Position Description:

• Serve as a primary liaison for health and wellness between OHS, the National Center, and other relevant agencies.
• Provide subject matter expertise, strategies, and resources to Regional Office and TTA staff on comprehensive health services, such as mental health and environmental health and safety, as well as strategies for engaging families around issues on health.
• Serve as a member of a national peer group of Health Specialists from each of the twelve Head Start regions.
• Formulate and implement strategies grounded in best practices for connecting with grantee health managers and/or coordinators in the Region.
• Aggregate, analyze and disseminate regional and grantee health data to identify problematic patterns and emerging trends impacting Head Start grantees.
• Develop and provide presentations and training on topics related to early childhood health, mental health, safety, and other related topics.
• Provide direct service to individual grantees, at the direction of the Regional Office.
• Support emerging OHS initiatives and priorities.

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of a BA or a BS, from an accredited institution of higher education in one of the following areas; public health, mental health, health education, maternal and child health, or health administration.
  • (Please note if the highest degree was awarded more than a decade ago, the resume should describe courses, seminars, and/or conferences which confirm remaining current with the evolving knowledge base in the field of program design and management.).
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• 5 years’ experience with health services in a Head Start/Early Head Start program specific to the design and implementation of comprehensive health services, with an understanding of the integration of health services to other Head Start service areas.
• Ability to analyze health related data and assist grantees to make data informed driven decisions in order to improve the effectiveness, quality, performance and accountability of the health related aspects of program operations.
• Demonstrated experience with the provision of consultation or TTA related to health services for children birth to five years old over a period of time.
• Knowledge and skills to help grantees prioritize health goals and objectives, including those related to a grantee’s school readiness goals.
• Demonstrated experience addressing the health needs of children from diverse backgrounds. They include: children with special health care needs; children with disabilities; children who are dual language learners; children in family childcare settings; and/or children who are homeless.
• Experience organizing and presenting health related information and facilitating forums for diverse Head Start stakeholder groups.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in public health, mental health, and maternal and child health.
• More than 10 years of experience with disability services, dental services or services to pregnant women in Head Start/Early Head Start.