Educare DC
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Educare DC serves over 350 children from birth to five years – and their families – through our state-of-the-art center and through community partnerships. Building on the program foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start and accredited by NAEYC, Educare DC promotes school readiness by providing high-quality, comprehensive early learning programming for children who are historically underserved due to systemic racism, eliminating the opportunity gap often experienced by low-income communities. Educare DC is part of the 25-school Educare Learning Network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies nationally and within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive, research-based approach to the first five years of life and learning. Educare DC draws on a blend of private and public dollars, including federal childcare funding, Early Head Start, Pre-K, and other state and federal funding streams. POSITION OVERVIEW
The Child Nutrition Services Specialist coordinates components of the Head Start child nutrition program and USDA CACFP. This position must assess all enrolled children and families for nutritional needs. This position is also responsible for reviewing menus and creating special diets to accommodate children with specific dietary needs; coordinating food service operations; developing and overseeing nutritional training to staff and parents, through direct training, monitoring and technical assistance to programs systems and services as outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide on-site technical assistance in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. Collaborate, plan nutrition activities, and areas of discussion with Comprehensive Services Managers, Mentor Teachers, and School Directors to ensure that systems are in place for all programs to support the nutritional needs of children and families. Work with community partners and agencies, National CACFP, and OSSE CACFP to provide resources and nutrition information for children and families in the program. Carry out goals, policies and activities designed to implement objectives and program standards; update the annual plan in conjunction with the appropriate Head Start Policy Committee. Enter all nutrition assessments and other data pertaining to nutrition information collected using Child Plus database for all enrolled children under Educare DC and partner sites. Record and enter data in OSSE Orchard CACFP for Nutrition Agreement applications and monitoring compliance. Record and assess results of the internal monitoring to suggest and implement improvement strategies based on program needs. Work with each site to develop a schedule to ensure CACFP compliance, such as observing at mealtimes, point of meal service, and attendance. Must work collaboratively with Fiscal staff to ensure data and reports are accurate for CACFP meal reimbursement. Training and Development
Ensure that Food Handlers training and/or Food Service Managers certification remains compliant with OSSE CACFP and Head Start Program Performance Standard. Ensure that staff receives all CACFP required training annually. Remain current on changes in child nutrition regulations and best practices. Establish collaborative agreements with local food service and child nutrition partners within the Washington, DC area. Administrative
Identify children with food allergies and create individual meal plans to support child’s nutritional needs. Create a list of children with dietary restrictions & accommodation to post inside the classroom. Coordinate with Comprehensive Services Manager (CSM) and Food Service staff in implementing menu substitutes for children with food allergies. Coordinate with CSM in creating individualized menu for children with feeding concerns and/or food allergies. Monitor family style dining to ensure that it is being implemented and practiced. Work with teaching staff to implement Nutrition Education into the classrooms. Collaborate with CSM and teaching staff concerning safe breastfeeding and infant feeding practices. Partner with food service staff to ensure substitute meals are identified and given to children as needed. Make home visits as needed. EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES
At least three (3) years of experience in a child nutrition-related position working directly with children and families. Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team in a school setting - Early Childhood/Head Start preferred. Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards. Knowledge of OSSE CACFP licensing requirements. Experience collaborating with families and facilitating collaborative teaming between families, teachers and school-based family support staff. Ability to exercise professional judgment in making decisions. Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with parents, school personnel and community partners. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the Head Start/Early Head Start childhood population and its unique child nutritional needs. Use a computer and various software applications. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Public Health or related field of study ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
Clearance of background checks as required by local, state and federal regulations. Physical examination and diagnostic tests as required by local, state and federal regulations. Annual physical exam, drug screen, COVID 19 vaccination and TB test are required as a condition of continual employment. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Advanced command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written. Must be able to lift 40 pounds. Must be able to travel locally. Experience working successfully with a culturally diverse staff and clients. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function. This position may work 40 or more hours per week.
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Educare DC serves over 350 children from birth to five years – and their families – through our state-of-the-art center and through community partnerships. Building on the program foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start and accredited by NAEYC, Educare DC promotes school readiness by providing high-quality, comprehensive early learning programming for children who are historically underserved due to systemic racism, eliminating the opportunity gap often experienced by low-income communities. Educare DC is part of the 25-school Educare Learning Network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies nationally and within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive, research-based approach to the first five years of life and learning. Educare DC draws on a blend of private and public dollars, including federal childcare funding, Early Head Start, Pre-K, and other state and federal funding streams. POSITION OVERVIEW
The Child Nutrition Services Specialist coordinates components of the Head Start child nutrition program and USDA CACFP. This position must assess all enrolled children and families for nutritional needs. This position is also responsible for reviewing menus and creating special diets to accommodate children with specific dietary needs; coordinating food service operations; developing and overseeing nutritional training to staff and parents, through direct training, monitoring and technical assistance to programs systems and services as outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide on-site technical assistance in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. Collaborate, plan nutrition activities, and areas of discussion with Comprehensive Services Managers, Mentor Teachers, and School Directors to ensure that systems are in place for all programs to support the nutritional needs of children and families. Work with community partners and agencies, National CACFP, and OSSE CACFP to provide resources and nutrition information for children and families in the program. Carry out goals, policies and activities designed to implement objectives and program standards; update the annual plan in conjunction with the appropriate Head Start Policy Committee. Enter all nutrition assessments and other data pertaining to nutrition information collected using Child Plus database for all enrolled children under Educare DC and partner sites. Record and enter data in OSSE Orchard CACFP for Nutrition Agreement applications and monitoring compliance. Record and assess results of the internal monitoring to suggest and implement improvement strategies based on program needs. Work with each site to develop a schedule to ensure CACFP compliance, such as observing at mealtimes, point of meal service, and attendance. Must work collaboratively with Fiscal staff to ensure data and reports are accurate for CACFP meal reimbursement. Training and Development
Ensure that Food Handlers training and/or Food Service Managers certification remains compliant with OSSE CACFP and Head Start Program Performance Standard. Ensure that staff receives all CACFP required training annually. Remain current on changes in child nutrition regulations and best practices. Establish collaborative agreements with local food service and child nutrition partners within the Washington, DC area. Administrative
Identify children with food allergies and create individual meal plans to support child’s nutritional needs. Create a list of children with dietary restrictions & accommodation to post inside the classroom. Coordinate with Comprehensive Services Manager (CSM) and Food Service staff in implementing menu substitutes for children with food allergies. Coordinate with CSM in creating individualized menu for children with feeding concerns and/or food allergies. Monitor family style dining to ensure that it is being implemented and practiced. Work with teaching staff to implement Nutrition Education into the classrooms. Collaborate with CSM and teaching staff concerning safe breastfeeding and infant feeding practices. Partner with food service staff to ensure substitute meals are identified and given to children as needed. Make home visits as needed. EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES
At least three (3) years of experience in a child nutrition-related position working directly with children and families. Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team in a school setting - Early Childhood/Head Start preferred. Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards. Knowledge of OSSE CACFP licensing requirements. Experience collaborating with families and facilitating collaborative teaming between families, teachers and school-based family support staff. Ability to exercise professional judgment in making decisions. Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with parents, school personnel and community partners. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the Head Start/Early Head Start childhood population and its unique child nutritional needs. Use a computer and various software applications. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Public Health or related field of study ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
Clearance of background checks as required by local, state and federal regulations. Physical examination and diagnostic tests as required by local, state and federal regulations. Annual physical exam, drug screen, COVID 19 vaccination and TB test are required as a condition of continual employment. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Advanced command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written. Must be able to lift 40 pounds. Must be able to travel locally. Experience working successfully with a culturally diverse staff and clients. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function. This position may work 40 or more hours per week.
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