Nutrition Consultant

The Nutrition Consultant provides professional nutrition guidance and consultation to support the health, growth, and development of children enrolled in WHSCDA's Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The consultant assists the agency in maintaining nutrition services consistent with Head Start Program Performance Standards, applicable USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, and state and local regulations. The consultant works collaboratively with the Health Manager, education staff, food service personnel, and families to promote healthy eating practices, address individual nutritional needs, and support the delivery of appropriate nutrition services across program sites. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Nutrition Program Oversight •Review menus, recipes, portion sizes, and meal patterns to ensure nutritional adequacy and compliance with applicable Head Start and CACFP requirements. •Provide recommendations for menu planning, substitutions, special diets, and age-appropriate meals for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. •Review nutrition-related policies, procedures, and practices and recommend updates as needed. •Provide consultation regarding food allergies, food intolerances, medically necessary dietary modifications, and other individualized nutrition needs in collaboration with families and appropriate healthcare providers. •Assist with nutrition-related documentation and records required for program compliance. Child Nutrition and Health •Review growth assessment information and assist in identifying children who may require nutrition follow-up. •Provide nutrition recommendations for children with identified nutritional concerns, including underweight, overweight, feeding difficulties, and other nutrition-related risks. •Consult with program staff and families regarding appropriate nutrition interventions and referrals to community resources when indicated. •Support the development and implementation of individualized nutrition plans, as appropriate and within professional scope. Staff and Family Education •Provide nutrition education and resources to staff and families on topics such as healthy eating, age-appropriate nutrition, infant feeding, food safety, and the prevention of childhood obesity. •Offer guidance to classroom and food service staff regarding positive mealtime practices and the development of healthy eating habits. •Participate in staff training, parent education, or program meetings as requested and within the contracted hours. Food Service Consultation •Provide professional guidance to food service staff regarding nutritional standards, meal preparation practices, menu implementation, and special dietary needs. •Conduct periodic reviews of food service practices and make recommendations to improve nutritional quality and compliance. •Collaborate with the Health Manager and food service personnel to address nutrition-related concerns and identify opportunities for improvement. Compliance and Continuous Improvement •Maintain current knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards, CACFP requirements, and applicable nutrition regulations. •Assist with nutrition-related portions of program self-assessment, monitoring, corrective action planning, and continuous quality improvement. •Prepare brief written recommendations, reports, or documentation of consultation activities as requested. •Maintain confidentiality of child, family, and agency information.