facilitating meetings on a regular basis.
• Regularly attends administration, staff, Policy Council, and Parent Committee and Safety meetings; attends Tribal Council meetings when requested.
• Maintains and updates annually; policies, procedures, and service plans related to Health, Nutrition, Safety, Transportation and Emergency Procedures; including Short-Term Exclusions and Re-admittance; Medication Administration; Injury Prevention; Hygiene; and First Aid Kits, submitting a monthly report to Head Start Manager on progress of the health, nutrition, safety and transportation areas of the program.
• Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers listening attentively to others; asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions, following rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
• Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person
• Organize records and paperwork processes and consistently demonstrate excellent oral and written communications skills providing ongoing monitoring and assessment of areas related to the position; maintain detailed records of progress and outcomes providing a written, monthly report to the Head Start Manager to measure impact of services and activities provided to the children and families.
• Employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations work under intensive deadlines and interact with management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.
• Participate in weekly/monthly meetings in conjunction with Head Start Program Manager, Teacher Mentor, Master Teacher Disabilities Advocates and other staff to communicate and track progress of children and families to ensure participant growth in meeting goals established in Progress and Planning Reports, health statuses are updated, and progress is being made in meeting IEP goals, and meet individual needs.
• Promote and establish a positive relationship and communicate effectively with other staff and parents using daily communication and implementing positive working relationships with children, families and co-workers
• Communicate on a regular basis verbally, electronically and in writing to the Head Start management staff regarding program issues including concerns and recommendations, related to but not limited to children, families, staff and program.
• Any deviation from regular scheduled work hours and/or activities employee is responsible for finding other staff to fill in for them and getting pre-approved by supervisor.
• Participates in all phases of Head Start and RSIC training program.
• Performs other duties as required to be in compliance with RSIC Personnel Policies, Procedures and the Head start Performance Standards to help meet the needs of the program.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Must have an Associates of Arts degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a Health-related field or a certificate of completion in the medical field and two years related work experience in working with preschool age children. Consideration may be given to applicants possessing an AA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Special Education Social work or a related field with two years work experience in working with health needs of children.

· Able to maintain confidentiality of personal information about children, families, and staff.

· Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position; regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone; also, regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds.

· Able to work with people from diverse cultures, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds with knowledge of Tribal community and sensitivity to Native American Indian needs.

· Must be a minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age at time of hire and be eligible for participation in the RSIC Vehicle Insurance Program;

· Have a valid Driver’s License and current DMV record submitted prior to date of hire;

· Must satisfactorily pass an annual physical examination and TB screening

· Must possess and maintain infant and adult CPR certification, First Aid certification, and a Food Handler’s Certification within three (3) months from date of hire and each year thereafter.

· Must be able to pass pre-employment screening and background checks

PLEASE NOTE: Hiring preference is provided to members of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony followed by members of other federally recognized tribes.

Must pass and comply with the HR Policy 164.905- PL101.630.

Reno-Sparks Indian Colonyrequires any designated candidate to complete a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and confirmation of professional references.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Reno, NV 89502: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $27