Health & Nutrition Coordinator EHS CCP

Position Summary

The Health & Nutrition Coordinator us responsible for leading and overseeing all health, nutrition, oral health, and CACFP-related systems withing the District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund Early Head Start Child Care Partnership (EHS CCP) program. This position ensures full implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to child health, nutrition, safety practices, and oral hygiene/oral health.

The Health & Nutrition Coordinator services within EHS CCP providers, supports families in accessing medical, dental, and nutrition services, and ensures timely documentation and compliance in ChildPlus and other program systems.

This position is also responsible for managing the Quarterly Health and Mental Health Advisory Committee meetings, ensuring that required advisory supports are active, documented, and aligned with the program needs.

This role works collaboratively across all EHS CCP content areas (Education, Mental Health, Disability, Family Services, Compliance, and leadership) to support the overall well-being and school readiness of infants and toddlers.

Guiding Standards

This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with the following HSPPS, including but not limited to:

• 45 CFR §1302.40 (Child Health Status and Care)
• 45 CFR §1302.41 (Health Services and Follow-Up)
• 45 CFR §1302.42 (Child Health and Safety)
• 45 CFR §1302.43 (Oral Health)
• 45 CFR §1302.44 (Child Nutrition)
• 45 CFR §1302.45 (Child Safety and Injury Prevention)
• 45 CFR §1302.46 (Family Support Services related to health)
• 45 CFR §1302.47 (Safety Practices)
• 45 CFR §1302.101-1302.102 (Management Systems and Quality Improvement)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership: Health, Nutrition, Oral Health, and CACFP

• Lead the implementation of EHS CCP health, nutrition, oral health, and CACFP systems across all partner sites (center-based, FCC, and FCC group settings).
• Ensure health, nutrition, and oral health services are integrated into the overall program design and coordinated across content areas.
• Provide leadership in the development and revision of program policies, procedures, and protocols related to health, nutrition, oral hygiene, medication administration, allergies, and emergency response.
• Support program-wide planning and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts related to health outcomes.

Child Health Tracking, Follow-Up, and Compliance

• Ensure all enrolled children receive required health services and documentation including:
  • Well-child visits
  • Immunizations
  • Lead screening
  • Vision/hearing screening (as applicable)
  • Developmental and behavioral screening coordination with Education/Disabilities/Mental Health
• Ensure follow-up is completed when children are out of compliance, and families receive support to access care.
• Monitor compliance timelines; ensure documentation is entered and maintained in ChildPlus.
• Collaborate with FEA’s to address barriers (insurance, transportation, scheduling, housing instability, etc.)

Oral Health and Oral Hygiene (HSPPS 1301.44)

• Ensure all EHS CCP children are connected to a dental home and receive age-appropriate oral health care.
• Coordinate oral health follow-up, including dental exams, fluoride varnish referrals (when applicable), and treatment plans.
• Provide oral hygiene education and support to families and providers (toothbrushing routines, safe practices, fluoride guidance, etc.).
• Ensure oral health messaging is culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers.
• Support providers in maintaining oral hygiene routines in classrooms when appropriate and consistent with licensing and sanitation standards.

Nutrition Services and CACFP Management (HSPPS 1302.44)

• Oversee and manage CACFP participation and compliance across all EHS CCP partner sites, ensuring alignment with USDA and CACFP requirements.
• Support partner sites in meeting nutrition requirements for infants and toddlers, including:
  • Infant feeding practices
  • Safe bottle preparation and storage
  • Breastmilk handling procedures
  • CACFP alignment and meal pattern compliance
  • Menu review and improvements
• Provide technical assistance to providers on nutrition planning, special diets, and safe feeding practices.
• Ensure proper documentation and implementation of special diet plans and allergy action plans.
• Coordinate with families to support healthy nutrition routines at home.
• Support providers with corrective action planning related to CACFP findings or deficiencies when applicable.

Special Health Care Needs and Medication Plans

• Ensure children with chronic health conditions, allergies, disabilities, or special health care needs have appropriate documentation and plans on file.
• Ensure partner sites maintain and implement:
  • Individualized health care plans
  • Allergy action plans
  • Medication authorization forms
  • Emergency care plans
• Provide guidance and training to provider staff on safe medication administration and documentation.

Provider Partnership, Training, and Technical Assistance

• Conduct regular site visits to monitor implementation and provide coaching/technical assistance.
• Provide training to partner site leadership and staff on:
  • HSPPS health and nutrition requirements
  • Safe sleep and injury prevention
  • Sanitation and infectious disease control
  • Oral hygiene/oral health
  • Medication administration and allergy response
  • CACFP and infant/toddler nutrition best practices
• Support corrective action planning when health or safety concerns are identified.

Health and Safety Practices

• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards related to:
  • Daily health checks
  • Injury prevention
  • Safe sleep practices
  • Supervision and transitions
  • Incident reporting and follow-up
  • Emergency preparedness
• Coordinate with Compliance and program leadership when serious incidents occur, including required reporting and follow-up.

Quarterly Health and Mental Health Advisory Committee (HSPPS)

• Coordinate, facilitate, and manage the program’s Quarterly Health and Mental Health Advisory Committee, ensuring the committee supports continuous program improvement and HSPPS compliance.
• Collaborate with the EHS CCP Senior Mental Health Consultant and program leadership to develop agendas, identify priorities, and ensure participation of appropriate community partners (medical, dental, behavioral health, and nutrition stakeholders).
• Ensure meeting minutes, attendance, recommendations, and follow-up action steps are documented and maintained for monitoring and governance purposes.
• Use advisory committee feedback to inform program policies, training priorities, and health service planning.

Data, Reporting, and CQI

• Maintain accurate systems for tracking health, nutrition, oral health, and CACFP compliance and outcomes.
• Prepare monthly reports for leadership and Policy Council that summarize:
  • Compliance rates
  • Follow-up progress
  • Site-level trends
  • CACFP-related issues and corrective actions
  • Training/TA provided
  • Barriers and next steps
• Use data to identify program trends and support targeted improvement strategies.
• Participate in grant reporting, monitoring preparation, and annual self-assessment processes.

Collaboration Across Content Areas

• Work collaboratively with Education, Disabilities, Mental Health, FEAs, and Compliance to support child and family well-being.
• Participate in case conferencing and coordinated service planning for families with high needs.
• Support family engagement strategies related to health and wellness.

All Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Public Health, Nutrition, Health Education, or a related field required (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in health/nutrition services, preferably in Early Head Start, Head Start, child care partnerships, or early childhood systems.
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of infant/toddler health, nutrition, oral health, and CACFP systems.
• Strong working knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).
• Experience working with diverse families and community health systems in Philadelphia.
• Ability to travel regularly to partner sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• RN, BSN or equivalent credential preferred.
• Experience with ChildPlus or similar data management system.
• Experience providing professional development or training to adult learners.
• Knowledge of CACFP requirements and infant/toddler menu planning

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Excellent organization and documentation
• Trauma-informed and family-centered approach
• Ability to communicate clearly with providers, families, and staff
• Strong problem-solving and follow-through
• Comfort working across systems (health care, EI, DHS, community agencies)
• Promotes a culture of collaboration, compliance, and continuous quality improvement and professionalism

Pension plan participation

Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

Paid time off, including flexible time off, sick leave, and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid schedule: combination of in-office/telecommuting work in Philadelphia; site-visits required

Supportive, mission-driven work environment