What are the responsibilities and job description for the Health and Nutrition Services Manager position at Action for Boston Community Development?
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.
Key Responsibilities
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 staff in food purchasing, preparation, service and storage, kitchen cleanliness, food handling and dish washing procedures; provides training and technical assistance as needed; and, assist staff, as requested, in maintaining records for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as well as assisting in food preparation when needed.
- Conduct review of learning environment to ensure: that foods are an integral part of the total education program; that mealtime atmosphere is conducive to socialization and development; that meals are served family style; and, that the quality, quantity and size of food served is appropriate to the ages of the children and in compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Participate in the agency's Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) as well as menu planning activities.
- Conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure implementation and purchase of special dietary items based on diet modification plans as well as medical supplies needed.
Collaboration & Communication (30%)
- Work collaboratively with parents to arrange any needed medical, dental, or nutritional examinations and immunizations.
- In collaboration with parents and other staff, develops a written follow-up plan and arranges re-screening, further diagnostic testing, examination and treatment for each child found to have medical, dental or nutritional problems.
- Establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with nutrition, medical and dental communities as well as other community health agencies and partners.
- Respond to requests (phone, email and written) from staff related to children health needs/concerns.
- Identify health, dental, emergency and nutrition service resources within the community; and, helps parents, as needed, in securing a source of accessible health care for their families and providing referrals to community resources.
- Actively participate in a multidisciplinary team approach to provide health and nutrition services to children, families and staff.
- Monitor and update required health and nutrition related postings.
- Responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluating the daily routine of interns.
Utilize Information and Technical Systems (Up to 10%)
- Maintain and monitor a comprehensive record keeping system through documents and through database system.
- Maintain statistical data as requested by the ABCD Head Start administration and in accordance with federal and state regulations
- Maintain and document on-going contact with staff and parents through phone, e-mail and bi-monthly site visits.
Additional Job Responsibilities (Up to 10%)
- Assist with administrative needs as requested.
- Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children, families and neighborhoods served.
- Possess the ability to work and provide support to an ethnically and financially diverse population.
- Demonstrated knowledge of child development, including health, safety, nutrition and special needs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
- Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families.
- Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as database, word processing, e-mail and internet.
- Proven ability to keep accurate written records and documentation.
- Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
- Maintain knowledge of all federal, state, city and program laws, regulations, standards and policies.
- Demonstrated skills in early education, family supports and collaboration.
- Knowledge of neighborhoods served by the program and willingness to travel to all ABCD Head Start programs throughout the city of Boston.
- Knowledge of word processing and data entry computer programs.
- Demonstrated ability to work sensitively with low-income people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently in an organized manner.
- Ability to speak relevant second language to the population served a plus.
Professionalism
- Demonstrated professionalism at all times and seek from supervisor support as needed.
- Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
- Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
- Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.
Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions
- Ability to make frequent significant decisions and demonstrate problem solving abilities.
- Ability to work as a team member collaborating with coworkers, parents and community resources.
- Frequent traveling for home visits, as needed, and off site trainings.
- Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child's needs.
- Lift and move children.
- Lift items based on program administration needs.
- Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
- Must be able to balance and prioritize work load and have strong time management skills.
- Demonstrated expertise of child and community health issues.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of one to three years of experience in health or nutrition services at Head Start, early childhood, or other community health services and a Bachelor’s degree in health or nutrition related field required. Bilingual candidates preferred.
About Action for Boston Community Development
ABCD is the shortest distance between two points — from where you are to where you want to be. Discover the tools and resources you need to move from poverty to stability and from stability to success.
