Child Health Safety Manager (33014)

About the Role

The Child Health Safety Manager is responsible for managing, planning, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive health/dental, environmental safety, and nutrition programs for children and their families. This position involves extensive record keeping, organizing, problem-solving, and time management, as well as interpreting and communicating complex regulations and medical data. The role requires significant interaction with children, staff, parents, and the larger community.

Responsibilities

• Ensures all enrolled children are up-to-date on age-appropriate preventive and primary health care within four weeks of entry and as services become due.
• Collaborates with parents to arrange medical, dental, or nutritional examinations and immunizations, considering parents' work schedules.
• Develops written follow-up plans with parents and staff for children with medical, dental, or nutritional problems, including re-screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment.
• Assists parents in identifying resources for prescribed medications, aids, or equipment for medical and dental conditions.
• Ensures staff obtains signed parental consent and release of information for all health, dental, and nutritional services; informs parents of service results in writing.
• Identifies health, dental, emergency, and nutrition service resources within the community and includes them in the Community Resource Directory.
• Negotiates and develops written agreements/contracts with service providers, prioritizing free or reduced-price services for Head Start.
• Secures services of a qualified Nutrition Consultant, including contract development, credential verification, and scheduling at least eight hours of service per month.
• Plans and delivers training for staff and parents on health, dental, nutrition, and environmental safety topics.
• Develops written health, environmental safety, sanitation, food service, and emergency policies and procedures in compliance with local and state regulations.
• Monitors ongoing health status of enrolled children through daily health checks, medication administration, and implementation of necessary procedures.
• Supervises the Nutrition Services Manager and all Health and Nutrition staff, including performance appraisals and corrective action.
• Coordinates the Nutritionist’s review of classrooms to ensure food integration into the education program, family-style meals, and age-appropriate food quality and quantity.
• Organizes and facilitates the Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC), ensuring required membership and biannual meetings.
• Maintains detailed, accurate, and confidential records, including child health files, health services tracking, and activity documentation.
• Ensures children are familiarized with health services prior to delivery and assists with transportation and translation services as needed.
• Provides parents with records of all services before children leave the program and facilitates transitions for children with ongoing medical needs.
• Participates in case management, parent education planning, supervisory, and management team meetings, as well as interagency and community meetings.
• Attends trainings, reviews regulations, and stays updated on current issues and trends related to the role.
• Advocates for the Head Start program and the health/nutrition needs of migrant farm workers in the community.
• Participates in annual program self-evaluation, grantee monitoring, and compliance with program improvement plans.
• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Requirements

• B.S. in Public Health, Public Health Administration, Health Administration, Health or Human Services, Nutrition and Public Health Services, or a related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Registered Nurse or BSN preferred.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.
• Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, and drug screening prior to hiring.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Five years of supervisory experience required.
• Three years’ experience with special needs population.
• Experience in preschool-aged or Head Start settings preferred.
• Experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations, evaluation, and use of management information systems.
• Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of HIPAA privacy regulations.
• Knowledge of health and safety for young children and families, infection control in child care settings, and case management principles.
• Knowledge of supervision, training, performance evaluation, budget preparation, and control.
• Ability to plan, organize, and oversee early childhood health services in a community-based setting.
• Ability to communicate complex health information clearly to parents and work with diverse groups.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of Head Start/Early Head Start program accreditation requirements.
• Skill in making presentations to groups and communicating with preschool-age children and adults.
• Ability to coordinate activities for young children and parents in home and classroom settings.
• Ability to develop training plans and train adults.
• Ability to oversee subordinate staff and handle confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal daily guidance.
• Knowledge of community resources and experience working in a team setting.
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to the community.
• Knowledge of developmental milestones and needs of young children.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, reach, and climb stairs as needed throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 45 pounds occasionally (e.g., first aid kits, supplies, or small equipment).
• Visual acuity to read reports, inspect facilities for safety hazards, and monitor children’s health-related conditions.
• Hearing ability to respond to emergency signals, child vocalizations, and communicate effectively in noisy environments.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for writing, using office equipment, and conducting basic first aid procedures.
• Ability to move quickly in response to emergency situations.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, occasionally in varying weather conditions, for site inspections or safety drills.
• May be required to travel between program sites and attend community meetings or home visits.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.