Health & Safety Case Manager

Under direct supervision of the Head Start Director, coordinates, implements, accesses, and ensures health services for enrolled families are available. Follows OHS (Office of Head Start) Performance Standards in the areas of Health, Mental Health, Nutrition & Safety. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, & EXPERIENCE

• Current valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen, and background investigation.
• Bachelor's Degree in Health Education, or related field
• Three (3) years’ experience in Early Childhood Education
• One (1) year experience working with children in a classroom, preferably at the pre-school level;
• Experience working with parents of young children preferred;
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervise and oversee work task and activities within the Health, Safety & Nutrition content area.
• Plan, Develop and administer the Ohkay Owingeh Head Start health and safety services program area, ensuring an integrated and comprehensive system of services for children and families.
• Assists in the compilation of data and information for the Program Information Report and family outcomes. Generates, submits, and presents information and reports to Director regarding training, health files and/or concerns.
• Ensure on-going monitoring, tracking, follow-up and analysis of health and nutrition services, including health and nutrition plans.
• Coordinates meetings for Health Services Advisory Committees.
• Assist in the development of operational policies and procedures for complying with the Head Start Performance Standards and Regulations, Indian Health Service and Environmental Health Department.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for assuring all health services goals and objectives for family health outcomes are tracked, reported, and achieved.
• Participates in family conferences addressing the health service needs of children and families.
• Ensures coordination of communication with staff, parents, program consultants and community to enhance services to children and families.
• Ensure coordination of Disaster preparedness.
• Assist, arranges and participates in the health and developmental screening of children and assures screenings are accomplished within 45 days of child's entry into Head Start.
• Encourage parents to observe their child's interaction in the classroom with peers and adults.
• Provide training and guidance to staff, parents, and community on a variety of pertinent topics in the areas of Health, Mental Health, Nutrition and Safety.
• Ensure Head Start families receive program support with questions regarding health services.
• Coordinates ASQ SE child assessments with consultant and teaching staff.
• Coordinates behavioral health screenings and provides results to teachers.
• Observes and monitors children in the classroom setting.
• Refers children who are suspected of having developmental delays to disabilities coordinator.
• Ensures referrals are submitted in a timely manner to the appropriate individuals responsible.
• Coordinate services for children with CHR, Nutritionist, Child Find and regularly follows up on plans.
• Plans, coordinates, and administers Head Start Safety procedures including but not limited to: Monthly Fire Drills and Building Inspections.
• Maintain record keeping and reporting systems, including schedules, timeline, policies and procedures for health, mental health, nutrition, and safety in accordance with the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Maintains a proper tracking system for all Health documents submitted by families and staff.
• Oversees the operation of the nutrition program which includes preparation of meals.
• Enforces proper food handling procedure, ensures cooks are wearing hairnets, gloves and maintaining clean hands and good hygiene practices.
• Receives, prepares reports for meal count information, Cooks trainings and submits to IHS, Nutrition Bureau or other state or federal agencies.
• Conduct on-going monitoring of kitchen to ensure appropriate safety and health practices are followed to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Contribute to the planning of OOHS Menus and assures menu substitutions are made for children with allergies/disabilities.
• Coordinate and provide training to cooks, cook aid, and staff in the areas of CACFP regulations and Head Start performance Standards.
• Receives and reviews for compliance, weekly food inventory, monthly reports, attendance, record menu book.
• Complete Monthly CACFP reimbursements claims.
• Coordinates safety presentations to staff and students.
• Coordinates and schedules teachers for weekly sanitization of all non-porous materials.
• Assists in the proper clean up of bodily fluids and spills.
• Conduct daily Health & Safety checks of playground area.
• Gives presentations to families and community in the areas of Health.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by: conducting research; attending seminars, family conferences, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; and conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS and CERTIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and pueblo customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of the functions and structure of Ohkay Owingeh.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of records management procedures.
• Knowledge of early intervention strategies with children with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in rehabilitating children with disabilities.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and demonstrate leadership and team-building skills with empathy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything, and continually seek improvement in results.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports and create and present detailed, accurate, objective, and effective speeches and presentations.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skill in planning and organizing individualized programs for children in the program.
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in preparing reports and correspondence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee on occasion must assist in the clean-up of bodily fluids or spills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally performed in an office or classroom setting with a moderate noise level. Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required. Travel is required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.