Family Health & Resource Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Family Star Montessori is actively seeking a fulltime bilingual Family Health & Resource Advocate for our NE Denver location. This position is part of a team that provides optimal health and comprehensive services for children, families and the Family Star community in accordance to the standards of Early Head Star/Head Start, Colorado Child Care Licensing, and our mission.

The Family Health & Resource Advocate manages health and nutrition services for children, implement and support ongoing health initiatives and other special projects promoting health literacy, equity, and food access. This role is also responsible for administering and facilitating health services and collaborates with the School, Family Services and Child Services staff to provide quality health and nutrition services for enrolled children. This role is a fulltime non-exempt position that reports directly to the Health Nutrition Program Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Health Service Management

• Collect, interpret, and enter health assessments and medical record data for children via Child Outcome Planning & Administration (COPA) and Visit Tracker platforms as relevant.
• Establish and maintain ongoing schedule of monitoring and program evaluation in areas of health and nutrition.
• Maintain comprehensive data for Headstart program information report and other funding sources
• Reinforce appropriate health and safety practices and information in compliance with federal, state and local mandated rules and regulations.
• Coordinate and administer health screenings including onsite facilitation, generating referrals and tracking child outcomes.
• Provide consultation and support for children with special health or nutrition needs including in the school setting.
• Collaborate with relevant consultants and medical personnel to ensure child needs are identified and pertinent interventions and school support are provided as needed including individualized health care management plans.
  Nutrition Service Coordination
• Coordinate school nutrition services.
• Provide daily oversight of the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, including monitoring menus and food preparation/handling practices in compliance with the USDA rules.
• Overseeing weekly food ordering and coordinating implementation of quarterly Sponsor of Centers site reviews.
• Manage school menus and special diet accommodations, medical restrictions and cultural/religious needs.
• Provide support to Nutrition Assistants as needed.
• Provide regular support to Food Collaborative and food access initiatives
• Coordinate and provide direction and support to food access partners, such as Denver Food Rescue, Community leaders, Family Star volunteers, and staff in partnership with Child Services Director.
  General Health and Nutrition Program Administration
• Collaborate with other child services, family services and school staff to ensure child needs are met in the school or home-based setting.
• Collaborate with caregivers and staff to support and address child health goals and provide relevant consultation.
• Provide one-on-one support to connect families to services; support follow up on health referrals or health care plans.
• Provide consultation and act as a resource in child health and nutrition for caregivers and staff.
• In partnership with the Nurse Consultant and Child Services Director, recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives for the Health and Nutrition Services program area.
• Respond to and resolve inquiries, complaints, or health/safety concerns reported by staff or families
• Develop communications on health-related topics for caregivers and staff including ongoing correspondence, referrals, resources and education.

Assist in development of written policies, standard operating procedures, health and nutrition related work plans, training plans and survey tools in both English and in Spanish.

Support Child Services Initiatives

• Provide administrative support related to tracking of health and nutrition related services as needed for Family Star, grant reporting and partners.
• Collect qualitative and quantitative program usage data for children and families.
• Evaluate services to determine community needs, interests and changes over time and update services and operations accordingly.
• Provide content area expertise for development of new initiatives and innovations to best serve children and families.

Build and Maintain Community Partnerships

• Ensure professional and timely communication with community partners.
• Ensure necessary requirements of participation with community partners are maintained and tracked as needed.
• Build community partnerships with providers of health services and relevant educational resources.
• Coordinate health education and family engagement activities for caregivers.
• Participate in the Health Services Advisory Committee and engages committee members on topics relevant to community needs and health/nutrition service delivery.
  Professional Development
• Participate in team meetings, supervisor check-ins, group and individual reflective sessions.
• Participate in recommended training programs, educational conferences, professional days, staff meetings, and other courses pertinent to professional growth.
• Stays abreast of trends and innovations in health/nutrition services field.
• Collaborate with Supervisor to develop and implement professional development plan and goals.
• Demonstrate creative initiative in finding new and better ways to do things and seek to improve the program.
• Maintain confidentiality with children, families and staff at all times.
• Maintain positive work attitude; share information with appropriate persons or supervisor.
• Treat program participants and community members with positive regard and respect.
• Follow ALL policies & procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook or otherwise.
• Maintain and update work plans.
• Follow attendance policies and procedures.

Minimum Requirements:

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Ability to fluently write, read, and speak both English & Spanish
• Experience with computers and adept in commonly used software for email, internet, word processing, and data collection.
• Must be able to work the hours of the position based on the organizations and familys needs
• Must be motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude with a commitment to customer service toward diverse populations with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Must have oral and written proficiency in the English and Spanish languages.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment background check, physical, and TB test post offer.
• Must be able to travel to locations around the Denver Metro area. Possess a personal vehicle and valid drivers license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in a health, public health and/or nutrition-related area
• Familiarity with dental and healthcare benefits, providers, and community support services
• Experience in the field of infant and child health, public health, or nutrition
• Knowledge of state childcare licensing and public health regulations
• Knowledge of Early Head Start/Head Start programming

About Family Star
For over 35 years, Family Star Montessoris two Denver locations have been transforming early childhood education by uniquely combining Montessori philosophy with Early Head Start/Head Start programing. We believe in creating nurturing spaces for every child, which is essential in preparation for a successful future and of a lifetime of learning. Family Star supports the individual needs of each child and empowers them to achieve their human potential, resulting in students who grow up to be more confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens - accountable to both them and their community; who think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly and with integrity. Family Star provides eligible employees Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability & Life insurance as well as 401(k) Retirement plan with company match, and generous paid holidays and PTO.

Family Star Montessori is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply, however unable to sponsor work visa at this time, so must be eligible to work in the United States.

Be part of the Family at Family Star by applying today at FamilyStar.net/Careers !

Benefits include:

• 401(k) with Company Match
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance