Director of Comprehensive Services

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services in Orange and Sullivan Counties.

The Director of Comprehensive Services is responsible for leading, developing, and integrating comprehensive program services, including Health, Disabilities, Mental Health, Wellness, Family and Community Partnerships, ERSEA, Food and Nutrition Services, and Lactation Support in all locations throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties. This position ensures compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), New York State OCFS regulations, and agency policies. The role includes oversight of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement in collaboration with center-based and agency-wide leadership. Approximately 70% of time is spent on administrative responsibilities and 30% on direct service and field-based support.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Planning

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of child and family health, including screenings, referral, and follow-up; disabilities services and inclusion; mental health and wellness support; family engagement, case management, and goal setting; community partnerships and referrals; eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA); nutrition and food service operations; and prenatal and lactation services.

• Lead agency-wide service area planning, annual self-assessment, and federal and state reviews in areas of responsibility.

• Participate in budget development and manage grants and service area budgets effectively.

• Develop and implement plans to achieve service area goals and compliance.

• Monitor and communicate progress in areas of responsibility.

Program Implementation

• Ensure systems are in place for individualized services, including allergy management, medical accommodations, mental health referrals, IFSP/IEP coordination, and family crisis response.

• Guide staff in ensuring cultural and linguistic responsiveness in service delivery.

• Collaborate with education leadership to support full integration of comprehensive services in classroom and home-based environments as needed.

• Coordinate services and transitions for pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in collaboration with ERSEA and education staff.

Family Partnerships

• Oversee community partnerships and memorandums of understanding (MOUs), ensuring effective referral systems and access to services.

• Support and review transition planning processes between Early Head Start, Head Start, and kindergarten entry.

Communication and Service Coordination

• Collaborate with education leadership to integrate comprehensive services in all settings.

• Serve on the agency’s leadership team and represent the program in external collaborations, advisory councils, and community planning groups.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Oversee data tracking and reporting in Go Engage for all content areas, ensuring documentation is timely, accurate, and used for planning and decision-making.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with HSPPS Subparts C, D, E, F, G, H, and J related to program services.

• Prepare and present program-wide and community data to support high quality, self-sufficiency service to families.

• Develop, implement, analyze, and respond to family surveys that track satisfaction with program components at least twice per program year.

On-Going Monitoring and Self-Assessment

• Conduct regular monitoring and site visits to ensure the quality and integrity of services across centers.

• Collect and prepare monthly reports and quarterly data reports on the progress of the program in meeting service area goals and compliance with the HSPPS.

Human Resources and Supervision

• Supervise and support the Health and Disabilities Manager and the Family and Community Partnerships Manager, ensuring they meet performance expectations and program goals.

• Facilitate staff professional development and training plans aligned with service area goals.

Program Governance and Leadership

• Review and submit service area policies and procedures for approval to the supervisor and Policy Council.

• Recruit and supervise volunteers within assigned service areas, ensuring accurate in-kind documentation is submitted monthly.

Head Start Employee Expectations

• Uphold the shared values of the center.

• Cooperate with co-workers, provide assistance, information, or other support as needed to ensure quality service to children and families, and build and maintain positive staff relationships.

• Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities.

• Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining a safe work environment.

• Demonstrate integrity and responsibility by always doing one’s personal best, being honest and ethical, and following through on commitments.

• Maintain a commitment to professionalism, continue own professional development, and manage performance by setting goals, eliciting feedback, tracking progress, and addressing performance issues promptly. Attend local, state, and regional initiatives to represent the center and develop professionally.

• Exhibit flexibility by showing openness to new ways of doing things and adapting when an initial strategy is unsuccessful.

• Show initiative by identifying what needs to be done and acting before being asked or before the situation requires it.

• Familiarize self with Head Start Performance Standards and any State regulations pertaining to Head Start.

• Stay up to date on changing community needs, services, and agency resources to support families in attaining self-sufficiency and assuring program resources remain relevant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; in Social Work, Public Health, Education, Special Education, or a related field.

• Minimum three years of progressive leadership in early childhood, health, family engagement, or human services.

• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and New York State OCFS childcare regulations.

• Demonstrated experience in supervising multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, data analysis abilities, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Experience with service delivery for diverse populations, including low-income families, children with disabilities, and English-language learners.

• Proficiency in relevant software systems for data management and reporting.

• Ability to work in a professional manner both independently and with others in a team environment.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to perform assigned duties in a safe and efficient manner.

• Able to tolerate occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.

• Able to tolerate daily sitting, working at a computer, and standing to operate various office equipment.

• Able to tolerate daily repetitive hand and wrist motions, including production/copying, keyboarding, and phone work.

• Able to comprehend assignments, determine and prioritize workload, multi-task, problem solve, and meet deadlines.

• Handle frequent in-person, virtual, and phone contact with staff and public, often involving confidential information.

• Pass physical examination, background check, and fingerprinting screen.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. (RECAP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.