Health and Nutrition Manager

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Health & Nutrition Manager leads and oversees all health, nutrition, and wellness services for the program, ensuring full compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Head Start Act, and Colorado Child Care Licensing. This role supervises Health Specialists, Nutrition Supervisor, and contracted RN and Dietitian services, while managing all related vendor and food service contracts. The Manager directs the development of health and nutrition plans, policies, and procedures;

ensures timely completion of child health requirements; and leads the program’s CACFP application, audits, and compliance systems. Additionally, the Manager coordinates the Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) and strengthens partnerships that support child and family well‑being.

• Ensure full compliance with HSPPS, Head Start Act, Colorado Child Licensing, and all federal, state, and local health regulations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the program’s Health and Nutrition Service Plans, including ongoing updates when standards or regulations change.
• Monitor and evaluate health and nutrition operations to maintain program quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Lead development and implementation of health‑related policies and procedures, including medication administration, exclusion policies, chronic health condition management, and emergency response.

• Provide supervision, coaching, and performance management for the Health Specialists and Nutrition Teams.
• Oversee the contracted services of Registered Nurses (RN) and Dietitians, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and goals.
• Coordinate staffing, workflow, training needs, and professional development for health and nutrition teams.
• Ensure staff implement high‑quality practices for screenings, follow‑up, health documentation, family communication, and case management.

• Oversee timely and accurate completion of all child health requirements, including:
  • Medical and dental homes
  • Immunizations
  • Well‑child exams
  • Dental exams
  • Vision/hearing screenings
  • Growth assessments
• Ensure development, review, and implementation of Individual Health Plans (IHPs) for children with chronic health conditions.
• Oversee nutrition services, including menu planning, CACFP alignment, meal modifications, special diets, and growth monitoring.

• Serve as the lead for the annual CACFP application, renewal, and submission process, ensuring full alignment with USDA requirements and state‑level guidance.
• Act as the program’s primary point of contact for all CACFP audits, reviews, and monitoring visits, including preparation of documentation, corrective action responses, and follow‑up.
• Oversee collaboration with the Nutrition Supervisor and contracted food vendors to ensure all menus, production records, meal counts, and service practices meet CACFP requirements.
• Ensure proper training for staff on CACFP procedures, meal service, documentation, and compliance expectations.

• Provide full oversight and management of all health‑ and nutrition‑related contracts, including:
  • Registered Nurse
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Food Services contract
  • Milk Services contract
• Coordinate the scope of work, scheduling, and deliverables for the RN and Dietitian.
• Ensure proper documentation, communication, and compliance from both contracted roles.
• Ensure all contracted partners meet Head Start, Colorado Child Licensing, local public health requirements, and program quality expectations.
• Monitor contract performance, service delivery, compliance documentation, and adherence to scopes of work.
• Coordinate renewal processes, contract reviews, corrective actions, and annual vendor evaluations.
• Maintain strong communication with vendors to ensure timely service, safe food practices, and accurate billing.

• Establish, lead, and maintain a fully functioning Health Services Advisory Committee.
• Recruit members, including medical,…