The Head Start Health Coordinator supports the Head Start program by planning, administering, and overseeing Health, Dental and Nutrition services and ensuring services are delivered in strict accordance with federal Head Start Performance Standards, Wisconsin Day Care Licensing and the USDA CACFP regulations. Collaborate with the Head Start Administrative and Program Leadership teams to ensure health, wellness, and safety protocols are in place including promotion, prevention, early identification, and intervention strategies.

Head Start is a federal program for preschool children from income eligible families and often has led the early childhood field with a strong, clear, and comprehensive focus on all aspects of healthy development.  Click https://www.uwosh.edu/headstart/  to learn more about UW Oshkosh Head Start.

UW Oshkosh provides a competitive benefits package for all benefit-eligible positions. Click here for more details.

Coordination and oversight of high quality health, dental, nutrition for children and families. (30%)  

1. Support staff to embrace quality initiatives, encourage children/families healthy living and utilize data and information to drive quality decision making.
2. Participate and contribute to monthly leadership meetings.
3. Keeps abreast of changes in Head Start Performance Standards, child care licensing, and best practices related to early childhood health and safety and advises programs as needed.
4. Engage families in their child’s development by encouraging staff understanding of the importance of parental involvement in their child’s health and mental health.
5. Leadership, team building, and coordination with other members of team, content area experts and program staff.

Lead and oversee implementation of Health Services as outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards to support children’s optimal health (medical and dental) outcomes and readiness for school. (30%)

1. Review and monitor Child Health Report (including lead status report) from physician, other health forms as completed by parent, vision & hearing screening results, dental exam forms, Wisconsin Immunization Registry reports, growth assessments, Wisconsin Lead Registry and support parents and Family Resource Specialists’ efforts to ensure timely medical follow-up.
2. Ensures individual Medical Action Plans that require medication at school are reviewed by a Health Professional prior to child presence in the classroom without parent or legal guardian and provides for training of staff for best practices as related to the medical need.
3. Assists in updating Health Related Policies and Procedures and forms. 
4. Makes regular center visits to complete observations to ensure policies and procedures are being followed. Feedback provided to staff and ECC in a timely manner. (a minimum of three times a year).
5. Support staff understanding and follow-through of appropriate Universal Precautions, sanitizing, and disinfection best practice procedures.
6. Supports child medication administration including potential side effects, appropriate documentation, and storage according to current best practices.
7. Monitor and analyze required health data and health follow-up using the current database (ChildPlus) and advise programs of corrective action as needed

Oversee implementation of Nutrition and Oral Health Services as outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards to support children’s optimal health outcomes and readiness for school. (15%)

1. Reviews child nutrition screening forms completed by parents and monitors growth assessments. Assists and advises staff and families regarding any perceived nutritional concerns.
2. Ensures individual Special Diet Statements are reviewed by a health professional prior to child presence in the classroom without parent or legal guardian and provides for training of staff for best practices.
3. Reviews dental exam forms from dental providers. Plans Head Start Dental Days in collaboration with community dental clinics. Supports parents and Family Resource Specialists’ efforts to ensure timely dental follow-up.
4. Assists in updating Nutrition and Oral Health Related Policies and Procedures and forms. 

Provide Professional Development and collaborate in the community. (15%)

1. Assists in professional development training in the area of health, nutrition and safety by providing training or identifying trainers, classes and other training resources; maintains records of training.
2. Supports Family Resource Specialists in connecting Head Start families with needed health related community resources. Support staff and parent understanding of short-term exclusion due to illness and other health-related best practices.
3. Stay abreast of initiatives and developments in the health field.
4. Collaborate and network with Professionals in Community, Health Departments, and School Districts to advocate for children and families; stay abreast of community needs and services. Contribute to the facilitation of the Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee.
5. Provide education, review and oversight of prevention, early identification of potential medical problems and healthy lifestyle. Through participation in parent meetings, staff meetings, monthly newsletter and flyers, assists parents and staff to understand the link between optimal health and readiness to learn.

Supervise, mentor and/or assess staff in implementing health related services. (10%)

1. Oversee and guide the work of all staff who play a role in supporting the health of children and families in accordance with Head Start performance standards.
2. Provide supervisory leadership, consultation, performance appraisals and professional development planning for Nutrition Services staff.
3. Support the orientation process for new staff.
4. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, health, social work or other related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in health and wellness working with young children and/or families.
• One (1) year of supervisory or management experience.
• Two (2) years of experience leading, mentoring, and supporting effective, high-quality services.
• Experience in implementation of standards and regulations.
• One (1) year of experience using a participant database system such as ChildPlus.
• Proficient in navigating technology including Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Excel
• Successful completion of criminal background check
• Valid State of Wisconsin driver’s license
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Masters degree in early childhood education, health, social work or other related field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in management or supervision.
• Three (3) years of experience using a participant data system such as ChildPlus.
• Two (2) years of experience in case management or public health.
• Knowledge of Family Services philosophy.
• Skills and knowledge to access appropriate community resources
• Three (3) or more years of experience in health and wellness working with children and families.
• Two (2) or more years of experience working with Head Start performance standards related to health.
• Familiarity with ethnic background and heritage of families in the program
• Familiarity with the culture of low-income families and the issues of homelessness
• Demonstrates an ability to formulate strategic planning and execute strategic initiatives
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Child Care licensing regulations and Head Start performance standards
• Certified trainer in CPR and First Aid or ability to obtain after hire

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Must be able to interact with preschool age children, including:  moving and reacting quickly when necessary to ensure safety of children; lifting or carrying a child in order to provide assistance and/or to respond to an unsafe situation; standing, sitting, bending, climbing in/out of van and/or bus; stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling to interact with children at their level; carry thirty (30) to fifty (50) pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.

Applicants must submit the following documents using the online application: Resume and Cover Letter

For questions regarding your application and additional options to apply, contact Human Resources at recruitment@uwosh.edu or 920-424-1166.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by February 12th are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

AA/EO Statement
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. We strongly encourage women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans to apply. UWO, in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status.

DEI Statement
Diversity drives innovation, creativity, and progress. At the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, the culture, identities, life experiences, unique abilities, and talents of every individual contribute to the foundation of our success. Creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment is of paramount importance to us. This pursuit prepares all of us to be global citizens who will contribute to the betterment of the world. We are committed to a university culture that provides everyone with the opportunity to thrive.

Reasonable Accommodations
UWO provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact afaction@uwosh.edu or 920-424-1166. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWO is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWO will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Work Authorization
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWO Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://uwosh.edu/police/, or call UWO Police Department, at (920) 424-1212 for a paper copy.